River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-08-12
WAS 1T MURDER?
BY ANNA SHIELDS.
~o@s~e~ss~s~s>s~s

IT was a drowsy midsummer aft
ernoon, and even i'm Newport.
where a strong breeze from the ocean
tempered the suns heat, it was a day
Tor laziness, iced drinks and airy cos
TUNES. In the library 81 Mr. MarshaIl's
large house two Young men were spend
ing an hour i'm lctter-writing. or. more
rtrictIy speaking. George Marshall was
debating a letter which his friend,
Harry Spencer. was rapidly transfer
ring to paper just two weeks before
that particular July day George Mar
shall had been thrown from his horse
and had broken his arm. and for that
length of time his friend, who was Wis
itiug him, had undertaken his CORE
sp0ndence.
II was very ardent love letter he was
so TcDidiy writing, fun of expressions
Of deep. uudying Election, of lover-liSe
devotion. commencing: My own dar-
ling Marguerite" and assuring that
unset Of never-to-be-ended adora-
on.
Il wouldn't dare dictate that letter
TO you. George said. after one especially
ardent passage. you were not spoony
yourself
~That's all right. was the reply.
We'll, / am living only on the hope
cf meeting you in few weeks what
neNt?"
Il guess that's alt. Four pages of de
votion is enough for anybody in this
weather."
AS usual Yours devotedly,'" said
Harry. and presently tossed the letter
10 his friend 10 read while he direct
"a the envelope 10 Miss Marguerite
Harris"
But a few moments later a roar of
laughter from his friend made him LOOK
M in great amazemeHt-
'It IS too good" George gaspcd; I've
half mind 10 send II. Rita will think
She has new admirer. Look"
And Harry looked to see that in mo-
meut Of abstraction he had signed the
flaming epistle with his own name. and
where he had intended to put George
Marshall" his own bold signature
'.HenI- &. Spencer" was at the foot of
the last page.
With an exclamation Of wrath at his
own stupidity he crushed the letter in
his strong hand and tossed il into the
waste paper basket.
"Oht" George cried. you might have
copied it."
signature and all? Come. begin
again. The envelope is all ready"
let il wait I'm used up-eXhaust-
F..s
while take nap. BY the way. where's
Miss Campbell?"
Il don't know; travelling"
Don't know; ] though; you had a
letter to-day"
$50 | did. That was from Conway.
and She expected to leave the day il was
written, and did not Nuow where her
aunt would 20 next. 1t is the one aim
Of her aunt's life to prevent our mar
rage. and she is trottiug Emmeline all
over creation this summer. and trying
10 prevent my writing 10 her By not al
lowing her 10 stay in one place long
enough a. write and receive reply. So
I hear from her. but can but seldom
write. and never with any certainty
that mv letter viii reach Emmeliue.1
-But. Harry. for goodae sake. what
does her aunt want2 You are rs rich
as she Is. ia good practice i'm law, mod
Cratclv guud-l1oking. as men go. and
without wee as they say about
horses"
'Thauks." -ail Harry, bending in 4
low bow face and figure so preemi-
.entlv handsome thu. LIS friends 'mod-
cratcIy good Loo king" vas an evident
s.rcasm. ''loG are Too good What
Miss Campbell wants. since YOU inquire.
j. ~ Sscp her niece single as long as
uCssible. because while she is with her
as ehaperon, protector, guardian
whatever YOU call her position, She en-
ioys an the advantages of Emmeljne's
wealth. and has q handsome salary al
lowed hy her guardian. When Emme-
line marries she viii no longer need her
auut's services. and that lady viii retire
10 her native country village and small
income"
But why ..oes not Miss Emmeline as
sert herSeif?"
MY dear fellow. you do not remen-
I,r her-that Is very evident She Is
the most gentle. timid little woman
who Was ever under the thumb Of a
stronger one She has been brought up
80 strictly. mas lad the habit Of uu-
questioning ubcd cucc so drilled into
her. thar she will never rebel against
authority. When ! ann near her. my
VIII is the one 70 which she submits.
When ! am away she IS her aunt's
slave But she viii he of age in DC
tobcr. and then she has promised 10
marry me-
Unless her aunt makes her marry
some one else in the meantime2"
'I'm not afraid Of that. My little
girl loves me"
There was a moment of silence, and
then George. with terrific yawn. pro
posed a drive. and the two gentlemen
sauutcred oil To the stable. As they
left the house the portiere between the
library and parlor was lifted and
lady. or rather girl, Of about 10. went
hurriedly 10 the waste-paper basket.
took out the crushed letter aud sped up
stairs 10 her own room.
sol she said 10 herself. as she fas-
tened the door and sank into an arm
chair 80, he is engaged 10 En-
incline CampbelI That Is why he has
no eyes or ears for anyone else! En-
incline Campbell, Why. she is not even
pretty. \ little tame miIk-and-water
baby"
1t was very certain that such a dc
s-ription could never be used in de-
scribing her own charms. Stella
Marshall. at 10, was as superb speci-
men Of brunette beauty as could have
been found, even in Spain. Motberless
from infancy. she had been the spoiled
darling Of her father and brother
George. and had grown up imperious
as she was beautiful. with 4 viii Of
Iron thar had but seldom been crossed.
copviaesd u The power Of ASI beauty