River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-05-01

81 supposed it was poetry" said the
girl.
"They always do" said Jasper.
The girl looked up at him with a
pretty grimace.
"You are not bit encouraging" she
said.
'It's the better way" said Jasper.
Sand yet you write verses yourself"
said the girl. "And get them printed,
too
perhaps it is because I haven't a
friend honest enough to dissuade me"
said Jasper. 81 have had no time for
that sort of nonsense lately, how
ever"
"That's pity" said the girl.
"Don't think to soften me in that
way" said Jasper.
81 like those lines beginning she
came upon me unawares,'" said the
girl. 81 know them by heart. She
came upon me unawares, turned and
she was there"
81 beg your pardon" cried Jasper.
''It is your lines that are under consid-
Grafton. Pray produce them"
The girl gave him sidelong glance.
''Did she come upon you unawares? p"
Mr.. Dane?"
Jasper caught the glance and slightly
flushed. His look grew troubled again.
81 live in hopes" he said.
'"That's enigmatical," laughed the
girl. cit shows you are not sure"
81 must object to your manifest in
tention to throw me into a sentimental
mood" said Jasper. cit will not help
you"
The girl laughed and passed the
manuscript to him.
'I know you will like it,"she said.
EWhy are you so certain?" Jasper
asked.
Because I haven't written on both
sides of the paper" said the girl.
Jasper bent over the manuscript to
hide his smile. Then his look changed.
The smile faded. He read the lines
with great care. Presently he looked
up.
The girl had been regarding him in
tently. She met his eyes with an in
quiring glance.
"You want me to be frank?" he said.
"Of course"
''The lines are quite too sentimental.
They are of the old school where sem
timent reigned. Nowadays we bluntly
call it gush."
"But it's not all bad, is it?" queried
the girl.
''By no means" replied Jasper. ''The
execution is good. If the fripperies
and affectations were dropped it would
be very passable. If you would heed
my advice-they never dol might be
tempted to ask you to try again.
He folded the manuscript and hand
ed it to her.
"Thank you," said the girl.
81 am sorry if my judgment seems
harsh" said Jasper.
est DOESN'T said the girl.
81 have tried to treat you as an hon
est friend should" said Jasper.
"Thank you again." said the girl. 81
will admit that L hope to see my verses
in your paper
"Try again." said Jasper.
The girl arose and put out her dainty
hand.
"I am glad to know you, Mr..
Dane" she said. "I have very dear
friend who has sung your praises until
I am quite jealous. Twas really anxious
to meet you. Good-by." Then she
swiftly added with charming smile:
"I am sure we shall meet again"
The smile and the words quite over
came Jasper.
CT hope So" he fairly stammered
as he arose to his feet and watched her
f1utter from the room.
AS he resumed his seat card upon
the floor drew his attention. The girl
had dropped it. He picked it up,
caught sight of his name, and at once
recognized the angular handwriting.
Then he read it aloud:
"Dear Dane-This is my daughter Leonie.
inst come home from abroad. What she
writes goes, of course. Yours,
''LINAS LAMSON."
Dane softly whistled.
So this was Lamson's little girl, this
splendid young woman! How charm
ino she was, and how friendly. Had he
hurt her feelings? What brute he
was! 1t would have been such a SIM
pie thing to publish the verses. And
She never showed him her fathers
note. That was noble of her.
He picked up his pencil and bent over
his work. And presently he softly
hummed:
She came upon me unawares
I turned and she was there.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.