River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-08-11

coming.
A light flashed into his eyes and 1t
was surprising how much less tired
his eyes were than before he ran into
the girl. They were radiant and spark
ling. Only the crowsfeet about them
told that they were not those OF
boy.
She went along home and he turned
and watched her jaunty step and noted
the 1.-THE figure, half girlish, half wom-
anish, and the flame of great desire
leaped into his heart. He walked
down the street toward his hotel, whis-
Ting like schoolboy. His business
anxieties seemed thousand miles
away. He realized that he needed ey-
cry ounce of brain and energy he had
to meet the business crisis which he
faced. He stopped whistling and
frowned. What was he doing-a man
of his age and experience, and in his
predicament spending valuable hours
walking about the street with
schoolgirl? And what business had he
to be giving time and thought to any
thing else but his tangled affairs. He
set forth decisively TO apply himself
to the great problem confronting
him.
After all his brain seemed clearer
and his heart certainly beat stronger
for the incident. And the girl-ah,
wasn't she beauty. He thrilled again
at thought of her black eyes. She had
said tonight at ST. Marks. Yes, he
would be there. He wondered bit
about his clothes He had not inspect
ed his wardrobe for some months,
having had no time for social diver
sions So his mind bounded back.
from the business problem and re-
manned glued to the olive, oval face
and the ruby lips and the flashing
orbs of Hattie Menard.
Presently he found himself in his
room arraying himself, and later
walked into the carnival at st. Marks
He knew many people there, but had
eyes only for one. He saw her pres
emily, costumed as a gypsy, in the
-teller's booth. Straightway he
went there and greeted her as an old
friend. OF course he had his palm
read. The contact of her little hand
drove him into ecstacies he had never
known. He sought to prolong the con-
versation and invited her to the ice
cream booth.
"You must remember, sir" she said,
with downcast eyes, that we have
never been formally introduced.
ooh, that's it, is it?" he replied and
straightway sought her uncle, Hiram
Stone, whom he knew slightly. Adroit
management brought the two back to
the vicinity of the fortuneteller's. Hat
tie greeted her uncle and he introduced
her perfunctorially to DennisOn, add
ing:
"Niece of mine I'm putting through
the schools. Harrum-scarrum sort of
girl, but I've got to do it on account
of Rachel What were you saying
about N. P?
But N. r. was not in Denn1son's
mind and he shook Stone abruptly.
Later he asked Hattie if he might
call and received permission, of which
he availed himself on the following
evening, much to Stones bewilder-
ment On the following afternoon he
met her with a buggy as she left
school and took her riding. Saturday
he took her to the golf links and Sun
day afternoon for a long ride. By this
time he was making the most ardent
love to her. He spent only enough
time at his office to read the mail and
give a few directions. On that Sun
day ride he threw discretion to the
winds and begged her to become his
wife. After some teasing, she accept
ed him and it was agreed, inasmuch
as Uncle Hiram might interpose OBJ
iections and delay matters, to slip
quietly away Monday morning and be
married in neighboring town. After
a honeymoon Of two days they re-
turned and occupied apartments at
Dennison's hotel and he went briskly
to his office to meet his banker, his
creditors and his hackers. He did not
drag his feet, as he did when he
walked out discouraged and forlorn
the week before. He walked briskly
and confidently and it was noticeable
that his eyes sparkled and the crows
feet were gone.
"Well, l guess you've raised the
money, Dennison," said the banker,
smiling.
mot at ALL" replied Dennison,
seating himself confidently. "The fact
is / haven't tried. In fact I haven't
had time. I've been too busy getting
ms .ried.
Married." exclaimed the party in
unison.
ooh, yes" replied Dennison. "And
congratulate me, gentlemen. l have
found the sweetest girl in the world.
You see I was fool enough to think
that credit and business and work and
success was all there is TO life. I've
learned differently. There's something
else and I've found it."
"But about the business?' gasped the
banker.
'Well, I've been thinking about that
a bit coming down this morning 1t
looks to me just this way. Here is
the business. You know the condition
We're making money and if you will
leave me alone I'll pull out and there'll
be profits galore in a few months. If
you force me now, I'll have to let 1t
60 to smash and we'll all lose together.
It's up to you. I'll do the best can,