River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-12-31

HkZz --ssSJsx< = DAYS that winter
u Ej i Ciiveden was not
V = an ancestral hall
- Ii was merely the
country-seat of
Joshua Warren, capitalist, who had
hui Just three years previously, and
IL owned neither . ghost nor gallery
of solemn-visaged ancestors. As a mat
ter of fact, Mr.. Warren. albeit a quiet
man, and one not given to boasting'
was rather proud Of the fact that ne
had neither a pedigree nor a family
skeleton to keep him awake nights
His principal desire, now that he had
made his fortune, was to enjoy life and
a. make those about him happy without
worrying his head about genealogical
trees or ways and means of forcing him
self into the upper ten" On these
points his wife and their only daughter.
Nadge. agreed with him-and being
agreed, they succeeded in making the
most Of life. They were jolly entertain
ers, and always had a houseful, more
or less, of company. usually lot OF
young people. whom they preferred as
being more likely to make thugs live
~; and during these particular holidays
tEey were housing at least dozen
young folks. on account of Madge, who
was TO be married in the middle of Jaa-
vary 10 VIII Braden.
There were all kinds of jolly times
during that closing fortnight of the old
year. The sleighing was faultless, there
were lots Of social festivities at Cliveden
and neighbOring houses, and there was
every opportunity in the world to drive
dull care away-yet Will Braden. de-
spite his approaching marriage with
quite the sweetest girl in the world, was
unhappy. Not all the time; for Oc-
casiOnally Madge would devote to him
an entire five minutes. all at once. there
by filling him with ecstacy-after
which. alas, she would neglect him for
hours together to attend TO her duties
as hostess, whereupOn he was plunged
into despair, aud became gloomy and
sullen, much to the amusement of all
the rest, who called him Hamlet" be-
hind his back, and cracked Jokes about
'green-eyed Monsters" and so on, to
the mystifca ton of Mrs. Warren, who
earnestly insisted that poor. dear Will
WIZ -AeN - ~ AeAN~A-
But there was no doubt that VIII was
Jealous, just as most Young men are
likely to be when the attentions of the
adored one are demanded m ether quar-
tcrs, even though b, the laws of hos
pitaiity. He told himself he didn't mind
it, but be did. What CALLED him partic-
ularly was the presence of that pedi-
greed prig from Philadelphia, Mr.. Mar
tindale, whom he had long suspected of
n sneaking affection for Madge, who, by
the way. was particularly pleasant to
him. not to say somewhat confidential
with him. For, at least a half dozen
times, VIII had seen them, apart
from the rest, talking in guarded
tones about something or other,
and at these times both had looked
very serious. IL was getting past en-
durance, decided Mr.. Braden, and he pro-
posed to put stop 10 it, So when they
returned from their sleighing party. on
Sew Years eve. he drew Madge, who hail
seemed to he flirting desperately ali he
evening with Martindale, into recess
in the hall, where he proceeded to pro-
test with much yigor against the treat
ment accorded him.
Madge laughed merriIy. then pre-
tended to lie offended. Don't be an
idiot, Wil..~ she said. sharply Il think
1 know what I'm about"
You know nothing of the sort, or
else YOU don't care" declared VIII.
with some heat. lit seems to me am
entitled to some consideration. instead
OF which you do your best to make me
feel badly and 20 make laughing
stock OF me. Darling he went on.
more gently. this is the last year OF
our single lives. Can't we watch il out
and the new one in just by ourselves.
since the New Year means - much to
us both2"
Madge was touched. but for some in
scrutable reason did not choose to let
him see il just then. Don't be a spoon,
MIL" she answered. pettishly. We've
-ull our lives to he -spooney' in. and. be
sides. I have other obligations" She
turned and left him, regardless of the
pleading, reproachful ewes that she
knew sse-e following her, and for the
rest Of the evening she hardly noticed
him at all. Indeed, he kept out Of the
way rs much as possible. for all this
-1nerriment 'was to him. in his present
mood, gall and worn wood.
He had just returned from a lonely
smoke in the library. and. somewhat
soothed, was returning to Join the
others. Who were gathering about the
big fireplace in what good Mrs. War
rem designated as the 'sittin'-room." TO
observe that time-hOnored custom Of
watching the Old Year out and the New
Wear in. lie told himself, sentimental
Is, that he would quietly take seat at
Mafgc's side, gain surreptitious posses
ssOI Of her hand. and thus they would
enter upon the New Year together.
But Madge was not in the group
about the fireplace, nor was she in the
room; and. even as he looked. the Of
fensivcly handsome and aristocratic
MaFtindsie rose quietly aud made his
exit through tn other door. For a
moment Braden stood dazed-then.
with jealous intuition he turned and
made his way 10 the conservatory. and
there. not ten feet from the door. he
s recognized the figure Of Martindale.
But the latter did not see nor hear the
care sdropper. lie was busy kissing tue
willing lips Of some one in feminine at
tire whose face could not be seen. but
whose dress and figure. in the dim
light. looked only TOO familiar 10 poor
Braden. Utterly crushed. the latter
turned silently and FASTENED up to his
room
where's WHIP" some one asked, sud-
denly. when New Years greetings had
been exchanged I'D the increment had
subsidized 10 some extent. No one pres
cnt had seen him. and Mr.. Warren in
ter0gated the servants.
'-NO. sir, e hain't in 5 room, sir. Mr..