River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-09-23
4 MOTHERS SACRIFICE.

tisticallv coiled about the small head.
Perhaps for this same reason she had
dismissed the butler, when he entered
according to custom to light the lamps,
or perhaps because the slow ticking Of
the clock upon the mantle revealed to
her sufficiently the lapse Of time with
out compelling her TO distinguish the
hands upon the face Of the dial draw
ing nearer and nearer the hour whose
close approach dissipated the calm
ness she vainlv strovC To gain
Eighteen years had passed since she
and Arthur Mainwaring had met. They
had been lovers in that far-oH time
but he was poor then, with no whisper
i'm the air Of the rich inheritance to
which he afterward fell heir, just too
late for it to bring happiness to either.
Not that they cared for wealth, either
Of them, but then there were older,
wiser minds to Judge for both, and so
each vowing eternal VOWS, they were
torn apart.
Six Short months later She married
Edward Wingfcld He was Fortunate
", not a man to look for love and senti-
ment in his young wife-only wifely
duty and obedience. In these she never
failed him. and after his death the
world found proof Of his esteem in the
fact that TO his widow reverted all his
fortune, untrammeled by a single res
ervation.
She had married very young. She
was but 81 now. Would he find her
changed. She wondcred-he for whose
coming She waited here tonight?
simultaneously with the thought
came the sound of carriage wheels and
horses hoofs on the gravcled walk.
She started to her feet, pressing both
hands upon her fast-beating heart
Only that morning she had received
the telegram announcing Arthur Main
warnings coming, and already he was
here. She was glad, 0, so glad, that
the room was dark, when she heard the
quick. firm tread She had sometimes
heard in her dreams during these long
years of dutiful living; SO glad that he
could not see the quick blush, which
put her matrOnhood to shame, when
the door was thrown hastily open, and
three or four swift strides brought him
to her side
Barbara
O, how his voice still thrilled her
half with pleasure, half with pain,
His tall form lowered far above her,
rs in the oldcn time. but he held close
i'm his own firm, tender grasp her two
little trembling hands.
care you glad TO see me- he qucs-
toned.
She stroye TO answer, but her lips
quiyered and no words came.
Barbara" he SAID then again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower.
at i too soon to sneak -
..Oh, Arthur, she answered, can |
atone?'
And then the bridge of years was
swept away, and She sobbed out her
happiness upon his heart.
''Let me see YOU he said, ut last.
II have not yet seen the face for which
have hungered all these years.
He struck light, then turned and
looked at her
"My darling he said. 1t is still
my beautiful Barbara. What have |
done to deserve this hour?'
Mamma, whore are YOU? called
out fresh, girlish voice ut this instant.
The next moment young girl Of
scarce Il summers sprang into the
room.
This is my daughter, Arthur-my
only child Dora, let me present you
to one of your mothers oldest friends
The gentleman indicated looked from
one TO the other-from the mother to
the daughtcr-thcn back again. Now
he could realize the lapse of time
now he could appreciate the changes
wears had wrought twas rs though
he had brought the past and present
face to face forcing him To acknowledge
the impossibility of natures standing
still
The daughter was Il fair counterpart
of the mothers beauty. AS she looked
now. shyly extending him her hand rs
if in depreciation of her uncCromonlous
entrance so had Barbara looked, when
extending, her hand in farewell. as
though She would have said. Il am
forced into it by a stronger will than
mine
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
i'm his breast-a dumb warning against
the inCvitahle-an acknowledged desire
toretrace life's pathway and conquer
time
Meantime The Young girl pouted the
full. red lips. n though She thought her
mothers friend strangely absent; and
when he nj last forced himself INTO 4
few words of greeting, they fell upon
dull. unhecdng ears.
Then She had gone. The lovers were
alone again, but he no longer opened
wide his arms. but instead, drew Il chair
to her side that they might discuss
more nationally.
you must teach Dora to love YOU,
she said Il him next morning / want
first to reconcile her to my second
l.. -.
probability. Tell me do You think her
like me2
Your second self.
All, ann 50 glad. You viii love
her chen. for my Sake?'
To love and to be loved. Ger easy
task sent 10y frail woman III her blind
ness Itmust be Mr. Mainwaring who
must be Dora ; companion in her daily
ride Mr. Mainwaring who must teach
her how to manage the cOckle-bOat--
for which he had sent to town in these
first early spring days. The lovers
were seldom alone now
Dora looked upon their guest rs her
property. She had long ago laughing
H. told him how unceremonlous had
been his welcome to her, and he had
wooed and won his absolution.
watched them together, while she sat
alone. but She gave to the sigh no name,
and thought it tribute to the vanished
years.
One day came her awakening. Dora
and Mr. Mainwaring had gone for their
afternoon ride, but it had extended be
yond its wont, and she had grown
anxious and gone out 70 meet them
striking into the forest path which was
their fayorite way Half a mile from
her home she met Dora's horse, rider
less Pale with terror, she FASTENED
on, when She suddenly stopped, rooted
to the spot. Almost at her feet kneli
the man her heart had loved always
and in his arms he held Doras uncon
sciouS form.
MY love! my lifer he said eaci
word being borne distinctly to her ear
speak to me once-just once. Oh
Dora. are you hurt? Ny darling, wouk
that | might have given my life ~
yours.