River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-11-13

had met her-that thus should he rem
der himself immortal.
He grew pale and wan in the days of
anxious suspense, when those who
watched over her couch knew not which
would conquer, the angel of life or
death. But there came an hour. never
to be forgotten, when he was admitted
into her presence.
She was very white, very fragile, bat
more beautiful than in the coioriDg OF
perfect health. A new expression, too,
was in the violet eyes raised to welcome
him.
Il am very glad to meet you again"
she SAID gently. II near you have been
aaxious about me. You were very
kind"
Then he words he had not metnt to
speak burst from his lips.
"Anxious he said. "Can a man
Ms, R4yburn, perishing of hunger, hear
of the famine without shudder? am
presumptuOus, you will say. 1t is true.
What is my life, with its many sealed
pages in which your eyes could never
look, that should dare offer it to you?
And yet, purified by your love, would
try to make it more worthy. Tell me-
answer mel If serve as Jacob served
for Rachel is there hope that may win
you?-My darlingl my darling! love
you! / cannot live my life without you!
VIII you not share it?
Lower and lower drooped the lids, I'M
I'll the long. dark lashes swept the mar
ole check, while the sweet mouth trem-
bled; but the monentary weakness
passed as she spoke:
Forget all that you have said, Mr..
CLAYTON. 1t can never be"
you do not love me?" he questioned,
sadly.
Again that swift exposition of pain
fitted across the lovely face.
81 shall never marry" she answered,
"but," and in her voice crept an almost
pleading tone, 81 need my friend very
much, Mr. Clayton. Do not desert mel"
Il cannot he replied. $40 desert
you would be to desert hope of one
day forcing you to unsay your cruel
words-the hope which will go with me
to my grave"
What was the barrier between them?
This was the question ever ringing in
Harold Clayton.s ear. AS she looked
when she procured his doom, so he fam
GANh 0A4C AliiSllb AlhNt ACOhNd "AiSh hAA(
statue warmed into life.
Since then, she mad been colder, more
distant, than before; but he had caught
the momentary expression, and trans
ferred it to the picture on which his ev-
erv leisure moment was spent.
He was thus engrossed, one morning,
ever striving to add new beauty to his
almost perfect work, when low knock
at the door aroused him.
Come in" he called, then bent anew
to his task, without so much as raising
his head, until a low laughing voice
sounded close beside him.
I'VE were caught in the shower, Mr..
CLAYTON, and | persuaded Margaret to
seek shelter with me here. did not
dream she would find herself forestall
ed"
1t was Mrs. Somers who spoke-the
lady who first presented him to Miss
Ray instruction he had,
unknown 20 her, carried out.
Margaret" she added, turning to
her friend, you have been sitting for
your portrait, and did not let me know.
Why have you kept it such a secret !"
lie had now sprung to his feet III
time to see the rosy tide spread over
Margaret Ray burn's face.
at was liberty | took without Miss
Rlyburns knowledge, Mrs. Somers,"
he explained. II assure you have
never been so fortunate as to secure a
sitting.
well, you shall have one now, and
YOU must thank me tor it, she rejoined,
while Margaret turned away TO ex-
anime the sketches lying about in pro-
fuse confusion.
Here are some sketches taken while
| was studying abroad, Miss Rayburn,"
san Harold. "Will you amuse your
self by looking at them?'
"l will return IN few minutes" in
terrupted Mrs. Somers. "Wait for me,
my dear"
y word of expOstulation rose to Mar
garets lips, but too late. The door had
closed behind the speaker.
Silence fell between the two thus left
behind when a low cry arrested HarOld's
attention. He sprang to Miss Rayburn's
eide.
His eyes were fixed upon little
sketch she held in her hand. Ii repre-
scented a gambling table, at one end of
which sat man, haggard, deperate,
despairlng, and by him child, holding
out to him single gold piece, with 4
smile in her eyes and seemingly prayer
on her lips.
You would know the history of that
picture" he said. Let me tell you.
Years ago | was in Hamburg. The
gam bling tables attracted me, and
every night found me beside them, losing
or winning according to the fortune of
the hour. One evening the demon i'll
luck pursued me. l lost and lost, until
found my all was slipping from me.
In the vain nope of retrieving it l went
on, until knew that | was beegared.
Maddened, desperate, | determined to
put an end to my miserable life, when
some one touched my shoulder; child
angel stood before me, and slipped
into my hands a piece Of gold. For
my sake" she whispered. The croupiers
hoarse call warned me no time was to
be lost. | staked the gold and won; but
turning to give her back her own she
had fed. When | rose from the table
/ had recovered all and more. but |
vowed a vow TO my unknown deliverer
that | would never again hazard dol
lar OF the fortune | considered hers. |
have never found her, Margaret. The
child will never know her work, but |
am not afraid to meet her, for | have
kept my pledge"
Haroldl"-it was almost whisper,
but something in the tone made his
heart give a wild, joyus leap have l
known you all this time, and you have
just found me out? 1t was this, Harold,
when separated us. | dared not give
my life to man whom | had first
known as a gambler. | supposed you
still played, and | thought to see again
the expression on your face | had seen
that night would kill me. Tell me, is it
true? Have you never touched card
since? ?"
Never ~ he answered soemnly.
And it is to you owe tit and life.
Pearl-little Pearl, can you not trust
the man who has been so long faithful
to the child to be still faithful to the
woman. My own, you will not doom
the life that you have saved"
Bat at this juncture, Mrs. Somers
opening the door, beats precipitate re-
treat. Harold's statue has warmed
into life, and pressing the lovely lips to
his, he thanks God that it is his breath
which has awakened it.