River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-05-27

| by some giggling. pink-cheeked school
girl. who would first teach the child
rem 10 forget Aunt Grace and then
I make them miserable?"
II these young Percivals had been
7 Miss Ways own children she could not
more bitterly have resented this thing
/ IN their behalf Itwas of them that she
most thought for them that her tears
I fell with the bitterest profusiou. But
Y through it all there was the keen pang
Of unacknowledged jealousy for her
self Sne had given up her youth and
prime TO Will and his children,-and
now he had forgotten IL all
I She was rather pale ana silent when
Mr.. Percival came home 10 dinner. and
She thought that be. also was inclined
10 he little distract. But when the
little folks were all IN bed, and Lilias
aud her brothers had gone TO play
. games al q children 5 party next door.
I Will came 10 the center table. where
/ Grace was darning stockings for the
twins. who galloped through two or
three pairs a month, on an average.
trace, said he. Il promised Mr.
/ Prime 10 give YOU this letter. He
wanted me TO promise that l would adj
I yocate his cause with YOU also, but l
c0uldn do that said | would leave
. tie matter IL YOUR own consideration.
( AMI 10 So.
Grace read the letter slowly. 1t was
of marriage from the specialized clergy
aIau ~ hc church which they occasion
aIIy attended. "a sensible. straight-for-
ward statement that he loved and re-
specified her above all other women, and
woUlI gladly make her his wife. A.
she perused the lines. Mr. PercivaTs
,,e- studied her face intentlv.
"Well2 he said. rs She laid down
the paper, with slightly heightened
color; ELS il 10 be YES or mop
1t Is to be no, most decidedly
Without prejudice or bias?'
Without prejudice or bias.
.IOu cannot teach yourself to love
Mr. Prince
NO. certainly not, She declared.
Percival- face lighted up with sud
den bTiIliance.
Then, Oracle. he said. taking
both Ter hands IN his, "can' YOU teach
yourself 10 love me3 For | never
eauw Oracle darling, how necessary
$50. 4vrre ;u my happiness until Prime :
.gori> aroused me 10 the possibility Of
laaSing Won. You are my home angel
i more than mother to my children.
agJ the precious companion of my
solitary home. I scarcely dared to
uure Uujil ! coniided my trouble to
sind Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Fox advised
me to tsv Tor the treasure, NJ least.
You had better say Yes Oracle. for
shall shut my ears against any No =
Aud under these circum~tdncestiracc
NAV wisely said Yes.
n ann forty wears old. 10 be sure.
-a.i -.t. her eyes downca {, but
''Aui I am f0rty-tAree, said Mr.
P,rsivai. 'tBut even if We're eighty
tsr,c. } don't see WHY any number Of
seur- should be "A bar between me and
happiness.
And 50 the evening OF her fortieth
birthday was the happiest that Grace
had ever known.
Tine clock was striking eleven when
little Pryphcna cried sleepily from her
bedroom
Aunt Oracle. Aunt Oracle, please
81 give me a drink of water2'
Something glIttered i'm the night
light on Miss Ways finger. as she
brought the child glass of water.
"Wa8;'s that2" said Pryphena.
~ ring, said Grace. that Your
papa has just given me.
H. must love YOU very much TO
. give YOU such a ring a. that, ga Z the
IeAs!f
i hope he does. muTmuTcd Grace.
And Pryphcua turned over on the
pillow. and tr.fted into the visions of
childhood Bur it is question
whether her dreams that night We're
any -weettr than those of Aunt Grace.