River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-03-28


respOndence with DR. Forester, and
believed we were as good as engaged.
] am sure he never regarded me other
than a friend, and just cared for me
/ anyway because / was your cousin.
Don't you remember telling him !.
take care of me?n
Yes. yes Well. know some one
filled his heart and mind with doubts.
You should have cleared all those
away. Claire. You would have been
happier"
Tears filled Claire's eyes. She
turned her head away. as her aunt
entered the room.
Harry returned to the bonnet sub
I ject, and few moments after Claire
went out.
''She is a dear, good girl; really an
angel of mercy. Many weary hearts
bless her." Harry.s mother said, as the
door closed after Claire's retreating
steps
Saturday afternoon came. and Claire,
in the prettiest little cottage bonnet
I imaginable, dove-coIor, with trim.
mings of the same shade, presented
herself. ready to accompany Harry to
the promenade concert.
Even Nettie had to admit the bonnet
} looked well enough" as Claire was
( just leaving of her mourning. worn
for her mother.
/ Harry declared her prettier than he
had ever seen her before.
Claire" he said, as they turned
from admiring a painting on exhibi.
+ ton in n window. ''lOOk at that child
standing at the corner! See how Gag.
erly she looks into the faces passingr
.'Oh, yes; and see, too, how much
anguish there is in her face. Come,
we viii speak to herr said Claire. APP
( preaching the little girl
just then the child's eyes rested an
instant on Claire. With glad cry she
spraug forward. and caught hold Of
her dress. saying:
You are kindi Oh, come with me
mamma is dying. don't know what
TO do. They sent me for a doctor.
I Where can go to get one?"
+ $50 with her; / will step over the
I way to DIR. Halls. and overtake you. -
( Harry said, Fastening of.
On their way, Claire learned from
the child, her mother was a stranger
in W. She had come from Vir.
ginia in quest of work. The friends
( she expected to find were out of town
that all their little money was spent,
and her mother grew sick few days
ago. and she feared would die, because
she could not buy medicine. and was
so weak from hunger.
Claire hurried on. but before they
had gone three squares, Harry over
I took them.
DIR. Hall was out, but found an
other. lie is coming; will reach there
as soon as we" he said.
Claire was bending over the six won.
an. when u quick. firm step, entering
\ the room, caused her to turn and raise
her eyes, to meet those of the doctors.
I Forgetting all the doubts of the past,
she sprang forward with extended
hands, crying:
Il am so glad you have Gomez and
then. with the consciousness of the
Z emotion she had shown, came waves OF
crimson over her fair face; and step
ping back, she turned to the sobbing
T child. and sought to comfort her.
! Warren Forester had caught the
extended hand and pressed it warmly.
I His eyes eagerly sought Claire's. but
7 they had dropped and turned away.
Thus they met, after five years OF
7 doubt and bitter yearnings.
The suffering woman was soon re-
stored to consciousness. and Claire,
I having placed in the child's hand
money sufficient TO obtain every thing
needful. and promising to come and sec
/ her the next day, went out to join
Harry, whom she expected to find
waiting for her. To her great sur
prise DR. Forester, who had left the
room several minutes before. came up
To her and said:
Your cousin left you in my charge;
will You come with me, Claire?n
His voice was gentle, pleading. She
raised her eyes to find in his all the
I love Of years. Joyous tears filed her
own. rs she placed her hand in his.
and was assisted iuto his carriage.
I'm not going to take you to the
music. Claire. nor home either, just
yet. | want to have you to myself for
awhile I've so much to say. But tell
me first; that glad welcome-was it for
the physician. or me?'
Both, she answered. ingenuOusly.
BLESS YOU, my darlingi Now all
the doubt of years are cleared away.
Oh. Claire. why not have saved me all
these years Of loneliness and sorrow
Why not have answered me that
dave"
Il could not; was so surprised, 50
hurt. that YOU had doubted me, Claire
answered, in a low. trembling voice.
oh. thought | had just cause.
Julia told me William Barclay was
your acknowledged lover And his
I presence. both times | called. con-
I firmed her words. Thank Heaven for
7 this happy meeting, And Harry. bless
. his noble heart. for the words of hope
he gave me
And Warren Forester. forgetting
every thing in his great happiness,
+ had driven several miles out of town.
/ Never again had Claire cause to doubt
his love. or say he had not told her OF
it. When Claire saw the night shades
approaching. she insisted Warren
F should take her home.
Before he let her go from him again,
I he said:
Il will not give you up now. Claire,
unless you promise 10 come back I'd
/ me very soon and remain forever
/ Claire gave the promise, and ran
away into the house
Why. Claire! HeUer saw you look
80 pretty, Surely. that little bonnet is
J very becoming. agree with Harry
+ a face is prettier ia a bonnet thsA 0ut
of il, said her aunt.
s.Ahi that is magical bonnet, Claire,
I II brings YOU fifty dollars-here is the
money nOw-and it brought to you
+ something more OF worth than gold.
I Hey. little cOusinsa
rsr-s..,s-. sa.,,.-,,,,.--f .as-se Hara.r GOD