Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-02-15

quiet. uno btrusiYe way.
Lettie's ding preparations went
merriiy on, and the ,bridegroom's best
friend sesmed to be deeply interested
in them. He certainly called on the
Harveys as often as he could, and
never failed to seek out Alice.
As time passed on she grew almost
frightened at herself, she felt so changed
50 unlike the sober-minded, resolute
girl Of former days. s}.. !. Il.
ST am losing all the practical common
sense I have gained in two years, and
going back to the romantic dream OF
younger days. must stop. I must 60
| home she thought" with troubled sigh.
But Lettie married, and went away on
short tour, and still she fingered, for
she could not get away for the urgent
entreaties of the family to stay and help
arrange Lettle and Artbur's honse, and
her mother wrote for her to prolong her
visit H i. & 5
Half laughing, half vexed, she con
scented. - A. .@%
''It seems as il the. whole world has
consplred against me, mother included.
What would she sayif she knew? But |
| will not be a coward and ruin awayp'
blushing furiously.
It was exciting, delightful employ
| ment furnishing a house. Sometimes
she would make elieve it was her own,
and many sweet thoughts fitted through
her mind while she helped to arrange
the pretty rooms. IL fe. ~
Mr.. Stuart had his share OF the work,
too, and once she stood at the front
door waiting for him. bright, welcom-
ing smile on her lips. *.z's
He sprang up the steps, and catching
her hand, kisse it warmly. %la.
II conld almost imagine this hcme,
and vou---" 49, &,H :
But snatching her hand away, she
hastily retreated to the little kitchen,
where Leltie's younger sisters were put
ting away dishes and pots and pans.
At last it was all ready for habitation,
and they went through the house q
merry inspecting party, late one alter
noon, but when they re: ched the parlor,
the younger people went on out into
the garden, leaving Roy aud Allie alone.
A small fire had been kindled in the
and the girl sat down before it to warm
her hands. She looked rather pale and
tagged out, not from physical labor, but
mental unrest .. D.. -
Roy stood on the hearth rug near her,
and shen she started up unable to en-
dure his earnest steadfast look any
longer, he gently detained her.
"Your work and mine has been I'm
ished here, but must we part? Will you
not marry me. Allie-be my dear, hon
ored wife? love you so truly, dar-
lh,g!"
you have learned the lesson quick.
ly,' she said, striving hard to keep cool
and composed.
s'But none the less surely, my dearest,
you will say yes?"
'No,, mop she cried, sharply, finding
it terribly hard to resist his tend erness.
II have resolved never to marry. My
mother is an invalid. She needs me, and
my duty is to remain with her."
'sYes, I know all your trials. r only
ask to share your duties, not to take you
from them. Your mother shall be my
mother, and together we shall take care
of her. / am a lonely fellow, Allie. /
lave no mother"
mo. l will not be tempted. You
wou ieel bnrdened after awhile, and
wish that you had been less rash."
He drew back, a change passing over
his face.
"Do you really think that? Is that
your opinion of me?"
EYES,"
"Then I will not trouble you any long
erp'
And before she could make any reply,
he had left the room, and the house.
a moment of breathless silence. and
that she had overrated her strength-she
did not hear, and only the children
rushed in to tell her it was time to go
home.
The next day she returned home, and
to work; but not much satisfaction did
she feel, and none at all when her moth.
err, in one of their long confidential talks,
told her it WAS her dearest wish to see
her married. &r,..
Allie never breathed word about
her romance, but she laid her head
down on her mothers knee, with long
qniv ring sigh.
When she returned home from work,
one evening few weeks later, her
mo her innocentlv crushed the last liz
gerlng hope she might have cherished,
Dy telling her that gentleman had
called to see her.
IA Mr.. Roy Stuart from Australia. He
called to bid you goodbye before going
"To Australia? Then l shall never
see him again" she thought. pale and
faint with bitter disappointment. f
After that she settled down in earn
est; and when, after year from the
date Of her marriage, Lettie wrote, urg-
ing her to take another holiday, she
consented knowing that to keep up her
strength she must rest occasionally.
Her happy friend had a Thousand
things to tell, but not once did she men.
ton Roy Stuart's name, aid Allie could
not question her, : Co.,,
In the evening she went into the par
lor and sat down. as on that other
evening when shehad so rashly thrown
her happiness away. She looked into
the fire. SO busy with bitter-eWeet mem
cries she did not hear the door open, or
turn to see who entered--until q well-re.
membefed voice said ,- Ea +
Good evening, Mrs. Wooton, Arthur
She sprang up, then, with a joyful cry.
90 Mr.. Stuart! Is it possibleW .
Then they stood, hand clasping hand,
looking at each other with silent lips,
but eloquent eyes. "a. "a "A 5.*s3at ~ r
i II thought you were in Australia"
said Allie at last, her glance falling.
No Ireturned few days ago. Can
it be true you are glad to see me?'
q Is it hard to Yealize?" she said, in a
low-very low tone, her checks deeply
flushed. *5n =: ,.s5 S., ii.
sOh, yes after your unkind treatment
last time we we're together in this ROOM"
Did behave badly?"8 7 ssl. Nh ! Z
eyes, cruelty"
And is it too late to make amends?"
Her eyes we're sparkling. and demure
little smile played round her lips. Ifs
"Not if you-------. Allie, you are no
tria :ng with me?" ...# #z.
I ''Do I look like it? All! Roy, I have
been miserabiep she cried, tears rush