River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-09-28

out of house and home. Dark whisper,
ings and muttered threats which BODIED
no good to Mr.. Darlington were freely
INDUCED in, and Rory Devine polished
up his old rifle with grim look.
But the loss of his home, which few
short weeks ago had seemed to Brian
the worst calamity that could befali
him. had faded into utter insignificance
beside the one great absorbing passion
of his life.
He feared with dread the keenness
of which struck him like dagger
thrust, the inevitable parting which he
knew must now be close at hand.
Though poverty sealed his lips with
a seal that love strove in vain to break,
the continued struggle was telling upon
him, and the hopeless look in his eyes
often caused the heart of Mrs. Dolan's
pretty lodger to beat with wildness
that startled her.
One dull, heavy morning, about a
month after their first meeting, Brian
came tramping down the moor and
across the meadow, couple of doge
at his heels, and look on his face
that caused Mrs. Dolan to remark:
''Sure, there's Mister Brain, lookin'
for all the world as if he was going TO
be hung!"
A moment later he was in the cool,
grily at the occupant of the big arm
chair
1T has comet" he said, bitterly Mr.
Darlington arrives to-day by the 10: IS
p. m. l shall fetch him in the dog
cart from Coolardy."
She gazed up at him with soft little
sigh.
And l am leaving at noon,' she OK
claimed. Il have had letters from home
this morning"
His lips twitched little, and his face
paled beneath the bronze.
''Then it is indeed the deluge!" was
all he could manage to say.
How he passed the few hours that re-
manned before her departure he could
never recall. The whole world seemed
to be slipping away from him; and
when he drove her to the station and
watched the forlorn little face fade
away as the train bore her from his
sight his heart sank very low indeed,
and he turned away with groan he
could not repress.
Meanwhile Mrs. Dolan had not been
idle. The news of Mr.. Darlington's ex-
pected arrival had spread far and near,
and Rory Devine, with two or three
others, spoke in hushed whispers of the
loneliness of the road from Coolardy.
The little station platform looked
drear and inhospitable as Brian stood
evening awaiting the arrival of the
1915. The mare kept pushing her vel
vety nose against his arm, as if con-
scious of his trouble.
His patience was not too sorely tried,
however, for few minutes later it ran
slowly alongside the platform and de-
posted solitary lady passenger, whose
figure seemed strangely familiar in the
faint glimmer shed by the lamps.
As she came toward the exit his heart
gave great leap.
"Olive!" he cried, a note of bewilder-
ment in his voice.
She laughed TREMENDOUSLY.
Eyes, it is L. she answered.
"But nowhere is Darlington?
She laughed again, a little quaver-
ingly.
Here" she replied; 81 am Mr..
Darlington
Il must be very Dense" he said at
length: but there is some mystery here
that | cannot understand. VIII you
please explain?'
She shivered at the change in his
voice, and laid one hand on his arm.
Il viii tell you as we go along" she
said.
He helped her to his seat and gath
cred up the reins.
In the darkness her lips were trem-
bling piteously and her eyes were full
of tears.
1T is quite simple" she said, as they
spun along. II have taken up the
mortgage"
His hands frightened or the reins in
voluntarily.
''You?' he said, hoarsely.
She nestled closer to his side.
''Why not?" she asked.
He could not speak. Love and pride
were fighting hard battle. By her ac
ton she had made the gulf betwixt
them well-nigh impossible.
If he told her of his love - the love
which he now knew was reciprocated-
the world with its usual lack of charity
would call him ''fortune-hunter."
He breathed hard at the thought.
you are not angry with me?" she
sighed.
Before he had time to reply squirt
of fire leaped from the thicket at the
side of the road, followed by sharp re-
port, and, with cry of agony, the girl
fell heavily against him, slipping hud-
died heap at his feet.
1t was a week later, and they were
seated on the hillside where they first
met Brian Hennessy's lips were tell
ing the old, old story.
Il love you, Olive, beyond ALL" he
cried, fervently kissing the helpless arm
in the silken sling.
And you win forgive poor Rory?"
''If you ask it" he replied, gravely.
The girl smiled demurely.
Then / think, Brian, we may consid
er it settled. For the future l shall
make my home with you in dear old
Paddy's Land. Chicago Herald.
WASHINGTON'S WEDDING.