River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-02-25
FOR BESSIE'S SAKE.

How II st0rnCd that day, The rain
was perpendicular at one moment. horl-
zontal the next. at the mercy Of the
wind. The streets were swift rivers.
In some places the water poured up
aud out of the shallow cutters and com
pletely submerged the sidewalks. From
The roadways of the great bridge sheer
torrents came rushing down, and the
crowd thN had taken refuge in the
bridge entrance could hardly see the
city hall or park It stormed steadily
for an hour; then, in i slight abatement
came ont Of the elevated railway stair
ease, where had been waiting. slipped
up my umbrella, and walked briskly
southwark At one of the east doors
Of the post office / suddenly ran against
Gertrude Haskell. Her appearance was
30 striking that I exclaimed aloud.
What in the world
She was dressed in thin brown cam
brio, an ordinary midsummer costume,
aud wore shabby black bonnet in
one gloveless hand She clasped an open
letter evidently Just received; in the
other she held a dripping red parasol
which she had not reopcncd. The rain
beat squarelv in her face, and She did
not seem to mind il. Her face, | no
ticed then, was pinched aud wore an
agouized expression. ! quickly drew
her under my umbrella and repeated
my exclamation, slightly modified.
What IS the matter. child2"
Her lips moved couvulsiveiv. Il cant
tell YOU here, she answered.
knew forthwith that something ter
riblo had happened
had known Gertrude some seven
years, and no Formally was necessary.
| had not, however. seen her for two
months and over, so that was 10y no
means informed as to her present cir
cumstanccs.
Where do YOU live now2" / asked
"thc same place."
mo; not thcre-up in Harlem.
cant 90 back now
thought she spoke wildly.
Come then. said, IN let my own
affairs rest. Come home with me. 1t
won't take long. I'm <till in the
square.
| hurried her along back to the ele-
waited railway staircase, whence / had
so lately emerged, dragged her up the
steep steps and through the station to
the train. ! remember the gateman
looked curi0usly at US. Gertrude had
such a white, drencLed appearance.
Twenty minutes later we had reached
nv home and the privacy of my own
chamber. Fortunately. | had a little
wine. which forced her to drink.
Now I said. tell me all about
it. The sooner told the sooner
know whether anything can be done or
not.
Gertrude was now less pale the wine
had give her temporary strength. She
sighed heavily.
Nothing can be done, she said ia
tone of despair. 1T is about Bessie"
Go on, | said to encourage her.
bad never seen Bessie; the Girl had al
ways lived with an aunt in the West
But | had heard Gertrude speak
tenderly of this absent younger sister,
and | had seen the picture of a pretty,
piquant face set in brown, soft curlS.
She seemed to swallow something
then resumed:
Il loved her-I think you know this.
II was the object of M life to work
hard and save my money to establish
a little home. where Bessie could come
to me. ! did not believe she was happy
out there Aunt Hester was often
harsh She let the child have no pleas
ure. young society, nothing but hard
work. Bessie was not cvil-minded she
was not dcceitful bv nature Ii she
grew so il was all Aunt Hester fault.
and she should suffer for IT,
Gertrude had begun TO trembe.
Harm has come TO Bcssie?' ! asked
reluctantly. '.Shc i not-doad2
1T might be better if she were. bu: |
i cannot wish she We're. and Ger
trude broke into piteovs, uuTestlained
sobS.
'Stil your sister," said softly.
when her grief had somewhat expended
its force.
Gertrude wiped her eyes
yes; always my sister, she repeat
ed And | must 90 TO her at once
and bring her beck with me. I must
to help her begin anew
You know where -he IS
II shall fud her.
She rose then from her seat.
Il have good deal to attend TO.
she said, "before | ieave tonight.
Tonight | yrntured Ia all
the storm
Storm said Gertrude. ironically.
what else will my life be until her
wrong are righted?'
She left on the Q o clock train.
went about with her sRd tried to help
her little, though there was not much !
for me 20 do.
During the next three or four days !
often thought Of my absent friend. Won /
deriDg what she had accomplished, if /