The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-01

Milford had finished Ter afternoon sizes
ia and opened her eyes, she naturally
and inevitably returned to the familiar
theme.
My love- Lady Jones had an annui-
ty, a small annuity, but sufficient for
her wants, left her by her father OF
course it was praisewerthy of her to
relinQuish her claim to the money, but
when we remember that the young
man had no money, not a sixpence, that
he had been reared in affiuence. that
he has never known an unqualified
desire, and that, under these circunl-
stances, he voluntarily relinquished Il
handsome independence, we must find
it impossible to express, With adequate
strength, our warm admiration of the
nobility of conduct
Helen had taken up the piece of en-
broidery from her lap and had begun
to stitch with some show of industry;
she was obliged to bend low over her
work for the winter afternoon was
drawing to a close, and the room was
dusk.
II wonder what he will do she said.
He will do well, mark my words,
Helen. He has many friends. | hear
that he has already entered house of
business in which he is likely, through
the favor of the proprietor, to succeed,
if he proves himself intelligent and re-
liable-such qualities as we know he
possesses. Don't sigh, my love; rats
alone desert a sinking ship; the captain
and her crew are the last to leave her.
If that unworthy woman whom he
loved chose to renounce him at the ap-
proach of trouble, she is no better than
a rat, and of such yermin he is we'll
rid"
Perhaps it was not quite all her
fault said Helen, slowly; perhaps he
would not drag the girl he liked into
poverty. Perhaps she could not help
It."
''She would make a point of helping
it, said Aunt Elizabeth, with energy.
.When does a man really find comfort
in woman? When does q man APP
preciate the blessings of an affeCtionate
wife? Why, when be is in trouble, to
be sure. And any won an worthy OF
the name knows it, and glOries in the
knowledge; and any woman worthy OF
the name would have remained by his
side, as constant as a compass and as
adhesive as a burr. She should have
been proud and glad to stay by him.
met him On the road one afternoon last
week; | ran and shook him by the
hand-I couldn't spenk-but he was
Just as usual, though a little grayeT i'll
his manner; and his face looked older;
twenty years older he had grown in
three months. He came in here with
me and had some tea; he stayed long
whiie-he seemed pleased to stay. We
talked of the summer, love, and of
r 7 l., 1SfA I 1HsSs1V lceO Cc01l
crosby of poor Mr.. Flight, and then he
went away; but he promised to come
again if he was at NoelcOmbe. He
should be to and fro until the business
was settled and the house sold, he
i'd"
did he say anything about that
girl, auntie?"
(Which girl? Oh, you mean Lady
Freemantle. No, my love; he talked
of YOU; men do not speak of matters
upon which they feel deeply. He talked
much Of you; / showed him your new
photograph; he did not think it at all
good. not at all. 1t is a most curious
thing. Helen, l have mislaid that like
ness from that day to this, have never
found it, though | have searched dill
gently. / must have sent it back 20
tie llUIdIS III Oh JOO1A. i LID z pOcO Liz ~
letters thus, and some yalua ole pat <
ages of flower seeds. The orchid which
the young man gave me Is dead-it
wanted more heat than | could give it
hero Good gracious, love, that is the
front door bell. Pull down that cOu-
yre-pied over my feet and set my cap
straight: the room is nearly dark. VIII
YOU light the candles OH the mantle
fnCP fhn
Very we'll. My love, Helen! where are
you going? Don't leave the room.
Stay; / want you to stay
But she had gone, and While Miss
Milford was still imploring and COM
handing her to return, Mr.. Jones was
shown into the room.
He SIT down on the same tiny chair
as before aud asked with much inter-
est about the Influenza Her answers
were absent and a little puzzling; she
hardly knew what he said, SO sick
was she with the responsibility of inn
mediate action. Should she casually
mention her niece's presence and judge
by bis face whether the knowledge
affected him in any way! But the
NEST expressive feature-hiS mouth
was hidden by a mustache, and those
dark ewes of his defied scrutiny, eS-
pecially in this duslSy light. He went
on talking; the frank youthfulness of
his manner had changed; he was no
longer debonnair and careless-he had
grown earnest and grave, almost to
sternness. Every now and then there
was a weary note in his voice which
wrung the old lady's heart; she grew
each moment more confused and alb
stracted. He became aware of this,
and. thinking that she was weak from
recent illness, and therefore unfit for
conversation. he presently rose to take