The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
"Tell me what has changed You,

'Te1l me what has changed you,
Helen?''
Il have not changed"
mot changed? Five months ago you
refused to marry me-.
You had everything then; YOU didn't
want me; at least, not much. l was
blind and vain and fool | may be a
fool now, but | am no longer blind. |
have seen clearly enough since July.
have learned a great deal"
You know so little of me-
'sThat is true. | have told myself so
many, many times
'.Helen, you are torturing me; you
tempt me beyond endurance.
Then open the door, If you please,
and let me 60
NO, no! I can never let you go
now"
Il must have tea; you forget the
time" gettin nervous over the Crisis
which she herself had brought about
Listen Helen; l don't want pity; |
want love; you may mistake the one
for the other; you probably DO
Did l pity you last summer she
answered, mpatiently. And when you
left me i'll a moment land Went away
to- that other woman, do you think the
pain / had was pity?. 1t isn't like yol.
it isn't kind of you to make ne say all
this. You have said nothing. | don
know why | should think ycu care for
lie. Let me CO.
Never" he said. And he took her III
his arms and kissed her.
Everyone said that the beautiful MISS
Milford and her fifteen thousand
pounds was being thrown away upon
Mr. Iones-of the city. Mr.. Jones HIM
self was wont to say so, and to predict
great miSerieS in store for her. She
often acquesced i'll these prophecies;
fol. she. except on one mon entOuS oc-
casion, was chary Of feeding tile vanity
or layishing tender words on the lover
of her choice.
At first Mr.. and Mrs. Milford had
been slightly shocked by their daugh-
ter's departure. Why Helen should
have engaged herself to the ruined son
of 'sthose dreadful Jonses' was Mconl-
prehensible to them; but when their
mild circumstances were met by pas
Sionate and vehement confession OF her
great love for this very undesirable
person. they instantly became sympa-
thetic and congratulatory. Helen had
always been right; she was probably
right now
In the following June. upon the day
preceding Helen'S wedding, the rect0ry
was the scene of great, though sub
dued excitement Bridesmaids, HncleS.
aunts. stray men and country neigh
bOrs, thronged house and garden. Inc
presents, the rousseau, the flowers ana
the blide-elect were on view. 1t was
to be gay wedding, as the saying IS;
every possible token of rejoicing was
to be manifest; every possible honor
was to be heaped on bride and bride
groom. Though Miss Milford was
making such a bad match, the girls
said ''she seemed very proud OF 1T.
And so she was. She thought herself
the most fortunate woman in the
world. Even when her aunt Elizabeth,
who was directing the labels for the
bridal boxes, sighed and said, pointing
with an appreciative finger at-'Mrs.
Albert Jones''-'I can't make it look
nice. my love-" Helen answered, quick
": whats in 4 name, auntie!" and
then added, little wistfully, after
pause. ut is better than Hogg, at any
rate"
''Rertie is the most charming fellow
in the world," Miss Milford put in,
kissing the bride-elect's fair cheek ten
derly. 'Whateyer his name is, or ii lie
had no name at all, l should be glad
for Nellie to be called by it."
Il don't know what all the women
see in him." said the rector, rather dis
mally. fortunately, he is getting on
fairly we'll in business, Elizabeth,
though l believe my foolish little girl
would have married him, whether or
no.
THE END.