River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-10-20

ton's2~ inquired the fair driver in a
sweet voice which won Hugh's interest
I at once.
/! i am here and waiting. thanl. YOU, 4"
/ returned Hugh for himself, smiling
I pleasantly as he came forward on the
station platform.
i came TO drive you to Mrs. Thurs
toms, " she answered, simply.
shall take the reins?" he asked as
they started away.
NO. thank you: like to drive" she
answered.
1T was too bad for you to take SO
I long a drive for a stranger" he re-
marked as he stole a side glance of ad-
miration at the girlish form in dainty
blue.
I ''oh. didn't mind the distance at all;
/ besides, | rather had TO come" she re-
piled II did wish to go with the young
folks, who are having a picnic this
morning over on Laurel Hin. but Uncle
Jerry was sick. of course he
+ couldn't come for sou.
Then Mrs. Thurston and Miss
Wayne never drive, 50 they made a
/ virtue of necessity and sent the last re-
sort Of the place." and she laughed
merriiy.
/. 1t Is too bad my coming prevented
you Joining the picnickers, he said.
Il shall not be able to forgive myself. ="
/ That's nothing. | am enjoying my
self now too well TO think of Laurel
HILL she returned, brightly.
i Thank you. and at the same time
let me assure you that /. too, am en-
/ joying myself excellently WELL" and
Hugh bowed to the young girl. whose
/ eyes dropped beneath the warm light
of admiration in his blue ones.
Il hope you will enjoy your visit.
/ Mr.. COlewOod." she said, to change the
subject. II know Mrs. Thurston and
Ethel will do all they can to make
/ Your stay pleasant"
i Thank you; I've no doubt I shall
f find it pleasant, returned Hugh. "You,
/ too. are one of Mrs. Thurston's sum-
mer household. ! SUPPOSE"
Yes, with a smile. You see am
a distant relative to Mrs. Thurston;
then Miss Wayne is my cousin. and ex-
/ ercises kind of cousinly guardianship
/ over me. which no doubt is very neces-
( sary."
/ 80 you are Miss Wavne's cousin?
/ do not remember hearing Mr.. Cranston
mention you. l did not expect to have
the pleasure of meeting any ladies but
Miss Thurstou and Miss Wayne"
How unkind in Mr.. Crauston not to
I prepare you for this meeting" and
there was a roguish gleam in her eyes
which Hugh did not see. Il had up to
A. i.
my very test friends. but to ignore me
so utterly. when he knew I would ac-
company Cousin Ethel here. looks like
downright intentional neglect"
You have not given me the pleasure
of knowing your name" said Hugh,
{ both amused and pleased wi h his pref
/ ~ driver.
''Oh, I'm a Wayne. too. she answered,
laughingly. Ethel Estella WAYNE,
variously nicknamed. as you will OBJ
serve later on.
Two Ethel Waynesi Here was a
real surprise for Colewood Why had
Cranston not mentioned that strange
fact to him?
If the Ethel Wayne referred to in the
will was only half as animated and
generally captivating as the one by his
side Hugh thought it might be an easy
matter after all TO obey that condition
which had so vexed him.
Colewood received a cordial welcome
at Mrs. ThurstOn's pleasant home. lie
found Miss Wayne to be a tall. digni-
fed girl of about tweniy-three. with
coal black hair and deep gray eyes.
She was as unlike her little merry
hearted cousin as il was possible to be.
Yes. Hugh decided she was just such
a woman as his eccentric aunt would
he likely 10 select as the wife of her
heir
In the weeks which followed Hugh's
arrival he saw great deal of Miss
Wayne, although much of her time was
divided between her taste for literature
and in demonstrating against the limo
cent prankS of her cousin
II did not require long time for the
young man To realize that he could
never love Miss Wayne as the man
should love the girl whom he intends
to marry.
He made another important discov-
ery-that his life would be a failure
without the little cousin to furnish
daily sunshine and wifely cheer for his
own home.
He resolved to let Miss Wayne have
One-half II his aunt's estates and the
orphan asylum the other. lie would
marry the girl of his own choice, pro-
vided he could win her. and boldly
fight his own way through life.
Having 50 decided Hugh set out for
II Il 8.
manly for his resolve.
He came suddenly upon a little fig
ure in white, reading. in a little whey
nook by the rivers side.
wait. Estelle, he called. for she had
started 10 run away. Il shall leave to-
morrow. and have something to say
10 you which you must hear"
The telltale flush which swept over
face and neck at his words might have
given some hint of an easy surrender.
However. in a moment she had re-
gained that customary piquancy which
had more than once exssperated Hugh.
I'D be sorry to have you leave US with
a burden on your mind. she said, pro-
vokingly.
'It is needless for me to tell you why
II " d lOT me TO meet MISS
Wayne here" he said. unheeding her
light words You know. l suppose"
Some slight idea, believe" she re-
turned, lingering her book.
well. may as we'll tell you that
that condition in my late aunt's will
can never be fulfilled"
''And why uot?"
Because l love another" he cried.
passionately. 20. Estelle, can you not
see how teuderly. how srdently l love
Won? Without you | shall make fail
IRE OF life. Won't you show mercy.
EStelle?'
'-Oh, Hugh. would you marry a po or
girl when You have a chance to win a
dignitied bride aud retain those princely
estates?" she asked
Eyes. darling. prefer you with love
in a cottage 10 the wealthiest woman
with all the estate in the worldr'
Rash statement, young man"
1T is true. Do not torture me longer.
Estelle Can you not love me little?"
NO
Then you do not love me?"
I'm afraid | do
do not mock me, Estelle'
II am not knocking you. Hugh in a
very sweet voice
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