The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-11-16

look better after your charge during
my absence
81 don't think you ought to blame me
for it, Mr.. James. If you put fire 20
wood you must expect it to catch
alight, and any one who saw you de-
liberately leave them two together for
six whole weeks, would have thought
as | did-that you wanted them to
make match, and did it on purpose.
"Oh! very we'll 1t can't be helped
now; that will do
But left alone, the man suffered bit
terly, and none the less that, by want
of forethought, he had brought it on
himself. The housekeeper was right,
and he was wrong. If he wished to
win Margaret he should have remained
upon the spot, and not let his smooth
tongued, fair-haired, audacious nephew
walk over the course in SO aggravating
a manner. If he gave decided denial
to his suit, Margaret would learn to
look upon him as her enemy and the
opposer of her happiness; but if ne
sanctioned their engagement, and it
ended in marriage, Ruthven was GER
tain she would be very miserable
woman. Fo he had cause to distrust
Hamilton Shore, to consider him weak
of purpose, and he knew he was not
the man to make good, honorable
husband.
How much his own grievous disap-
pointment had to do With his decision
If ic inonnccih1o tn fnr tho hast
of men are frail where their feelings
for woman are concerned; but he
resolved that, at all events, the en-
gagement should be but nominal until
both parties concerned had arrived at
a true estimate of their own powers Of
fidelity. So that when Hamilton, con-
fident of success, found himself alone
with his uncle that evening, he was
rather taken aback at being told that
his marriage with Margaret O'Reilly
was for the present an imposSibility,
and that Ruthven would not even con-
sent to the engagement being consid-
cred settled event.
you are far too young to think OF
such a thing, even were you the pos
SCISSOR of a thousand year; but under
existing circumstances, | can not un
derstand how any one with particle
of sense could wish to draw young girl
into an engagement which has no pros
pect of being ended
"Ohi come, uncle, think that is put
ting it little too strong Why
shouldn't it end as other engagements
do?"
How are you to support wife, and
when?"
well, I suppose my profession will
bring in money some day, and then l
thought"
''What?'
"That you would help us, uncle"
Exactly so. That l should supply a
suitable income for your housekeeping.
Why don't you say SO at once? But
you may dismiss that idea from your
mind ] have no intentions of helping
you in any way"
$. think it's precious hard" grum-
bled the young man.
you can think what you choose.
adopted and reared you for your moth
ers sake, and mean to put you out i'll
the world, but further than that / do
not see that / owe you any particular
duty. And certainly will not help you
to make fool of yourself land per-
haps mar all Margaret's chance of hap
piness in this life) one day sooner than
is necessary.
why should I mar her happiness 2"
Because you are not steady nor re-
liable, nor always truth-telling. If
you outgrow these propensities, which
I sincerely hope you will, you may be
ready to take the duties of marriage
upon yourself. But at present it is
utterly out of the question"
But you cannot prevent our being
engaged to each other, uncle
Nor do l wish to prevent it, so long
as it is distinctly understood that it
letters neither party. If you continue
constant to Margaret until you become
of age, | will talk to you on the subject
again. But, meanwhile, l shall send
you abroad"
"Oh, sayr' said young Shore, depre-
catingly.
Excuse me, say" retorted Ruthven,
dryIy, you have never attended as
strictly to your studies III London as
you should have done. Now we will
see what a less exciting place, and the
ambition of working for Margaret, will
do for you. l have an English friend
established at Rouen, who is as capa-
BILE of directing your work as your
present tutor. l shall send you to him
as soon as the preliminary arrange
ments are made. Meanwhile, you will