Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-04-08

S. BRIDGES in Home Companion.
her face toward me, although she
dropped her eyes Phyllis. whom
have you promised my place at your
side tomorrow morning."
Phyllis was silent, but something
like a sob shook the slender form be-
side me, and I felt my heart softening
again. Perhaps, after ALL undue
pressure, or even compulsion, had
been brought to Gear upon Phyllis IN
this matter | am poor man, com
paratively speaking, and there are
plenty of richer fellows floating about
Chicago. [ never had looked upon
Phyllis father and mother as wealth
seekers, or even designing match
makers, but it's easy to be deceived in
people. Phyllis was true as gold and
faithful as a gas collector, knew; but
she loved her parents dearly, and was
very yielding by nature sometimes.
And if Phyllis no longer loved me
l.
thought I am not one of the in
dividuals who court pain and suffering
under the guise of new sensations, 7
merely to see how terribly thing
may hurt or how long the smart of
wound may be borne without finch.
ing. 1 placed my arms about Phyllis
again, drew her head tenderly down
to my shoulder and kissed her few
vently. I was sure it was sob which
shook her just as | lifted my own
head.
Darling" I said, my whole nature
throbing in response to that murmur,
darling, tell me; / won't be angry
not with you-indeed, l won't be.
my sweet one. But let me know the
worst at one-please, Phyllis, if you
love me ever so little. Is it a member
Of my own sex who is to accompany
you to church tomorrow morning?"
Phyllis made no answer, but from
the manner in which she burroweo
her forehead down against my coat
sleeve / understood her to NEAR
Yes"
'Do your parents desire you to &C
company him?' I asked next, ano
once more the burrowing movement
was translated into an Affirmative.
Phyllis, I said, my heart sinking
as I put the crucial question, do you
love this fellow who is to take ny
place tomorrow morning?"
And once more I knew she was try
ing to say Eyes"
More than you love me?''
My voice trembled a little
COULDN'T help it-and the form M
rms still surrounded shook with tn,
emotion which could not be re-
strained. But the head which
crowned it telegraphed ''No" this
time, and emphatically. II took heart
castle.
"The fellow is rich, suppose?"
ventured stiff1y, an undisguised sheer
in my tones.
NO" came the answer.
But he will be by and by" was the
way in which | tempted Providence
next.
II think hope so" said Phyllis
in a smothered voice.
[ raised her head dramatically
could bear no more-and looked upon
her face. She was actually laughing
at the knowledge that she was break
ing my heart. | folded my arms upon
my breast instead of about her and
strobe across the room, leaning upon
the piano. AS | looked at her the
laughter died out of her countenance
and trouble came up in her face
She looked like anything but girl
who would thus trifie with a mans
purest affections, teach him to love
her devotedly, and all for what?
Merely to throw HIM over care1essly,
just as she discarded a worn garment
or an old glove, for the sake of man
with few base dollars coming to him
by and by. Perhaps, after all, had
been a little hasty and Phyllis was
the victim of parental compulsion
And yet-she had said she loved him
and she certainly had laughed!
| scarcely knew what to do or say