River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-08-12

During that week. neither by word nor
look had Stella betrayed her knowledge
of Harry Spencer's engagement, and
her efforts to win him had rather IN
creased than diminished.
The gentlemen had read their let
tiers, and were perusing the daily pa
pers, when Stella, stepping airily into
the room, tossed some cards on the
sable; cards tied with snowy ribbon
and bearing the names of MIR. aud
Mrs. Horace Grautley" and Miss
Campbell" y wedding. George" Stel-
"a said; that little pasty-faced En-
incline Campbell. / never ina. med She
would get married! But she has money,
aud that will cover her in igniticance,
l suppose. OH" for George was max
ing most ferocious faces, have / said
anything l should not? IS she rela-
tive of Mr.. Spencer"
The innocence of this inquiry was
the perfection OF acting, and, having
waited a moment for the grim silence
10 be broken, Stella fitted away again,
to reperuse the letter in which En-
incline informed her of her aunt's mar
riage, and To apply a match 10 a sec
oud letter containing similar cards nd
information directed to Mr.. Spencer,
and skil!iulIy stolen from the mail ooX.
There was a moment of dead silence
following her departure, and then, with
a white. set face. Harry said, quietly:
$50 Miss Campbell has had her will.
She has had Horace GrautIey dangling
after Emmeline for the last TWO years
"a man old enough to be her father"
Il should suppose the same objection
YOU say prevented your marriage would
hOld good with him said George.
There is NJ accounting for woman
whims," wa he reply.
And while this arrow was ranking in
her lovers heart, EImeline Campbell
had returned TO her ity home 10 help
her aunt in preparin for a European
wedding tour. There was pile of let
ters upon her table, and the first size
opened was in a handwriting quite un-
known to her. y half sheet of note pa
pcr was folded around a letter and 4
card photograph, and upon this was
written:
Il have Just ascertaiRed that Mr..
Spencer is engaged to you. Under these
circumstances consider his attic ions
al insult to me and 10 you. 7 IA use
his last letter and picture, an justice TO
you"
And in this Enclosure was the letter
Harry Spencer had acc dentally signed
and card taken from George
MarshalTs album. Slowly, word by
word, Emmeline read the letter, and
when her aunt came in. some moments
later, she found her niece lying sense
less on the tioor, and without hesitation
read the documents that had caused he
swoon.
Ii was a year Liter. Mrs. Grantley in
a costume a triumph of Partisan art,
was chatting with friend in a crowded
ballroom in Paris, when gentleman
with a white. haggard face approached
and interrupted the conversation:
MAY ! beg five minutes conversa-
tiOn2" he asked.
Harry Spencer" she cried. with
mingled surprise and contempt. Il can
not imagine what you can have TO say to
me. sir!''
But her friend rose, and Harry Spen-
Ger 70 Ok the vacated seat.
1t is only to-day" he said. abruptly,
''thai learned you were Mrs. Grantley
and rot Emmeline! DO not be offend
ed TO the lady looked furious; Il was
deceived and l have yet TO learn why
Emmeline accompanied you TO Europe.
leaving me in ign -ance."
"You dare." began Mrs. Grantley.
aud then. remembering where she was.
she lowered her voice and told him of
the fatal letter. For moment he was
puzzled. Then he recalled the fact that
he had entirely forgotten. and klsew BY
whose hand his happiness had been de-
stroyed, for Stella. before he n North
port, had too plainly betrayed her love.
In a few brief ords he made his ex-
PLANTATION. "Aad now he saiss. u must
see Emmeline. Is she still with yoa3'
"You must LEI aie prepare her aEsss