River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-05-10

i
The window opened, and the sweet face
appeared, deep flush of the cheeks, and
frank light in the blue eyes.
"Isbeg pardon for interrupting your
sedace," said Gordon, gravely. /" But
ventured to bring you few blue lowers
/ believe they are recommended for use
with the blue glass"
HYou are very thoughtful"
.The experiment interests me" went on
Gordon. audaciously 1t is such a new
idea, and yet there may be great truth
involved in it. / am anxious TO know
how il works. Do you feel benefited thus
farl-
I-don't-know:" the dimples dying
out, and sad little lines forming about
the mouth. 1T doesn't seem as if it
could do me any particular good. If my
uncle" Here she paused.
What were you going to say!" asked
Gordon, coaxingly.
=" ought not, perhaps. 1t was only, if
my uncle would let me walk and 90 out
a little, think it would do me more good
than the blue glass"
"Do you never walk, then, or go outl
But why do / ask. OF course l should
nav mt NOa-
"0h no, / never do, except in the gar
den. Ny uncle says life is too short for
purposes of idle recreation, and purposes
of health can be pursued at home" The
blue eyes danced through their mists as
she spoke, like sun through rain. Gordon
was enchanted.
Il never heard of anything so prepos-
ferrous" he exclaimed. "Tons of blue
glass could never make up for the lack of
air and cheerful cOmpanionship. Are you
never allowed to accept any invitations
Do you never 90 TO partiesl
Parties, Why, / don't know any
body. never spoke to single person
in POntOOsac, except my uncle and Dixie
and you. There is Dixie calling me
now | must not stay. Thank you so
much for the violets"
The window closed with an memorable
click, and Gordon walked homeward, full
fathOms five in love, and with wrath at
his heart at the uncle who thus shut up
and hemmed in a creature so fair and
bright, and formed for happy things.
Ill be even with the old dragon yet"
he muttered; and he made ready his
armor and sharpened an imaginary lance
with all the zeal of Perseus preparing for
the rescue of AndrOmeda.
Weeks went on. The blue pane opened
regularly now at the sound of particular
pair of boot heels on the pavement.
Sweet words and looks came out; roses
went in; what besides roses we will not
particularly ask. Day by day fresher
bloom tinted Bertha's cheeks-for Bertha,
it seemed, WIS the pretty name of the
lady of the pane-fresher light lit her
eyes, and day by day Gordon found both
cheeks and eyes more adorable. Making
love through a window has its sweets, but
also its disadvantages. Deep were the
consultations between the two as to how
different state of things was to be
brought about, ending always in this,
from the imprisoned Gordon: IF
worst comes to worst, there's this blessed
blue pane Its quite big enough to let
you pass, my darling; and if l can't have
you through the door, l swear l will
through the window. Wen trY for the
door first, though"
At last daring scheme occurred TO him,
and carefully shabby in dress, with his
oldest hat, and notebook in his hand,
he passed the gate, rang the disused door
bell, which tinkled queerly in the silences
within; and when, after long delay, the
blear-eyed Dixie opened, handed her
card on which he had written, Desires an
interview on a scientific subject" and
with an authoritative manner babe her car
nv it to Mr. Lang. The old woman blinked
at him curiously, but after a moments
hesitation showed him into sitting-room,
and went ON his errand.
1,,I 7
The blinds were closed and tied together
with tape. Through the gloom the black
horse hair-covered furniture showed like
mourning shapes. The mahogany table
was empty; each chair stood with its back
vigorously set against the wainscot, which
was painted pale green. What an abode
for Bertha, Gordon shivered at the idea.
He had leisure to shiver more than once
before the clapping of distant door and
a shutting foOtstep on the stairs an
nOunced an approach, and thin, pallid,
elderly man entered, wrapped in flow
cred dressing-gown of antique pattern,
and holding GOrdon's card between his
fingers.
ION scientific subject, believer" he
said, in a dry voice.
Yes" answered Gordon; 4" scientific, as
applied to hygiene. | learn that you are
testing an experiment which of late mas
been the subject ofsome study with me-
that of the beneficial result of the suns
rays filtered through glass of dark blue
tint on the frame of the human animal.
The theory is so recent that Opportuni-
ties for critical observation upon ii are rare,
and have ventured to intrude upon a
leisure which know is valuable"-a bow
here, and another from Mr.. Lang-"a
leisure which, without some valid reason,
it would be objectionable to interrupt"
another bow I" to ask that you will
communicate to me such minutie as the
time given to the experiment has permit
ted YOU to form. Do you find the re-
suit of the blue glass whatit is claimed to
be-"
Take seat, Sir" said Mr.. Lang, wav-
ing his thin hand with a gratified flush.
The intrusion upon my time is of less
consequence, as il will be a qualification
to discuss the theory in question with an
inquirer like-minded with myself. 1t is
rare in this village to find any sympathy
in scientific matters. am happy to say
that the result of my trial of blue glass
confirms the statement as to its value.
The subject young person in my own
family-has made rather marked i'm
provement during the thirteen weeks of
experiment. She has gained to an APP
probable degree in flesh and color, and
though that is of less moment-in what
is termed spirits, cheerfulness; her appe-
tite has likewise augmented. 1 regard
the discovery as valuable to high de-
gree, and am preparing digest of my
observations, to be published at a later
period Meanwhile | shall test its APP
plication TO the growth of human hair
lone of the claims made for it) by the
insertion of blue sky-light over my
study table"
"Admirable." chimed in Gordon
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