Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-03-19
LOIS.
THE PATHETIC STORY OF A LIFE OF
SELF F-SACRIFICE.


An old red farmhouse, with its roof
sloping toward the road, and rambling
off at the back in an undecided way
until stopped by the great barn, whose
open doors showed full mows and made
a dark setting for the vista of blue hills
beyond. Along the side of the house
were ranged squashes and pumpkins, alb
soring their last allowance of sunshine,
and the wide south porch was hung
with strings Of peppers and braided
ears of corn. The front door, with its
fan light and iron knocker, opened on
a narrow path leading down to the
road between rows Of prim China as
tiers but the iron knocker was appar-
emily seldom raised, for the path was
grass. grown, and an arm OF the tall
rose-bash had reached quite across the
doorway.
South of the house the orchard
stretched away, the pyramids of gath
cred fruit making vivid spots of yellow
and red against the brown grass.
Through the still air came now and
then the mellow thud of falling apple
or the sound of distant chopping, and
over all lay the soft haze Of an October
day darkened here and there by the
smoke Of brush fire. The house ia.
ced the west, and just now all its little
old fashioned panes were winking and
blinking at the setting sun as though
there was a good understanding be-
tween tbem. The place seemed the
very healt of content !; but down
where the orchard slored to the road a
sorrowful little drama was being enact
ed. 1t was a common one-merely the
parting of two young hear.s-some-
thing we smile over every day, thinking
how soon it will be outlived and the
actors were no tragedy king and queen,
only little New En- gland girl of six
ty years ago and her farmer-lover.
There had been tears aud vehement
pleadings. but they were over now, and
the two stood gravely regarding each
other across the old rail fence. The
girls clasped hands rested OH the fence
and young man covered them with his
strong brown hands and made final
appeal.
"Lois, think what you have chosen
think what it will be to be shut up
there with your grandmother
81 know what it will be better than
you can tell me but that doesn't alter
my duty" answered the girl steadily.
"But is it your duty ?" urged the
young. eager voice. "Your father is
well able to hire housekeeper to look
after things and take care of your
grandmother. There's Sam Johnson's
widow, she'd jump at the chance of
such home"
A wan little smile glanced over the
girls face. "How long do you think
grandma and 'Viry Johnson would a.
gree ?" she asked.
swell, then, couldn't grandma 60 to
your uncle 'Bijah's 2''
"No, David" was the answer.
"You know she tried that oCce and
couldn't staud the children besides
she was born in the old house and says
she shall die there. It's no use talking;
notody except father and me will bear
with her, and we must look after hel
as long as she lives"
"And the Dunns live to be ninety"
said the young man.
Her face paled little, but she said
"Yes," quietly.
80, Lois" he hurst forth, "don't do
it 1t will be living death. Come
with me. Now that have this splen-
did chance, l want you to share my
success, for I know | shall succeed"
Ppm sure of it," said the girl, with
sinple faith looking up to the sunburn-
ed face with loving eyes.
Those sweet eyes AS he looked
down at them and thought how soon he
should be beyond their light, he leaped
the fence, and, throwing his arms a.
bout her, drew her closely to him.
But even the sweet sorrow of parting
was to be shortened, for while the girl
clung to him there came shrill call
of "Lois Lois ~ followed by a
weak. impatient blast on the dinner
horn.
With few hasty words of farewell.
she broke from his detaining hold and
ran swiftly through the orchard.
When she reached the great fat door
stone, she stood a moment with her
hand on the latch and looked back Up
the road went solitary figure. How
far he had gone already The sun was
down, the fields looked gray and bare,
there was chill in tie air, and as she
shut the door behind her she seemed to
shut out forever youth and hope and