River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-28

ment for Leigh should end in your
carrying her to your ancestral halls!"
ooh, Mrs. Wendell, you know that
as iovable as Leigh is, fellow in my
position couldn't overlook the days
she was nothing less than a street sim
ger. 1t wouldn't do in England, you
know"
Leigh, returning to the music room,
heard the speech. Her eyes, usually
so bright and tender, flashed with
spirit as she quietly and unobserved
left the room.
THAT was a narrow escaped" he
thought. "Most girls would have led
me on. I mustn't make love to her if
she is a tremendously pretty girl"
There was a grand ball at Roselawn
that night and Reginald was one of
the first to enter the ball room. Mrs.
Wendell hurried to him.
ooh, Reginald, I've something awful
to tell you! Leigh overheard what you
said about her having been a street
singer She just told me she heard
you!"
He gave cry of dismay.
mo, not really, Mrs. Wendell! That
is awful! Believe me, I shall make
amends. shall ask her to marry me-"
Just then a beautiful vision swept
past him. Could this figure SO slender
and stately in trailing gown be that
of little Leigh? AS she passed through
the long room at the side Of her
adopted father Philip Hathcourt did
not remove his eyes from her.
Leigh" he murmured, as they stood
apart for moment, may 1 have the
first dance"
She turned slightly pale, hearing the
intensity of his voice, but quietly gave
him the promise of the dance. Then
Reginald came hurrying toward them.
Leigh, you were so late in coming!"
he cried. MAY tell you how glor-
iously beautiful you are tonight"
She glanced at him carelessly with
a cold, little ghost of a smile.
"I want the first Dance" he con-
tinued.
"You are too late! have promised.
it to Philip"
She danced as she sang, with per-
feet abandon that made her oblivious
of everything but her delight in the
art. Supple and graceful, she was the
very poetry of motion. The music rose
and died away and swelled in swaying,
rhythmic strains that appealed insen-
sibly to desire for motion.
The first dance ended Reginald has.
tened to claim her for the next one.
1t had seemed to him that his code OF
honor demanded by way of apology
nothing short of a proposal. But to-
night her heightened beauty and the
intoxicating delight he felt when
dancing with her made him forget any
motive but love. His wooing was
audacious, passionate and importu-
nate Her refusal, calm, undaunted
and unalterable
Surprised, yet not baff1ed, he contin-
ued to plead beseechingly.
II don't understand such inconsis-
tency, Reginald" she replied. To-day
you were proclaiming that you could
not marry street singer!"
Spare me, LEIGH" he pleaded. II
didn't love you then. You are preju-
diced now by reason of that unfortu-
nate and careless remark. Take time,
and let your heart soften towards me-
She laughed tantalizingly.
az don't love you, Reginald! And
never will"
"You did, or were on the verge of it,"
he protested.
"When?"
"This afternoon before you left the
music room so suddenly. 1 saw it in
your eyes"
"You may have seen love there" she
said, slowly, "but not for you
A quick passion seized him.
81 know for whom! Someone whose
feeling for you isn't equal to mine
someone who will not"
"Stop!" she commanded. "My an
swer is final. Take me back to the
ball room"
She was experiencing a slight exulta-
ton in the realization of the power
woman can WELD over man. This feel
ing made her eyes more luminous and
her face more radiant. They passed
Philip in the doorway of the pavilion.
He drew back out of view, all the
wounds in his heart beginning to ache
at the sight of the proud, happy bear
ing of the girl, whose countenance
was glowing and flashing with excite
ment. He came up to her quickly.
"Will you dance this with me?"
Certainly" she replied.
81 don't want to dance now" he said,
when Reginald had withdrawn. LET
us go to the house, but not to the ball
room"
They went into a deserted room,
dimly lighted by candles, to a deep
window embrasure which looked out
on the garden at the back of the house.
The moon flying swiftly through great,
floating masses of clouds sent a silvery
beam upon the gold of her shining
hair. Her eyes were full of depth and
color
A little French clock chimed out IL
strokes.
This is the noon of night" said
Leigh, trying to speak lightly
Leigh, have no right to ask-but,
did Reginald propose to you tonight"
81 have no right to tell, perhaps, but
1 will. He did"
"And you accepted him?" he asked,
tensely
mo, I refused him"
His arms were about Der. "Then
Leigh, let me tell you, T."