River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-04-16

Hugh, waitr' then added: Miss
Merrill, my brother"
lie knew her in the dim light of the
hallway, but. her eyes being dazzled
by the change from outer darkness to
inward light, failed to recognize him.
which was not so strange, since she
had long ago forgotten him and his
nose.
After that he met her often. but never
once alluded 10 their first meeting. as
he saw she did not in the least remem-
Der him He very seldom spoke To her
more than required by common court
esy. She regarded him as rather a
dry young man, not in the least in
teresting. but real good, poor soul,
which is perhaps the most damnatory
praise a woman can bestow oS a man.
As she was impetuous and not analyt-
zeal her opinion was formed on the in
slant and was unfair To him.
He admired her of course. as she
possessed all the qualities in which he
was most lacking. But he was analyt-
zeal. and decided that some of her inn
pulses needed restraining, and rash
ness Of speech. 10 which she was given.
toning down. Nor would he have OBJ
jected To the task had it not been for
his benumbing timidity.
But fate had not forgotten him. One
day she sent him. ostensibly on bust
ness, To the tenth story of the Mohawk
building. On the ninth was the con-
servatory where Elinor studied and
taught The business completed, he
L. Il 4.
and ninth floors the old dame oiled the
wheels of the elevator so they glided
along perfectly. At the ninth they
stopped for a single passenger, and as
il had already been ordained, it was
she-the she that fate had selected for
him and introduced with so much en-
phasis- The elevator being a good
one. moved smoothly on its earthward
way. and would have accomplished its
task had not fate appointed it to hang.
stuck fast between the fifth and sixth
floors. The boy in charge jerled up
and down. signalled and called, all to
no purpose; for there are powers SUI
pcrior Ia man and mechanism. and
there it was destined to stay for time.
Now was the time appointed for
Elinor To recognize and appreciate
qualities in Hugh whose existence she
had not suspected nor been interested
enough TO try To discover.
At first the suspension in midair was
rather amusing. but after a quarter of
an hour had passed and they were yet
suspended she began to lose courage.
"Oh. Mr. Rayburn. do You think
there's any danger? VIII we ever get
out Of this terrible place." and she i'm
pulsively clutched his arm. They were
both standing, and before replying he
gently unclasped her fingers, and, hold
ing the trembling hand. said, quietly:
1T viii be al right. II is only a
momentary delay. lou would better
SIT down here.
lie seated her and taking a place be
side her continued holding her hand.
which chung tightly TO his. and of
which in her terror she was entirely
unconscious. He had never elaSped
girls hand 50 before, and yet he felt
not the slightest embarrassment in the
situation. Indeed he would have en-
jnvcd it had il not been for her distress.
lie talked 10 her soothingly. and she
tried 10 he brave. while the boy pulled
the cables frantically, and shouts
reached them from above and below.
Finally she burst into tears. and with
ont thought of improperly. or any
thing of like nature. buried her face on
the shoulder Of the now silent Hugh.
where she sobbed until her over
wrought nerves were relieved and her
fears >oothed 10y his gentle words Of
encouragement. Then recalling pro
prieties She sat mp and wiped her eyes.
Mr.. Rayburn. fate seems To have
selected rs for companions in mis-
fortune
lie laughed and said; Yes; and this
i not our first encounter with her.
Our first, What do You mean?"
For answer he drew from his pocket
long business-lilSe pocketbook and
opening IL took from one compartment
a little white scrap. This he gravely I'M
folded and spread on his knees as he
said.
That i her sign manual
Elinor. reading the name he pointed
to. exclaimed:
My handkerchief: Where did you
get it2~
Il got II. and blow on the nose.
that nearly stove it through my head
AZ the same time"
She looked amazed and said: Was IL
vou2 And I've never recognized you all
this time
lie looked at her smilingly. and re.
placing his treasure, said.
Yes. I agree with you l think fate
has selected Us for companions. but not
tniy in misfortune. hope"
She blushed and glanced At the boy,