River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-03-30

{ Somehow did manage to push back
my personality and give myself to my
cousin. The duties of hospitality were
pressing, for we had hidden all our
/ dear FIVE hundred friends 10 the we'd
ding, and 90 the reception afterward. I
had ESCAPED a bridesmaids position by
pleading that of hostess; but was
very busy, and only at night could |
let my sorrow have is way. How
much had loved. how perfectly had
trusted Herbert. / learned III those
days. when all my love and trust
seemed thrust back upon my own
heat The last drop was added to my
cup Of misery the very day before
Lizzie's wedding. Father came home
earlier than usual and came TO my
room.
''Eessic. my dear, lie said. II heard
some news to-day that will come to
Won, sooner or later, and thought
could tell you it more kindly than any
one else"
Bert is married. thought, but
could not speak the cruel words.
Herbert Wilson has come back. my
dear, and taken a partnership in the
firm for which he has been travelling
agent for two years. lie had a legacy.
Not very large. bat sufficient. with his
own value to the firm. To give him a
place. lie knows, my dear, that only
wanted him 10 prove that he could
take care of wife, and he should have
come to ne at once, after what he has
said, both to you and To me. Bessie, il
Is a hard thing 10 say, but I am afraid
he was counting upon marrying YOU
for my helping hand in business. Now
that he does not need that-There
there I broke down at last
don't cry. dear: its better for YOU to
knoWshim as he is "
Then he took me in his arms. my
dear father. and gave rae such caress-
ing tenderness as my mother might
have done I had NV cry out on his
breast ana then I faced the truth. and
knew I never could be utterly mis-
erabie while nv father lived
We agreed to say nothing to Lizzie.
and ] dressed her myself to go TO
church, thinking no fairer bride had
ever been seen, nor one that was more
carelessly entering upon the new. sol
emn duties before her She chartered
with the pretty cluster OF girls who
were to he her bridesmaids. and was
the brightest of them all When we
drove up 10 The church door. we found
Mr.. Gordon awaiting MS. and after
some fiuttering of lace aud flowers in
the vestry room, the bridal procession
sailed MP the broad aisle. Lizzie on
papa'S arm and Mr.. Gordon escortinc
his married sister.
i slipped into my pew, and when my
eyes wandered. ! saw-Bert Wilson,
looking al Lizzie with dazed exp.
sion. as II she was q part of a night
mare.
Then l understood. When the organ
pealed forth the wedding march, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Gordon walked slowly
down The aisle, : caught IIerbcrt's ewes
/. Id smiled Two minutes later he was
beside mc-
You will come 10 my cousins rccep-
ton. ! said. shaking hands. Il should
have sent YOU cards if l had known
your address.
II saw the card. he said. in a low.
cholsed voice: - Charles Gordon and
Elizabeth Bassett
And You sent back my poor little
ring,
.'But You viii forgive me. Bessie, and
, let me have my ring again2 Nou never
told me that You had 4 cousin whose
name was the same as your own
5ust then papa joined us. lie asked
No questions. aud we drove home to-
rethcr. Explanations were made. and
NV Crystal Easter Egg was opened 10
give back Hcvbert'> ring. which my
husband tells me shall never again
leave his tiugcr.-Annie Shields, ia y.
Y I.el-cr