River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-11-10

selves and that she hu1 done nothing
of which she need be ashamed. She
expected that they would soon seek her
presence IN a sheepish manner and she
was prepared to show a gracious de-
mealor and TO let bygones be bygoues.
But weeks went 10y and they did ~,
call She met them several times and
they hurried by her and returned her
greetings with cold. formal bows only.
IL was now her turn to be very un.
happy, especially as it was revealed &c
her that she did greatly care for one of
her former admirers, viz, Mr.. Hutehin-
son She knew now how to decide be-
tween the two. but alas, the opportun-
ity to make such decision might never
return.
Mr.. Hutchinson also became uneasy.
He was astonished to find how deep
his love for Lucy was and how futile
were his efforts TO overcome IL He
bitterly regretted his pledge, but as he
himself had been the first TO propose
the compact. he could blame no one
but himself for making il and was I'M
der the strongest kind of an obligation
to keep it.
The painful situation was soon fur
Their complicated by an act of Miss
Meadows She began to encourage a
middle-aged widower named Slawson,
who had long desired TO show her
marked attentions, but who had been
prevented from doing so by her cold
demeanor toward him while his two
younger rivals were ia favo. He was
now flied with inexpresSible delight
because of the winning smiles which
the charming maiden for the 'irst time
bestowed upon him, and he was sc
elated because of his unexpected sue
cess that ne did not stop TO inquire why
she treated him with a cordially that
she had never before manifested. But
unlike the infatuated MIR. Slawson,
Lucy was not dominated by sentiment
alone. She was as wise as serpent,
while seeming TO be as harmless as q
dove. She hoped that her gracious
treatment of the widower would render
Mr.. Hutchinson Jealous and cause him
again to seek Ter society for the pur.
pose of preventing, if possible, third
admirer from winning her affections
The maneuver was skillful. but it
only brought about a part of what she
desired, and even of that part she was
ignorant Mr.. Hutchinson was made
desperately jealous. but the agreement
with Walters. which, OF course, was
uni, 1own to Lucy, prevented him from
endeavoring TO become reeonci,ed &c
her
Two months elapsed Seemingly
Hutchinson was determined to main
tain his indifferent demeanor. Miss
Meadows was discouraged. She believed
that the young man did not recipro-
cate her love for him and she began &c
think that the best thing she could dc
would be TO marry Mr.. SlawsOn. Tc
be sure, he was a widOwer twenty
wears older than herself, and had two
daughters, each OF whom was not much
younger than she was. but he was also
wealthy and lived in a tRe house.
Moreover, she rather liked him, and he
adored her. She might dc worse thar
to accept him as a husband
At this critical time Hutchinson. I'M.
able longer TO simulate indifference,
res 1ived to tell Waite how he felt. al
though he feared that his former rival
might still love the girl as much as he
himself did. When the two young men
next met Hutchinson, growing red in
the face, preached the subject that was
uppermost in his mind.
Il want to ask you" he said. in e
blunt and desperate way, whether you
are willing 20 release me from keeping
the compact by which each of US
agreed not again to seek to marry Miss
MeadOws2 / confess that / now love
her more than l ever did l suppose
you may love her, too. / would like to
be free to court the girl again, and OF
course if had that privilege, you, too.
would again have a right to show her
attentions, provided you desired so Il
do. Let The better man win, say. ano
if either of US is to win we must be
lively, ! tell you. for the widower Is
making alarming progress in the i'm
provement Of his opportunities, unless
am much deceived"
Walters laughed as the other spoke
and looked at him in a peculiar way.
81 release you from your promise.
Go ahead and may you have good
luck"
Hutchinson was mitch surprised.
Can j, be that You are no longer in
terestee ;r Miss Meadows?" he asked,
dOulsfully.
II am no longer interested"
INLAY ! ask the reason?"
YES; confidentially / viii tell you
that L am now in love with another
girl
Il am $50 glad. hope she will
reciprocate your affection and tina,
you will be very happy" said Hutchin-
son, as he feryently shook the hand OF
his companion.
"Sl has already accepted me"
Good
At two o'clock in the afternoon Of
that dav Mr.. Hutchinson stood before
Miss Meadows in the parlor of hei
home.
Am l too late?" he asked.
'No; but you would have been one
hour from now"
what do you mean?"
AT three o'clock Mr.. Slawson will
receive his answer"
what will You say?"
Had YOU not called, my answer
would be YES"
what will it be now that have
called?"
MOI. a. Bolles. in Boston
Budget.