River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-14

G-O-~~-- ~ A1Ct41u16ulf Ad0AOO AhtO hOA
face, and rich, warm blush Redeemed
her cheeks, tinging even the shell
like ear. Believer saw, with infinite
relief, that the first encounter was te
be decided in his favor. He smiled
and bowed, looking very handsome in
mis- evening dress.
i hope" he ventured, that you
are not tired after your drive"
Mrs. Fleetwood was looking at him
across her daughter.
is 1t possible" she had begun
I'm afraid it is, mamma" Lesley
cut in mischievously. Somewhere
there's been very big mistake
Whether it's our fault or this gentle
mans, ! don't know"
Let me take all the blame" said
Believer, hastily, ''if blame there be-
for letting myself appear to be what
| am not. 1t was hard to withstand
the temptation of having two ladies
as companions on the drive"
And made personal remarks
and gave you two francs for your
self" Lesley threw up her two little
hands in horror.
1T was the sincerest compliment
ever received" said Believer. II shall
always keep the coin in recollection
Of the pleasantest drive of my life
He was wonderfully happy again by
this time.
And that was really your own
coach and you are not an Italian?"
II am as little Italian as you are
drive my coach for my own pleasure
about this coast. I have rented one
of those old watch towers which we
passed on the way and am having II
furnished and fitted up for me now
1t would give me great pleasure il
you and your mother will take tea
with me there one afternoon"
"That would be delightful Lesley
exclaimed; but her forehead had a
little, thoughtful quicker and she
spoke abstractedly. Believer feared
that she was trying to recall the
things she had said in English to her
mother in the course of the drive, and
to keep her from a reflection that
might be dangerous to himself, he
dashed into conversation.
''By the way" Lesley was saying,
eve saw in the visitors book that
Lord Believer is in the hotel. He seems
to have arrived to-day, for his name
is just under ours. Do you happen
to know him?"
Lesley had glanced curiously as she
spoke along the row of diners linger-
ing over their nuts, and now she
turned full to her companion. In
spite of himself he flushed scarlet. He
was beginning a stammering reply,
when the look on the girls face
checked his words. The truth had
flashed into her understanding like a
lightning stroke and she was endur-
ing bitter modification when she re-
membered how freely she had spoken
of him in his own hearing. Her face
first crfmsoned, then froze into icy
haughtiness. Believer looked at her
beseechingly and would have spoken
had she not stopped him with ges-
ture. She murmured something to
her mother, both ladies rose, and,
turning their backs ON Believer, with
out word or sign, they Joined the
crowd moving from the room.
The lamps in the long, white house
were nearly all extinguished when at
last Believer went to bed, but not to
sleep. AS soon as it was light next
morning, he was dressed and out,
and, taking a small boat on the beach,
he pulled out beyond the tiny pier
that forms the harbor of Amalfi. Rest
ing on his oars, he looked up to the
quaint, white hotel.
Suddenly a window was thrown
open and a graceful figure, dressed
in some loose, white morning wrap
per, stepped out on the balcony. 1t
was she! Believers heart beat fast
as he looked up at the girl he had
loved at first sight standing with one
little hand shading her eyes from the
sun, drinking in the beauty of the
scene. Presently she looked down, as
it seemed, into his very eyes. He
thought she recognized him, for with
an impatient movement she hastily
went in, closing the window after her.
Deiectedly Believer rowed ashore
and mounted the long flights of steps
to the hotel. He thought of packing
I'D his things at once and finding an
other lodging until his own place
should be ready for habitation; but a
certain obstinacy in his nature held
him from his course. After all, was
he so much to blame? Had he done
a thing too bad for forgiveness? II
he frankly apologized to the ladies,
ought they not to forget his impulsive
error of taste and receive him again
on a footing of friendship? He deter
mined to seize the first opportunity
for an explanation.
He had not long to wait, for as he
was passing down the long corridor
on his way to the salle-a-manger for
breakfast door opened in front OF
him and Lesley herself appeared
Miss Fleetwood" He had begun
appealingly, when she turned on him
look so full of resentment that the
words died on his lips. She passed
him with a hardening OF the dainty
features and her pretty chin in the
air. Believer fell back, biting his lip
For the next two or three hours he
wandered wretchedly about the
ancient town and presently found him
self again at the little port, where he
began to talk with one of the Italian
masons employed on the works fol
strengthening the pier. Suddenly
this man broke of in an explanation