The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-02-14

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door waiting for him, a bright, WELDON.
ing smile on her lips.
He sprang up the steps, and catching
her hand, kissed it warmly.
could almost imagine this hcme,
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-
longer, he gently detained her.
"Your work and nine has been I'm
ished here, but must we part? Will you
not marry me. Allie-be my dear, hon
ored wife? I love you so truly, dar.
ling"
| 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 nee DIS me, and
my duty is to remain with her."
Eyes, I know all your trials. I 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 lonely fellow, Allie. I
| have no mother"
mo, l 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?"
| yes"
"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 breathIess silence. and
then she called to 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 to tell her it was time to 60
| home.
The next day che 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.
Allie never breathed word about
her romance, but she laid her head
down on her mothers knee, with a long
qnivering sigh.
When she returned home from work.
one evening few weeks later. her
mo her innocently crushed the last liz.
gering hope she bright have cherished,
| Dy telling her that 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 I SHALL never
see him again." she thought. pale and
faint with bitter disappointment.
After that she settled down in earn
est; and when, after a 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.
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, 80 busy with bitter-sweet mem.
cries she did not hear the door open, or
turn to see who entered-untila well-re-
! membered voice said,-
Good evening, Mrs. Wooton, Arthur
She sprang up, then, with joyful cry.
"Mr. Stuart! Is it possibleY
Then they stood, hand clasping hand,
looking at each other with silent lips,
but eloquent eyes.
II thought you were in Australia"
said Allie at last, her glance falling.
''No returned a few days ago. Can
it be true you are glad to see me?"
els it hard to realize?" she said, in a
low-very low tone, her checks deeply
flushed.
"Oh, yes after your unkind treatment
last time we we're together in this room"
tDid behave badly?'
eyes, cruelty"
"And is it too late to make amends'"
Her eyes were sparkling, and demure
little smile played round her lips.
mot il you ~ Allie, you are no
triaiug with me?"
'Do I look like it? All! Roy, I have
been miserable!'' she cried, tears rush.
ing to her eyes.
"And so have I, my darling"' he
said, drawing her near to him.
lit was all q mistake. I could not be
stronguinded and sacrifice myself; and
then-and then, it was not desired. II
you had not been so hasty-"
And if you had not been so dlstrust-
full. 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"