River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-03-23
BARBARA BRANDT.

mending, and the patches are three
deep on the table cloth now. Oh, deari
| wonder if there ever was family SO
poor as we are. It's nearly year since
/ had a new dress, and my ribbons and
belts, and nets and things, are just
about gone and no hope of ever being
able to buy more. Pm getting really
desperatep, Thus spoke Kathie Dun
can out of the depths of her impa.
thence, pushing scissors and spools and
unfinished mending away from her
with little motion of disgust.
Ash Duncan got up from the lounge
where he had been lying and llmped
slowly and painfully across the floor to
an open window at the other side OF
the room. A fine looking man In
health, but pale now frow the effects OF
the wound that had sent him out OF
the army six months before, disabled
for life.
Getting desperate, grille? What
then do you think of me?"
Something in the expression OF his
face, in the quiet hopelessness of the
tone brought the quick tears to her
ewes. In an instant her arms was
about his neck, her sunny curls close
to his cheek.
"What do | think of you? Why that
you're the best brother in all this world.
| know it was selfish for me to talk like
that whea the poverty comes just as
hard on you as on me. Pm like a
spoiled baby, always fretting, but you
never complain-nor Barbara, thread
ing his darkshair through her fingers as
she talked.
She stopped as carriage came into
view around corner ofthe quiet street
"a luxurious carriage, drawn by a pair
Of blooded horses that were the admlra-
ton of the whole town, aud driven by a
man whose appearance accorded well
with the stylish turnout as it drew up
at the Duncan door.
A troubled look came into the broth
er's eyes as he saw.
You'll have to go and entertain MIR.
Anderson a little bit, Kathie," putting
the girl gently away from him. Bar
bara is not quite ready yet, | think. "
While the sunbright head OF one SIS
ter flashed out of one door the other
came in by the opposite one-only a
half-sister to these two, though-beau.
tiful Barbara Brand. Half-sister and
second cousin also, for Mrs. Duncan's
two husbands had been own cousins
bearing a striking family likeness tC
each other, which accounted for the
fact that Ash and Barbara looked very
much alike, while each resembled theil
father, Kathie alone having her moth
er's blonde beauty. There was couple
of years difference in the ages of these
and Barbara was the elder; but you
would not have guessed it, looking a
them both with a strangers eyes. H'
was twenty-five, she twenty-four. Blu
those three years of army life had lief
their mark upon him, while she wa
radiant to-day in silken garments tina
trailed as she walked, with sparklin;
iet-clasp at her waist, with pretty, sOf
scarlet shawl about her, and blacl
dotted veil shading the lovely brunette
face.
"Will l do, Ash ?"
az think you will, Lady Barbara"
And truly she would.
To be sure woman's eye woulC
have deserted poverty in every fold o
the carefully preserved silk; would
have OWNED that the trimming which
gave the dress such a distingue air haC
been put on to conceal dire rent il
the shining fabric; would have discov
cred the darns in the filmy handker
chief, and discerned that the bonnet
becoming as it was, was of last year
fashion. But then she had not dressed
for a woman's eyes this time.
She stood long time before the gias
tying on her bonnet. AT last, ct don
suit me yet Please fix it, Ash. Yol
are so handy-handie a good deal
than Kathie," kneeling down BESIDE
him, this queenly Barbara, so thst HI
need not get up.
Presently, 81 am glad you sent Kathi'
away. | want to speak to you mo
ment before l CO." laying her TIVE
hands on his shoulder as she still knel
there. "When l am Leo Anderson
wife you can have every comfort, Ash
till you are strocg again, and after tina
money to go to the commercial college
As you have wanted to de-"
you are going to marry that man
Barbara :"
"He asked me three days ago, and
promised to give him my answer thi
afternoon"
And your answer will be"
"My answer will be yes
Barbara, Barbara, what are you dc
ing? And what of Bertrand Stevens ?
He could see how white her face wa
as she made answer;
Bertrand Stevens ship came in ST
weeks ago. But we have not seen him
IL
maybe not. He may be sick. O
something may have happened"
Her hands shook as they rested o
his shoulder.
81 thought so till last week-whe
Captain Brass told me that he was i
New York month ago and saw hin
There was lady with him, he said
She stepped there, not saying an
more, not crying either-her eye
looked as if they would never wee
again.
"And you have known this weeI
Barbara"
Yes"
That was all.
She stood up pretty soon. 81 hav
kept Mr.. Anderson waiting Ion
enough"
Ash caught her hand as she was turn
ing away.
Don't bind yourself by promis
lust vet, Barbara. Wait"
She shook her head.
Impossible. l promised him
definite answer to-day. | viii not tl'ifl
with him as-as l have been tribe
with"
When she was gone Ash Duncs
went back to his lounge. Kathie hs
fitted away to neighbours for a
hours chat, so he was alone, and lyir
there he fought over again his ow
battle-the battle he fought with h
own destiny on that day when the SUI
geon had told him that he must be
cripple all the rest of his life.
1t was thwarted, Disappointed if