River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-09-06
THERE was no doubt in Dorothy's
mind that she had made a wise de-

mind that she had made wise de-
cision. That is, according to a pc
cuniary view of the thing and the smil-
ing approval of a host of poor relations
whose procliyities for advice, hereto.
fore, were in i'll proportion to the size
of their purse.
And though inwardly rebelliOus, the
idea of sacrificing herself on the altar
of Mammon seemed to her as interest
ing as it was odd. But money could do
anything! All the pinching little econ
omies that they had been compelled to
practice for years would vanish like
snow under a MONDAY sun, and some
sense of independence be established
But there is no getting over the bitter
fact that other thoughts, and, perhaps,
other hopes, had been crushed into the
background.
'All that is past and gone, though "
Dorothy told herself with a stanch
sense of propriety, land mustn't al
low myself to think too much about it. .
She passed her hand, little YEARLY
through the brown hair that waved
back from her face, and leaned one ell
bow meditatively on the window sill
thinking of the future she had laid out
for herself, and living over, in hun
dred ways, the past.
Then she thought of Harry. and look
ing gloomily for an instant at the dia-
mond that sparkled on her finger, drew
it off, slowly, and with a sigh laid it OF
her lap. No, it had not been an en-.
Uaperueuf exacflv-but-
There was all the difference in the
world now. Had he not, only the night
before, after all that had passed be
tween them, entirely ignored her and
carried Adelaide Hunt, bright, dash,
ing brunette, to the SWEETEST hop of the
season, while she remained at home
That was all. But it was enough. Sc
that when Col. Eggerton, as usual
called around, and, as usual, proposed
she promised, in desperation, final an
swer on the morrow.
So that answered. acceptance-was
written and signed with a scrawl, AnC
laid on the library table to be posted
In one day everything had beer
changed. 1t did not seem possible, yet
as she sat by the low vine-screened win
dow, soft wind lazily lifting the loose
hair on her forehead, each event ost
up in lurid distinctness before heI
mind
Then a brilliant red famed over tn,
girls face, and faded off suddenly, as
tall, athletic young man came quickly
up the walk. As Harry BainbridgC
stepped on the low veranda, she left hel
seat by the window, and gave him hel
hand with a friendliness that ill-be
tokened any inward agitation.
The shining regard that broke over
his face at sight of her, brought tn,
soft color to her cheeks. She smiled 1
little uEeasily-and drew her hand ou
of his
VIII you sit out here ?" she said. "It
is cool, and pleasant"
He bowed a smiling assent and sanI
into the empty chair next to hers.
You did not expect me?" he
queried, studying the girls face critic
ally. She was pretty-very pretty.
tall, slim girl with regular feat ures
and expressive gray eyes.
II knew you were here, and came,
he went on. May l tell you why?
want to ask you-to tell you how much
love you, and to ask you to marry me
if you will"
Dorothy flushed and turned away, 6
sort of desolation sweeping over her al
his words.
Il would rather you would not-nor
say such things" she returned, nerv
ously, moving away from him.
But l must" he continued, hal
smiling and trying to look into her face
1T is my first opportunity to ask you
] did not feel that 1 had a right to be
fore. But now, 1 am in fair position
to-"
He paused for one moment to glance
at her face, now turned to him, half
frightened, and with an earnestness al
most pathetic.
You must not, you must not, in,
deed" she choked back little dry sob
1T has all been a mistake wretcheC
mistake" she went on brokenly, hel
face pale with suppressed feeling.
She was staring past him, vacantly
at the wide green garden, now bril-
liant with thousand perfumed bios
SONS, while, with hands cold and trem.
bling. she took the ring from her LAP
and reaching toward him suddenly laid
the glistening thing on his knee
He looked at her in a daz9l sort OF
way. the happy light dying out of his
face as his fingers closed mechanically
over the trinket.
9
Won't you keep il? p
A look of keen disappointment
crossed his features as he looked at her
u would rather not" she returned
her voice tremulous in spite of herself
"You see twisting the end of her
SASH am going to marry some one
else, and"
Dorothy"
He had risen and was leaning
against the banister rail, where he
could look her directly in the face, and
where she, too, could see him. He had
grown very pale, and with deeper
throb of pain than any he had yet
known, waited in silence for her to say
something. but she did not, and he went
on. never taking his eyes from her face
Il came mere to ask you to be my
wife. feeling and believing that You
would give me the right 10 think of anC
love you-aIways. Was l wrong?' III
continued his breath coming quick anC
dry. after all that has passed between
us-to hope?"
The girl looked up for an instant, but
the stern CLEAN that shot from hel
companions eyes caused her to turn
away. Suddenly the thing that she haC
done rose, gigantic, before her, blacl
with a thousand nameless doubts. Sht
almost faltered; only strong sense o
propriety withheld her, and a sting o
memory of the night before sufhced Il
strengthen her resolution.
Gould you not easily console your
self with Miss Hunt? You seem t.
admire her very much" She SPOKE
with some bitterness ana her fac,
hardened. The girls heart was max
ing It's protest, unconseiously, but
surely.
An expression, half of amusement
came into BaInbridge's face, as h
caught the strange night in her eyes
but he made no answer, and, in spite
of the girls indifferent shrug, lool
of annoyance crossed her face.
A breath of wind. heavy with the
fragrance Of summer, fiuttered ths
ribbons Of her soft gown, as she