River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-11-11
a GOOD FOR NOTHING.
Or COURSE. my reputation preceded

III NOtkSt4. mE reputation preCeueO
me; you've been IL my fathers
house six months, my pretty cousin.
and in the three that elapsed before
my arrival YOU must have been thor
OughIy posted as TO the one black sheep
Of this virtuous family. Don't say No
An accurate knowledge Of my relatives
assures me that they have been as
flank on this occasion as on many
similar ones in the pa e.
Jack Dangeriield delivers these re-
marks in his LATEST drawl. looking up
from his place on the hassock AZ Ethel
Masou's feet. in the half-lighted, de-
serted parlor.
They are an alone tonight. for Mrs.
Dangerfield and her daughters have
gone 20 some ball or reception. whittier
Cousin Ethers little cough would not
permit her 10 accompany hem. As
for Jackie never goes TO balls or
receptions; he eschews society in gen
eral, and that OF his family in particu-
lar
Il haven't heard your sisters speak
81 YOU very often" SAWS Ethel. hest
Eating as memory leads her back
through the few conversations which
have had Mr.. Jack for a text. They
were cNplici; enough. II brief and far
between.
"Nu- 7 suppose not: bul when they
don't speak they imply. by signs and
hints. that we could an II We would
and 50 on. as Hamlet said So he H.
I would not deprive them o. such .
pregnant theme for a m the world. ouiv,"
he saws quickly. and his gray eyes
iarkeu and fash. II could fiud IL In my
heart to wish that they had spared YOU
he recital. that might have a fair field
and ne favor with nv Cousin Ethel"
Your Cousin Ethel admits no out
side influence 20 bear or her friend
ships" says the girl smiling: land
you know that we are fast friends-you
aud T.
Are We Yes. believe We came
- mutual compact OF that sort;
friends as fast hopclessly good-for-
nothing. God-forsaSeu fellow and an
ignorant. innocent. little tender-heart-
ed woman can make You sit afar Off
with your folded hands. and your white
garments held up safely out % the
ruud, and feel sorry. In an angelic fash
ION. for my sins. and look out of
the pit and think how might have
lived for You once. anu wish 10 God
might die for you now"
Jack Dsugerield's lazy little drswi
y quite gone; the storm Of sudden
fashion has swept All the lauguor and
world -veariness from ont his dark. dis
contented face.
''JacI'"
lie stops her before she can add an
other word
Hush" starting 10 his feet and
standing tail and straight before her.
and looking down at the little sideloug-
leaning figure and the upturned face.
Il knew il would have to come-I-I-
can't have my Cousin Ethel for my
friend. ! must lose all. because -
oh, DON, Jack-dOn't say it," she
cries. his meaning flashing upon her
with pure pain aud pity. "Oh. what
have I doueS-
Done. What God Himself can't
undo. unless He Kills my soul with my
body. I shall love YOU through all
eternity-love YOU and hunger for YOU
n do now. Ethel" and he bends over
her. his hands upon the chair Ethel.
let me alone for a miuute-iuSt one,
Dou't answer me: lct me have nv
dream for that little while. before the
bitterwrench comes. as know 10 must"
There : hush in the room as he
turns away. He walks to the window
and leans his forehead against the
pane. staring out into the blank street.
The clock ticks on and the ashes drop
in the CRATE while they wait there.
these two. on whose hearts every sound
falls with a shock. every minute drops
le5jeuIy.
Ethel"
nc comes ~ last ard kueels down
by her, stretching his arms out over
Hsr lap and looking up. haggardly. as
L he we're Urayiug for pity a a shrine
"uh. Jack. I'm 50 S0rry-sO Sorry."
She hides her face in her hands he
cause she cannot bear that look in his.
Hr that craving quest Of the great gray
eyes
Jack paugerfeld is quite stiH for
minute. only he draws his breath with
one hard sigh.
Arc YOU sorry FOR me- he SAYS. al
last, in whisper God knows need
it,"
I'm 50 sorry. Id give up my life TO
to comfort you. Jack. il you'd only
lc; me he your friend your sister"
There j. grim heartsick smile on
Jacks mouth at this purely womanly
suggestion. His teeth shut together
for minute till they grit. and he turns
his face away.
Ethel. between YOU and me there
never could he any other love but-but
the one. and that's impossible I've
wiped the last chance out years ago.
and I knew IL when | looked IN your
face the first time never was mad
enough 10 hope IT, child. I only used
20 Think OF Il sometimes-how {; might I
be If | had a new lif' to live. and your
hand TO hold all the wsy."
lie drops his head on her knees. ard /
the little. soft, womauly hand crecps 1
over II. touching the dark hair pitifulIy. /
''Jack. Is il very hard TO beare''
God keep you from ever kuowiuS!" |
he says, hOs-seiy.
lie has shown me- whispers Ethel /
Mason
Jack fits his head up with star, I
He looks juto her eyes. AID sees in them. q
for the tiIst ;jmc. the strange liksness
o. his Own despair
VIII OF let me tel YOU s1nlethinra 4
Nobody ever knew il. and nobody ever Il
will-eNcept YOU. | want yo- . KNOW I
how sorry I can be for this. anCl-s- A.
why il is sc utterly impossible. .luo 4
NV chance OF happiness once. .Ia,l..~t
W.T., = r:tiful little smile. ''and k;nsd T
& ms sslf-the only love 1 ever cared Tor 4
ant wanted. or ever shat. ] pat way 4
iron me-just by nv own folly; AM
there IS nothing more hoPelessly dead /
and gore than my chSEee 81 ever being
glad again In this woTld. Jack"
He has nc answer for a minute, ex-
C. pt - take up hsr two hsHdS aud kiss