River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-05-19
Yes, she was wondrous fair, ami

Only yesterday he had been in Whit
ney's studio, and after a look at the
artists new creation. they had sai
down to enjoy an hours chat and or
his chair, fang there by the busy
haEds, had hung a sumptuous velvei
garment, heavily broidered witl fur
Moved by quick impulse, he hac takeL
the great soft thing and had 70 ded i
gently round the marble for a.
There had been a little silence -theI
Whitney. with a sigh and the shade
Of q sadness lowering in his Dreamy
eyes, had said quietly:
"And yet, Beresford, she is l.nly
woman of stone"
Involuntarily the words repeated
themselves to him this night, and ht
drew g. quick breath.
"A woman of stonei" Surely IL e two
were akin, Could nothing touc'l this
woman who sat row rnn1oyed. while
The immense audience we're sway ed by
the power of song2 Were the e no
hidden chords of tenderness, of feeling
within that faultless shape? Was there
no heart beneath those folds of tulle
and satin-those cleaning, fla ;hing
stones?
FROM the friendly shelter of the dark
curtains, he studied her intently this
brilliaat, beautiful wife of his old
friend He was curious-he confessed
it to himself-there was something he
could not fathom. Those smiling lips,
those 1iolet eyes, were trusty, uny ield-
ing santinels of the heart below they
guarded we'll
She was still fascination to HIM
Iater-as they sat in the luxuriolsly
appointed drawing room, after the
opera, where the freight rose and Tell
in fitfui, reddish gleams-the jasmiles
heavily scented the air. and the Did
colored woman she had brought fir om
her American home, went noiseleslly
to and fro with the dainty fragile SER
vice.
It was all picture-BeresfOf
thought, and just then the host had COME
in naughty, reserved, dignified, as b.
fitting the bearer of his name, and wiz b
him, bonnie little chap of six, The
heir to all these vast estates.
his mothers side, and despite the late
ness of the hour. his blue eyes were
wide open.
ooh. mamma, come quick and see my
birthday gift" The eager little hands
drew her impatiently toward the music
room, the others following slowly.
"See, mamma! 1t talks, and it sings
and it plays just like the band out in
the square, only I like Dixie better
than God Save the Queen!' Quick,
fix it, papa! Now listen!"
She smiled a little at the childish
excited face, as the clear, ringing tones
of Sousas band came pouring out into
the quiet room.
Her husband leaned over her chair.
ITS really very good, American al
together" He smiled down at her.
There's one thing | want you to hear
| don't know the voice. must make
some inquiries-but it's superb"
Then he turned away and she leaned
back against the soft cushions and
carelessly crumbled bit of wafer in
her slender. jeweled fingers.
There was a little hush-the rain
outside beat steadily against the long
windows-it was a wild night
Last night I dreamed your golden hair
Lay soft against my face,
And that your fingers in my hand
Had found a resting place"
1t was mans voice, divinely sweet
and tender-a marvellous voice-and
Beresford leaned forward in wondering
delight, while his host quietly enjoyed
his surprise.
81 dreamed your girlish lips met mine.
And that your dewy breath
Did whisper thoughts against my
cheek
AS would give life to death;
Did whisper thoughts against my
cheek,
AS would give-life-to-
There was rustic of soft draperies
-Beresford glanced up impatiently-
then he sprang to his feet in sudden
alarm
She had risen and was gazing stead
lily over at the wonderful instrument.
The beautiful face was ashen pale and
the violet eyes were full of horror AS
he looked, the slender figure swayed
back and forth. the white hands were
thrown out despairingly, and she
would have fallen, had he not caught
her quiclfly-and only his ears heard
the low, piteous cry:
Douglas, oh Douglas. forgive!"
ooh, little maiden whose soft lips
Are sweeter than May dew,
Just lean a moment on my breast
And make my dream come true"
sang on the exquisite voice. But she
did not know nor hear-she would not
again for many neutrality-suspicious. new
er-the great physicians said nervous
prostration-too great social strain.
And only Beresford knew, that
Douglas" whoever and wherever he
was, was avenged.
"And make-and make-my-dream
-come-true."