River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-04-24
EQUAL TO THE TEST.
It Was Laura He Loved and Not
Laura's Face.

Et Was Laura He Loved and Not
Laura's Face.
"Her face was her fortune," Rosa Hill
ton sang, saucily, when her cousin Lau-
as engagement to Max Creighton was
announced.
Lucky for her that she is pretty"
said Mrs. Hilton. fretfully; for that lady
lad hoped that the visits of the young
Millionaire were intended for her daugh-
ier. not her niece.
Eyes" said third vOice-that of Ar
hur HiltOn-s'it is hard lines for a girl
without a penny to be ugly. too. But
after all, Laura has brains as well as
rood looks, and sings like a seraph,
after which period to my speech, will
iepart. Goodbye, Rosa; present my
congratulations the bride-electI'
And Arthur departed to his chambers
n York, where he waited patiently for
ais first client being a man needing
patience, namely, a new-fiedCed harris
er. As soon as he left Mrs Hilton
'rOke into q string Of fr,tful COM
Ilaints.
elf Laura was going to marry Will
Fielding now. or any other of Arthur's
rOnies, it would not be so bad" she
aid, because as poor mans bride she
ould not expect an expensive trous-
eau But for our own credit we must
i've her handsome outfit; and be-
MPen Arthur's expenses and yours |
IN sure i don't see how it is to be
One."
And then her heart smOte her. for
aura came in dressed for walking, and
must have heard her last words.
She had not half meant them, for,
.fter her weak, selfish fashion. she was
Ond of her dead sisters lovely child.
md would not willingly have wounded
Ter. But Laura, a trifie paler than
Isual, only said: Il promised to call
IpOn Mrs Creighton this morning,
Iunt Carrie. as she is not well, and re-
,uested that l would waive ceremony,
nd not wait for her"
Are you warmly wrapped up? 1t
very cold" her aunt said, with an
,xtra touch of affection in her tone,
make amends for her unlucky speech.
Yes. thank you. I'll get the ribbon
or your sash, if you wish, Rosa. have
piece of your dress in my purse"
So she left them, with a pleasant
mile, trying to think she had misun-
.erstoOd her aunt's words For Laura
darstOn was of a sunny temperament,
me who found silver Innings to all the
LIQUIDS, and they had been numerous,
hat had darkened her young life.
She had been tried by poverty, had
Iursed her father through consumption,
eaching music in a large seminary at
he same time, to earn bread for both.
Nhea she accepted her aunt's invita-
ion 20 visit her, after her fathers
leath, she had intended only TO remain
. few weeks and return 70 the seminary,
where a position as resident gOverness
lad been offered 70 her. But Mrs. Hill
on had urged her to stay, and Rosa
ave her warmest love and welcome.
So two years of rest and content
,assed quickly in the luxurious home,
sad now she was to go to a new home of
wn, Max Creighton's wife
&c was a good match, in a worldly
point Of view-a great catch for a pen
Iiless girl; but Laura never thought of
wealth or position when she promised
% be Max CreightOn's wife.
She walked briskly through the win
ser air, till she reached Mrs Creigh-
IONS. and spent a happy morning; for
he lady gave her cordial welcome as
laughter, and let her feel that she was
entirely happy in her sons choice.
There were some weeks of happiness
iOllOwing the engagement-weeks when
Mrs. Creighton and her son threw much
brightness into the life of the young be-
EOthed. and then sorrow caSle in
eparatiOn of the lovers II became
necessary for Max to go to England to
.Ook after some property his father had
owned there, and he was unwilling TO
nave Laura cross the ocean in winter.
A proposal of immediate marriage and a
European bridal trip had been made.
but Mrs Hilton and Mrs Creighton OPP
pOssed il and Max did not press it ur-
gently.
The business that called him to En-
gland would probably engrOss all his
time, and he knew that there must he
many dull. lonely days for his bride. if
she was his companion SO he left her,
hoping to return in two months or three,
and have happy wedding in the spring.
It was only natural that during the
absence of the son and lover Mrs
Creighton and Laura should be often to-
gether. There was a strong, mutual af-
lection TO make the hours Of intercourse
pass happily; and Mrs. Hilton and Rosa
had a new occupation in preparing a
scented to make viii Fielding a happy
man. rather to her mothers secret dis
appointment
In Mrs Creighton's house Laura
learned much of the tastes and habits
Of her betrothed, and il became an al
most painful certainty to her that one
of the ruling passions of his heart was
q love Of beauty in all its forms. His
mother often spoke of the shuddering
disgust with which, as a boy, he had
shrunk from a repulsive face or I'M
slightly form. And she said that, though
he had conquered the outward express
sion Of such recoiling, she was sure he
still felt the same repulsion in man
hood.
She would show Laura the portfolio
of c-ayon portraits Max had made of his
fair betrothed: and Laura. half-pleased,
half-saddened. saw her own beautiful
face in many varied expressions Now
sad. it was a madonna; now laughing, a
nymph; now. with Inspired eyes, a St
Cecilia; till it became painfully appar-
ent to Laura that for her great beauty
more than aught else Max had given
her his love.
The second week Of Max Creighton's
departure was passing, when mis- mother
was taken il with a feverish attack
that seemed slight. Laura had been
helping Mrs Hilton in some of her in
term nable shopping, and had not seen
her dear old friend for three days,when,