River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-02-22
HELPED HIM PROPOSE.
And Promised Not TO Tell. But It
Yves Too Good to Keep.

He was idly toying with his atch
chain and watching the smoke of his
cigar as it curled upward in the air.
when the door opened and Mr.. Clifton
Wayne entered the room.
well. Arthur, how are you to-day
were his first words. Thinking of
your lady-lOve?
Don't be a fool. Clifton was his
polite reply You know | hate girls
ixe-lize-"
softly softly. my dear sir" inter
rupted Clifton, laughingly; the trouble
is you haven't come across the right
one"
And never will" interrupted Ar
thur "But enough of this nonsense.
I heard to-day that your sister Clara
was about 70 give a grand ball Is
that sop
.'Of course it is. aud you're To be in
vited. And say, Arthur, Cousin Nellie,
from New Orleans. Is coming too. She
will be a splendid catch for you
There you 20 again, Clifton. You
know I am a confirmed bachelor. And
as for Miss Nellie-what did you say
her name is?"
''Forsythe - Nellie FOrsythe- But
r ID day. have an appointment down
town" And he hurried away.
Years ago Arthur Lyle had felt that
he understood one woman lie had
even gone SO far as to tell her that if
she 50 willed 1t henceforth his life
would be devoted equally u her and
his profession. And she had smiled and
looked So pleased that he had kissed
h. IA a at
some time. not far distant be his Ovn.
But he had supposed too much. as he
afterwards found out when she was
married few weeks later TO dashing
young lawyer.
This hurt his susceptible and sensi-
tive heart To think that she had So de-
ceiyed MIN, and he told her 50 the first
time he saw her after her marriage.
And she. with one OF her iunocent.
surprised looks. answered his indig-
nant words by saying that lie had
never asked her to marry him
He had not met her Ton several years.
He went To visit hrs friend Clifton at
his beautiful villa in the suburbs.
lie had been there hut few days
when he walked out on tine piazza and.
70 his Amusement, saw his former
sweetheart walking around r. grounds
of a neighboring house with a half
grown child-a little girl-who in many
ways resembled her mother
lie walked on aimlessly. blind deaf
to every thing around him Thoughts
OF his lost love and the fate that hal
separated them were struggling to-
gether unanimously IN his brain.
4
down tine -oai and low, startled cry
reused hiiL suddenly from the revere
into " hich he had fallen lie looked
UP and saw a young lady in great
peril
lie darted forward. and Selling the
horse by the bit. stopped him
What gentle woman's heart she
had. this lovely girl with soft. brown
eyes and beautiful golden hair-a quiet.
little creature with a charming, refined
face
Where do you wish 10 go?' he in
quired, respectfully.
To Wayne viiia.~ She replied, IN 3
sweet voice that thrilled his heart.
Il found no one at the depot tn meet
me. 30 ! got horse and thought I
would ride over. but my horss took
fright and | was thrown of as you see.
but if you will assist me to remount
think l can reach the villa safely"
IL was a splendid night The stars
shone beautifully. the ar was soft and
baimy. Wayne villa was brilliantly
illuminated. Chinese lanterns shOn
here and there among the trees-in
fact, II looked like a fairy paradise;
carriages drove up and deposited ladies'
and gentlemen and the sound of m ic
was hearii from. the narlorS Miss Clara
Wayne was giving a ball.
y hen Arthur LYLE was announced
there y a a buzz through the room. as
he was general favorite. and maneu-
vering mammas did not quite despair of
catching hin.
All! Arthur. how glad l am 10 see
you" exclaimed Miss Clara. Selling him
by the hand. II must Introduce you
10 Miss Forsythe"
Hang Miss Forsythe,~ thought Ar
thur This thoughts were a'l conferred on
the fair girl he had rescued on the road
that morningl. but he followed Clara
obedieutly 10 the corner of the room.
where a lady who had her back turned
10 him was talking with party of gen
tlemen
Miss Forsythe. Mr.. Lyle" said
Clara, presenting him ''Why. what's
the matter with you. Mr.. Lyle?" she
cried, as Arthur stood. with his eyes
wide open. looking at Miss Forsythe
For in Miss Forsythe he recognized
the beautiful girl he had met so unex-
pectedly in the morning. However. he
recovered himself sufficiently to con-
verse a II nothing had happened
From that time he found that he
loved her. She was a woman after his
own heart But he didn't know how To
tell her 81 II he made up his mind that
he cared 10 marry. 30 he waited
Then he thought s,me one might
come along II he dallied. and. discover
ing what a wonderful woman she was. I
win the prize he coveted away froIn /
him lie felt as Il there was poSsib e I
danger in delay
But how to say what he wanted to
that was what troubled him
Little cold shivers went over him and 4
his tongue would cleave To the roof Of j
his mouth tie felt sure that Il Ae be- I
gan To propose words would fOrsake I
him, and there he would stand. gasp 4
ing and opening his mouth like dying
Dish
lie had been a constant visitor to 4
Wayne villa for severa. months. and 4
he was thinking this morning. as he .
Val ed leisurely up the path. that il .
he could but meet Miss Forsythe he
would speak.
As he turred a bend in the pa.h ne
saw seated on a rock under 81 adv
tree the object of his thoughts
She smiled -leu she saw who IL was
that had intruded upon her peaceful
privacy; and the pcor. lOvesielS artist
thought she had The sweetest smile he
mad ever seen She made room for MIN
and he sat down beside her.
This Is a lovely morning for sketch
ing. and ! thought ! would sketch some
Of this beautiful scenery. but now that
J have found something 81 mueh more
interesting to me and 30 much more
bea Ititul IL think I-wOuld-wOuld-l
would"