River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-11-11

only take il away from you."
you see il never could be as-as you
wish H." she says. dropping her face.
Il never could give another han wha.
gave him. And he never will know il
now, o. know I'm sOrry-but that ) my
punishment. Jack. don't talk about 4
TO me-" She breaks of. drawing her
hands from his with sudden shiycr OF
pain. Its al hopeless and over and
done with, and | shall never care for
myself again, whether live or dir; but
do care for you, dear, RDd want TO
help you, IL you'll let me; II you show
me the way 90 make some one living
creature a little happier or better be-
cause of me-"
Her voice and her ewes are full Of
tears, but he does not seem 10 see or
hear them.
Help me. It's no use, little cousin. s.
he says. bitterly. ''No use fighting the
devil, for he was born in me-it's in my
blood. Ethel" grasping her hand back
again in his, III ever said prayer. il
wouldn't be for my own worthless soul,
but for you-for vow God to bless you,
my darling. and bring you back your
Then Jack Dangerfield's voice gets
stified in his throat, aud the words halt.
He cannot bring his lips TO say your
lover"
There Is a soft roll % carriage wheels
outside in the night; Mrs. Dangerfield
is coming from her ball.
As Ethel hears Il. she springs up; and,
so doing, gives j. little cry as something
falls flashing from her dress and rolls
on the carpet.
My locket.-Oh, take care!" for Jack
steps aside quickly-too quickly.
The little blue-aud-gold toy that he
has seen every day round her neck lay
just at his feet, ard his boot-heel has
crushed il as Ethel cries out 10 him.
lie drops on one knee to pick il up.
BY Jove! I'm sorry didn't see IT.
It's too bad. I'm swfully sorry. Ethel. {"
What had Mr. Dangerfield discovered ?
= name inside the golden circiet. and
the small colored likeness of n mans
face-a comely face enough, blue-eyed
ard fair. and full of right royal pride
His eyes rest greedily on il for sec
ond, and then flush up into hers. They
ask single question, lad they have
their answer.
Give il TO me-" cries Ethel, hurriedly,
the blood rushing holly TO her face.
oh, let me go. Don't let them find me
here
stop one inmate" he says. laying
4 hand on her shoulder. aud facing her
with strangely white. set look. Tel
me, Ethel. you loved him. Would you
should you have married him."
II told you not 10 speak &c me about
him. Why do you ask me that? /
should" she said, passionately, break
ing away from him.
He let her go. There is no more now
10 ask or hear. Aud when the night kew
rattles in the lock, and Mrs. Danger
field and her daughters troop rustllng
into the hall, they see Jack standing
alone in the parlor, lighting cigar as
lie leans against the mantelpiece, star
ing at the mirrors faithful reflection
Of his uonchalant, handsome face.
Jack, have you any engagement for
next?"
~ positive one, my dear sister" Jack
answers, decidedly.
"Oh. | supposed so. Ofcourse:" SAYS
Miss Louise. Struggling her shoulders.
as she glaEces at her brother oss the
dining able. Il know YOU always hs I've
an engagement when we want Won:
cnly | did imagine that you might
strain point TO oblige US on this occa-
sion"
rs Il so momeutous a one?"
Only that we're disappoin ID in our
escort TO the Academy. I'm of no con-
sequence. of course: but know Ethel
has set her heart on going"
Indeed, don't carei" begins Ethel.
Very sorry" says Mr.. Daugerfield.
raising his eyebrows. ITS extremely
painful to me to decline so pleasant a
luty; but. as said. my engagement is
positive
Il should like TO know"
Where IL is" On the Union Pacific
By Tuesday next I devoutly
hope TO be steaming across the CONT
nent"
Jack Dangerfield. what do YOU
meant" cry three voices i'm chorus.
That I'm tired of the customs of the
'ast. and intend TO shake the dust of
this section. in particular. of my feet.
please God. the day after Tomorrow
Going back? WHY. Won haven't been
iome three months from San Fran
,isco!"
Judge of the Juggling AZ my heart
strings that draws me that way after so
brief an absence"
Mr.. Danceriield rises deliberately.
hen Strengthens MP his six feet OF come
y proportion. and then looks down in
his ,istless, half scornful fashion at she
faces ofhis family.
As he looks. his eve catches Ethers.
His own sallow. coiorleSs face turns a
.hade paler, and he gnaws his mus
ache savagclv.
Its very extraordinary, begins the
,lder Miss Dangcrield.
Il leave YOU to con IL at your leisure"
ser brother interrupts, cooily. II have
he proud satisfaction of knowing that.
or once IN my life. my movements meet
our full and exact appreciation"
With which last speech he turns and
walks out of the room; and he has not
leard one word from Ethel. either of
wonder or remonsiranceO or simply curl
,sity
So Jack Dangerfield, according TO his
maturcd plan, goes steaming