River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-07-16
"You have been disappointes in

laugh a AOfNh AiaAlNf hNSD11 ICY,
and the girl loved me; but she married
a fellow who had more none than l.
That's the story in a nut shell. Need
less to add that / ceased to care for
her after she threw me over. But some
how my faith in all women was shat
tered until | met and loved you"
81 don't believe the heart ever truly
loves but once" she said with conyic-
ton. eff you really loved her you don't
your nature.
What do you know of love, child7 p
he demanded.
81 loved once" she confessed, a warm
flush glowing in her fair face.
"Then, according to your theory,
you love him yet" he said a trifie bit
terly.
Yes" she answered simply; II have
not heard from him directly for more
than two years. He was away when
my father died, and uncle took me
home with him Immediately. He-he
worked as assistant bookkeeper to my
father. / was very young and he was
very poor; VIZ knew we had to wait;
we were not formally engaged, but we
loved and understood each other"
Sand during all this time he has
made no effort to see you or to cor
respond with your" asked Willis, g
strange expression fitting across his
face.
"He is too proud to seek me now
she answered, valinantly. "My uncle
is rich, and he is poor. But my heart
tells me he is waiting for me and he
will seek me when he has something
more than his love to offer"
81 hope he WILL" said Willis, a little
brokenly. 81 hope he Will be every.
thing you expect. But don't make the
mistake of cherishing a romantic-idea
which may be no more tangible than
the will-o'-the'wisp. To my mind his
long silence suggests the thought that
he has given you up, realizing that
your paths now lie so far apart"
"Mr. Whilst" she exclaimed, indig'
nantly, 81 nm surprised to hear such
an expression from you; under the cir
cumstances / should ="
81 have only your happiness al
heart" he interrupted, "and I only
wish hat Heaven had decreed that !
should be the ONE to inspire such mar
velOus faith in mans love and fidelity
81 ask your pardon for doubling
you" she said with downcast eyes.
Granted" he returned quickly, anc
he roseito go 81 may be out of town fol
a week or two, but I'll see you at Mrs
SCOTS, won'tI? While I am not to be
one of the house party I'll be there the
night of the ball"
81 shall be there" she answered, ant
they parted.
It was seven o'clock, and Marie Aller
was the only one of all the guests "a
SCOTS Towers who was dressed FOL
dinner. She stood on the broad piazz;
and looked a~nxiously down the long
carriage drive, for the afternoon traiT
would bring James Willis to Scottville
Finally her impatience mastered her
and throwing a scarf about her bare
shoulders, she walked down the drive
way. She reached the gate just as il
was opened to admit the expected
guest.
He greeted her pleasantly, though
with some degree of formality. 50
walked up from the station" he ex
planned. ga June evening in the coun
try is irresistible-but / hope I'll moi
keep dinner waiting"
Dinner is at eight" she said. 60
dressed early, and-and came to NEE
you" She brought the words out will
a jerk, and looked at him appealingly
Without a word he led her to a rustic
bench near by and seated himself be
side her.
"You wished to see me alone, then?'
he asked.
Eyes" she said with a little gasp. 81
knew it would be next to impossible tC
talk with you unless | met You here
and | could not wait to tell you"
FTo tell me what?" he asked, trying
in vain to conceal his eagerness.
"I have seen him." she anwered with
a little laugh, ''and you are right anc
/ am wrong"
He pressed her hand encouragingly
81 came on the morning train" she
continued, "and it stopped at a little
town for several minutes-and / saw
him. His store is near the railroad
crossing; he sells plows and things
He looked the same, and yet different
He was talking to a country girl as
pretty as a wild rose"
Willis began to laugh in suite o fhim
self.
"You know ali without my telling
you" she said, joining in the laugh
81 don't suppose he has given me
thought since I passed out of his life
He looked contented and prosperous
and he had eyes for no one but his pref
ty companion. [ had dreamed of hin
toiling and striving for my sake, wheT
doubtless, as you suggested. he ceased
to care for me long ago. 1t is newt
able that the change in our circum
! stances should have left it's mark OF
both, but believe me, that is not tht
only reason / could not love him now
1t is true that'a look into the hazy dis
lance often discloses a beautiful pic
ture which a closer view would dis
sipate; and I have had the closer view
But-but that is not the reason l dc
not love him now"
"And the heart never truly loves bu:
once said Willis, hopelessly.
"Ah! but it does" she said softly
land he has long been s~upplanted, only
I did not know it until to-day"
And then in spite of all the window:
of SCOTS Towers staring through the
4-s1s-I4 Il I.--oJ L.