River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-02-14

too, and once she stood at the front
door waiting for him, bright, welcom-
ing smile on her lips.
He sprang up the steps, and catching
her hand, kissed it warmly.
81 could almost imagine this home,
and you"
But snatching her hand away, she
hastily retreated to the little kitchen,
where Lettie'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 a
merry inspecting party, late one after
noon, but when they res 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
CRATE, for it was September. and frosty,
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
Roy stood on the hearth rug near her,
and when she started up unable to en-
dure his earnest steadfast look any
longer, he gently detained her.
"Your work and mine has been fin
ished here, but must we part? Will you
not marry me. Allie--be my dear, hon
ored wife? love you so truly, dar-
linel"
"You have learned the lesson quick
ly," she said, striving hard to keep cool
and composed.
'But none the less surely, my dearest,
you will say yes"
"No, mop she cried, sharply, finding
it terribly hard to resist his tenderness
II have resolved never to marry. My
mother is an invalid. She needs me, and
my duty is TO remain with her"
I l. all srule -,
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 lonely fellow, Allie.
have no mother"
"No. will not be tempted. You
would feel burdened after awhile, and
| wish that you had been less RASH"
He drew back, change passing over
| his face.
"Do you really think that? Is that
| your opinion of me?"
| Eyes"
Then will not trouble you any long
err"
| And before she could make any reply,
he had left the room, and the house.
| A moment of breathless silence. and
then she called 10 him to come back
that she had overrated her strength-she
could not make the sacrifice. But he
did not hear, and only the children
rushed in 10 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
er, in one of their long confidential talks,
| told her it was her dearest wish to sec
| her married.
Allie never breathed a word about
| her romance, but she laid her head
| down on her mothers knee, with long
qnivering sigh.
| When she returned home from work.
| one evening few weeks later. her
mo her innocently crushed the last lin
gering hope she might have cherished,
| by telling her that a gentleman had
called to see her.
"a Mr.. Roy Stuart from Australia. He
called to bid you goodbye before going
to Australia"
"To Australia? Then l shall never
| see him again" she thought. pale and
faint with bitter disappointment.
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 STARTS name, ard Allie could
not question her.
In the evening she went into the par
lor and sat down. as on that other
evening when she had SO rashly thrown
her happiness away. She looked into
the fire, so busy with bitter-sweet mem
cries she did not hear the door open, or
| turn to see who entered-until well-re-
| i
"Good evening, Mrs. Wooton, Arthur
She sprang up, then, with joyful cry.
"Mr Stuart Is it possible?"
Then they stood, hand claspiug hand,
looking at each other with silent lips,
but eloquent eyes.
81 thought you were in Australia"
said Allie at last, her glance falling.
"No / returned few days ago. Can
it be true you are glad to see me?'
"Is it hard to realize?" she said, in a
low-very low tone, her cheeks deeply
flushed.
"0h, yes after your unkind treatment
last time we were together in this room"
"Did l behave badly"
Eyes, cruelty"
"And is it too late to make amends?"
Her eyes were sparkling, and a demure
little smile played round her lips.
"Not if you---.Allie, you are no
triaing with me?"
"Do 1 lock like it? All! Roy, 1 have
been miserablel' she cried, tears rush.
ing TO her eyes.
"And so have ], my darlingw he
said. drawing her near to him.
sit was all a mistake. | could not be
strongminded and sacrifice myself; and
then-and then, it was not desired. II
Won had NOR haau aO hoctU-S
And if you had not been so dIstrust
ful. Dear wife of mine, kiss me, for for
giveness, for Joy. and then for a pledge
of future peace. That dream home seems
very near tonight"