River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-06-08
THE FATE OF A FLIRT.
Her Unprilcipled Actions Brought
a Deserved Reward.

Tnanac StolIdly persisted IN pointing out
December a. the month. and the Their
snomet,r without stood uncomfortably
mar zero. But the marble vases on
.ither side Of the fireplace wece filed
with roses and hsliotrOpe. from the
1ropic warmth Of Conservatives. and
single dazzling japonica cleaned. like
p carved pearl. among the Jettv folds OF
Ella Wariiaws hair. as she stood smil-
ing. listening % the regretful aiieux Of
him whom the world called her lover.
''Gspd-hv. Ella; / shall come again
very sooE
Miss WIr.lfaw.s heart throbbed high.
Charlie i'errest had never before called
her Ella" and she felt tIiunphantly
conscious that her proud beauty and
ncr seductive notes had very nearly
brought him to the proposing point
One or two more such vigorous sieges.
and the fortress would be her own.
She sank. yawning, on a sofa, as the
sic { closed upon her lover, and clasped
her white hands carelessly over her
head.
Mrs Charles Forrest. she repeated
70 herself that doesn't sound - very
badly, does III particularly a. the afore-
said Mrs. Charles Forrest will step into
"a br0wu-~tone palace, "A carriage and
perfect carcauet ~ family diamonds.
Yes. believe he Is safely entrappe,l.
and If ! play my cards a. well a. I can.
the matter will b. settled within three
days. Iieigho. this husband hunting is
a wearisonc business. after all; and
rather hazardous. unless one j. very
skiilfuL That reminds me" She added.
starting suddenly up. and throwing off
her soft languor A. one might lay aside
a useless garment: n must write to
Ralph Thurnby tonight; if the love
stricken wretch should fulfill his limited
animation IF coming Ia see me. it
might possibly be awkward"
Ii was nearly one. and the fire hal
burr II very low before Ella finished
the carcfully-vvor,ied note and sealed it
with fairy-Iibr device Of entangled
initials in pink WAX.
The beautiful velvet-cheelsed CO.
.quette, with her dropping cyelils aud
voice attuned to tbe sweetest and
softest kpy-nne would not have
thought. a. She placed that letter on
the marble mantel, that she knew its
contents were meant to break the heart
Of a noble rnd true souled man
When Charles Forrest descended the
broad stone steps 81 the Ward'1w man
sion and walked along the lamp-iighted
street he felt dizzy and happy. The
SIRENS spell vas on hjm-and vet some
warning. watchful pulse down deep in
his heart kept beating the old. incom-
prehensiblc tune: ..Bevar, beware
lie raised through the noisy tumult
Of broadway A great hotel office
shrew a blaze Of light into the street
a crowd had assembled therc-the mid
night mails had just arrived-and For
rest mingled with the throng to hear
the fiecting rumors of war which then
vcxcd the public mind.
Forrest old fellow. can 1t be posi-
bic that this i voue,'
Myself. and no other. ThorRby; but
I thought vou were safely settled in
Chicago. practiciug law, instead of
Instead Of running wild about the
country. You were going 10 say. But
granted myself temporary holiday to
-Pshaw ! cant tell You about il here;
come M t. my room. and wen have
coy, old-fasnioned chat"
The delightful little impromptu sup
per Of wes-seasonsd dainties. washed
down ~ champagne. was over. and the
two gentlemen were smoking. when
Thornby abruptly plunged into the
subject which VIZ uppernost in his
mind
charley. I'm in love-
Yen are NJ dear fellow, 50 am
Il"
II am glad Of that. because you can
svmpathize with me. have come here
expressly to see her. and have the day
fiNrd for the wedding.
II haven't got quite 80 far a. that
said Forrest. smiling
But Charley, she is tho loveliest
creature lbat the sun ever ,aone on
IN angel, divinity
Hold IN, Ealph-not quite the lowell
st. TRUST for the lady HON worship
! alone entitled to that superIative de
gree Of praise
You're in love too. my dear boy. 80
I'll excuse any iittle symptoms of in~San-
ity." rcjoincd Thornby. laughing: but
really. If you could see Ella-hold on. !
believe I've got her picture somewhere
about me
lie searched eagerly in his pockets.
while Forrest repeated the soft name
over.
.E!!s2 Why that Is the name Of the
Young lady whom ! admire - much.
and by .Iove he added. as Thornhy un-
claspei a little velvet miniature ease,
aud held il toward him. that is the very
face. You don't mean 10 say you are
engaged t. that girle
ITO H. sure an-what do you
mean surely there i some mistake.
j can show you her last letter.
tie drew ont a very sentimental epis-
tie. Forrest glanced over il with be-
vvildercd eyes. and then. biting his
white lip until the bIooi started. took
from his own poclSetboob prettily
Nvorded note from Ella. which he had
received that morning
The handwriting i precisely SINH
lar. Ralph. We are the dupes If an art
full, unpriucipIrd woman. This same
Ella War,ilaw. while She Is correspond
ing with You in this imprisoned strain.
j doing her best u ldre me On IL a pro-
possl.-'
IT cannot he gaspcd Ralph. feeling
as IL hc were in a dream.
But I know il - he 81. Heavens,
what a narrow escape have had. And
you. also. Thornbv, should rejoice AZ
your escape from the wiles Of a false
hearted coquette.
sill Ralph Thornby repeated, b.
tween his clenched teeth.
~ riu not believe it-Ella ) truth
itself
shall re put it to the test2- asked
Forrest rather Indignantly.
Do what vou pleas ! viii stake
nv life on her sing .t-miu.ied0csS.
Thornbv toosS out pencil and dashed
of a hurrsed proposal in form.
There viii send this tomorrow
morniug. with request for an iiInedi-