River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-07-27
.Oh." said Mrs. Middleton. perhaps

OF motnerlY generosity, Just as Irene
was proceeding To her task, ''since Mr..
Remond has proved himself so polite
and gentlemanly there would be moth
ing out of the way in your saying "a
him that we shall be glad 10 have him
call II he chances 20 be in town.
of course he won't take the trouble
/ 10 do 80 or 20 write again. and that will
end il. she thought 10 herself.
But he did write again. And Evaline's
eye had a quizzical look in it as she
handed this second letter over TO her
sister.
1T is surely beginning to get inter
esting." said this romantic little dream
er 10 herself.
But the imaginative Evaline had rea-
son to be very much disappointed and
ashamed at the cool, matter-of-fact way
/ in which her sister received this second
missive within a month. giving her al
most the identical message to convey 70
| her mother that she had before.
But l notice She takes it up TO her
/ room FIRST To read, commented the sly
puss To herself. Maybe there is an
other letter inside for her. Its 80 thin
though. there couldn't be very much"
Suddenly Irene turned in the hall
way as though something had induced
/ her to change her mind, and handed the
letter back TO Evalne, saying:
NO. ] am busy now: you may take il
TO mamma first. saying aid for her to
/ open it and read il, and then put il
back in the envelope and return it to
me. You please see that she puts il
in the envelope, won't you, Evaline,
dear?'
Yes said Evaline, wondering why
irene was 80 particular about trife,
and considerably nonplussed at this
unexpected turn IN affairs.
I To tell the truth. her Imagination had
been conjuring up a scene in Irenes
room, of which she was to be. am
sorry TO say. an unknown spectator.
through the keyhcle. possibly, in which
her sister was to tear open the envelope
with trembling fingers, remove the in
closure intended only for her private
perusal. after glancIng over which with
agitated look aud manner she would
| hastily thrust 10 into her bosom. and
then, composing herself. bring down
stairs the deceptive letter, which was
so worded as to be admissible of a
reading by any of the family.
But here was Irene delivering the
whole thing over to her mother without
opening it and securing her own secret
missive.
80 he is going to Florida for the
winter casually mentioned Mrs. Mid
al b. H..
after both had read the letter.
Yes, / believe that was what he
said. was the indifferent answer.
Might as well. suppose" com
mented Mr.. Middleton when he had
heard the news in the evening. From
what ] can hear he has no business TO
sacrifice. and if his aunt wants him for
a companion She is able to pay for his
time"
by the way" he remarked to his
wife next evening, Is hen he came home.
that letter You mentioned from Red
u.OItd suggested something. and have
written him to-day asking him To take
charge of those Florida lots of mine.
can't. of course construe that into any
encouragement of whatever fancy he
may have for irene"
No. ! should think not" said Mrs.
Middleton. 1t won't give him any
excuse 10 write To hero" she added. with
rising accent and hesitating tone.
Certainly not, certainly not" said
Mr.. Middleton, emphatically. Its a
purely business matter between Us.
The idea would be piece of imperti-
nence"
Irene manifested no outward interest
when it was casually mentioned to her
that her father had put into the hands
of John Redmond the disposition of
some real estate he had purchased in
Florida. Later. when she and Evaline
were alone together. she said to her
sister:
"HOu are quite a little business girl
aren't YOU, dear? bringing all the mail
from the office and opening papa's let
tiers for him at his desk. IL seems as
though ] am good for nothing but to be
ornamental. Since YOU are 80 useful
to papa. would Won be willing to extend
your usefulness little and help sister?
''Of course ! would" answered Eva
line. What do YOU want me to dO?'
Why" said Irene, I'm going to try
TO he useful and economical I'm gong
u make one of those paper cushions
I've read - much about: stiff paper that
will curl Ike a shaving is the best
Would you mind bringing me the en-.
velopes from papa's waste basket. and
be sure and bring them all, because
/ shall want a great many"
Evaline was only too glad to he hon
/ ored with this commission by her sister.
And TIL paper cushion must have pro
crossed famousiy. Judging from the
/ quantity of material furnished by this
willing assistant.
Winter sped on. and fashionable 40
ciety in Iredeil was in its 'dizziest whirl
I Receptions. parties and matinees de
manded the attention of the beautiful
and accomplished Miss Middleton.
But while she shone as belle in so
/ ciety and attracted many desirable
| suitOrs. il was observed with some dis
/ appointment upon the part of her
| parents that while She was agreeable
to all she seemed to encourage no onr
in particular. but rather to hold all her
/ admirers at distance.
Il don't know what she means, said
Mr.. Middleton in a disappointed tone u
his wife one evening. Every girl ought
/ to think of marriage and settling down
/ in life as the mistress of her own home.
/ She won't have these eligible offers
/ forever. Can IL be that after all Irene
/ Is not heart free, but she has her mind
/ set on some"
You men are 50 impatient and rash.
chided Mrs Middleton. You don't
understand the Other sex at all. Leave
| the whole matter with me.
Il COZ 'ess | have been somewhat
mys;iscf myself. and. il there. were the
/ slightest ground for il, ! should have
/ thought Irene had become the victim of
an infatuation for that handsome, pen
niless young lawyer. she seems so fitful
and abscnt-minded sometimes and at
other times 50 flushed and excited.
but then. you know, there has never
anything passed between them, except
that incipient love-making which we
- successfully nipped in the bud by
cutting short our stay at Elm Grove"
Il hope -: | don't know" said her
father. appearances are so deceitful
sometimes, especially in young people
/ Of her age. wish I could be sure of it.
Anyway. her golden opportunities are
/ flying by"
Mrs. Middleton had to confess to her
self that evening that she felt just a
shade of uneaSiness also. But.