River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-02-25
observed Mrs. FELTON,. "Don't catch

Presently Lu6y were dlOuc, lub IWO;
who, in three years, had, with no pledges,
promised each other much. Both knew
whittier they were tending, half uncon-
sciously forging chain which needed
but one riveting link for lasting union.
The pale, proud, thoughtful face in the
moonlight. The man in the shadow.
Only last night he had spoken lightly,
but earnestly: "Milly, will you tellm
tomorrow evening how it is to be?
have waited my year"
Others had been about. 1t was but a
whisper, when he said Goodnight.
She had smiled in his eyes and nodded,
sending him from her happy and salts
fed, confident and secure. He knew she
would come to it in time, and it was
such sensible match.
Yet as he sat there, waiting, waiting,
something seemed lacking. Nonsense
utter nonsense! But after all, subtle.
cooling change. Camilla would come
to him in few moments now-her pure
lips his at last, her calm hands gentle
pressure, his arm about the slender
waist. Surely, what more could be de-
long dream?
Overhead, from chamber window,
trilled 2 rich voice, few vibrant, feel
! ing notes breathing of love and warmth
and longing.
To the mans cheeks the blood sprang
holly. So had she sung to him by the
/ brook in the sunny day. Again he was
/ i,1o ba inh t11r6 in q
arms, the scent of her straying hair in
his eager nostrils, the brilliance of her
eyes glowing in him, her breath, that
soft arm bare against his neck. Again
his pulses racked with that quick, pas
sionate kiss, and again he laughed
hoarsely, even as upon the stream-for
it was nothing.
He hardly saw the girl come toward
him in the moonlight. Only when she
stood before him and her sad, clear words
fell upon his ears, did he remember,
and he shuddered, trying to hate him.
self.
Camilla put her hand upon his head.
Irving" she said, and her voice was
unlike Milly Felton's, "a year ago to-
day you asked me to be your wife," Rad
way reached up for her fingers, and they
closed firmly upon his own. Last night
you told me you had waited the IL
months l begged for, and now you are
listening for my decision. Wait! do
not interrupt me. In all this time have
prayed for and expected but one result
Last evening l felt there remained no
obstacle let you see that. Since then,
l have been thinking for both OF us,
Irving. l want you to help me. 1t is
very hard.1
He made no reply, save to stroke the
soft hand.
Il believe we can be happy together"
! the girl continued with a little sob. But
are our feelings all that they should be?
| Do we mistake affection and admiration
| for something more? l am afraid for
you, Irving-afraid for myself. How
may we gauge what is called love? In
you there lies a fire l have seen flame
and sparkle I do not call it forth. Peo-
pie say am cold and reserved-perhaps
seem so, but underneath there is some
thing which startles me. Alas! you do
not kindle it. If you did, l would
would-oh! l would not be satisfied with
so little as to stand here with my hand in
yours. Yet that is all feel want from
you--you with so much to give. Cam
not you understands"
Yes" answered Railway quietly, 81
do, dear You do not love me, that is
ALL.
AND you Irving-am / not right?
If you can honestly say you do, l will
try again. 1t seems hopeless now, but
| will try"
mo, Milly, it is useless. Yes, you are
right. l thought l loved you. Let us
endeavor to forget it all"
A great flood of relief surged through
him, as he bent his lips to the cold,
trembling fingers-free!
So they remained for full minute,
motionless, silent, thankful. Then the
girl stopped and kissed him tenderly.
quickly in.
Irving Railway sat and looked at the
stars. Truly, the hand of Fate was upon
him. at is all meant" he reflected. 81
will not fight it." How natural the steps
behind him seemed. He did not even
start when Sally Terriss spoke. Her
words, too, fell as if directed by his own
over-powering wish.
Come" she coaxed; take me down
by the little pond. 1t is lovely there, and
not late"
Her touch upon his arm as they
strolled down the path, her ripple Of
words like the song of the brook. Yes.
he would tell her, there by the moonlit
water, now so near-so near.
eve been writing to Jack" ratified
Sally. Hes the best old thing-never
scolds. l told him all about this after
noon and that tender embrace"
your brother?" queried Railway.
Brother! / like that. Jack is Mr..
John Banning, and am to be Mrs. John.
We've only been engaged three months.
so it isn't out yet. What's the matter?
You made a noise like one of those bull
frogs. Dizzy? Here, let me hold you,
so. Better? That's right. What was
I saying-oh, yes! You see, when you
carried me across the brook l sort of
shut my eyes and made believe it was
Jack. l wrote him you were a staid
creature, and an awfully poor substitute,
so guess he will forgive me. What, 60
ing back already? Why! We have just
come out"