Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-28

7 n Few gay alter HrF 1tjleF return.
Marian was summoned to the hbrary
. y 7ere he fonnd her mother sitting: with
IL w0casf eye while her father with grave
face, h4lded her chair.
Marian. " SAID he, I'VE have been look
| ing forward with much pleasure to your
return, and thought could be quite con-
tent to leave your mother, as | must do,
knowing she would be cheered by your
cOmpanionship. but she told he how
| anxious you are to accept the offer made
you at Redfeld and we cannot fDd it in
our hearts to deny you that pleasure But
you mast not bind yourself Tor more than
one year and | want y0u to appreciate the
/ sacrifice your mother makes in allowing
! you to GO
Father, have come TO the conclusion
| that it is time some of the self-deniai came
upon me. so have decided to give
/ up my pet plan and spend the winter at
home. -
Have you considered the matter well 2"
! Yes, father, know what | am renounc-
! ing, but my place is here.
Thank you, my daughter; you will new
! er regret ii, am sure.
Mrs. Chester listened as if doubling that
, she heard Alright, till Marian said: at is
true mamsey, dear; you will have to
put up with me whole year, If not
longer.
With quigering lip the mother tried to
answer, but there was lump in her throat
! that would not go down, and she could
! only hold out her arms TO Marian, who
| Clasped her in warm embrace. So the
young girl settled down to q quiet home
| life, where she found many opportunities
| to be helpful. Still, she felt herself cdpa-
! bic of dong more. and sometimes longed
! for broader field. The nearest church
was ten miles away, over road impassa-
| ole except in the finest weather, and she
could not help regrettlng the hedtieId
! church, with its Sunday school, its prayer
meetings, and societies for church work,
as well as the hel pful teachings of the
pastor
While her father was at home, Marian
/ often accompanied him in his daily trips
/ to the Sawmll, a little further down the
river, Where there was Il cluster of cabins
occupied by the lumbermen and their fam
| lies. While he transacted his business,
she stroIIed along the RIVER bank and made
the acquaintance Of the children, who were
q first very shy, but soon began to look for
the coming Of the pre- ty lady" and greet
her with offerings OF wild flow ers and Der
ries.
Mr.. Chester said to her. one DAY, that
it troubled him to see them growing up
like heather in Christian land, none Of
them having ever been inside of d church
or school.
DO you think | might teacn them?'
she asked; III We had but a suitable place
| Tor schoOi-room, | could give them few
hours every day.
III you think you can manage it, there
is an empty cabin near by that | could
have fitted up tor the purpose.
''Oh, in that cosy little nook under the
cliff? That is Just the thing"
The proposal was gladly accepted by
the parents OF the children; the school
room was provided with the necessary fur
niture, and Marian entered upon her new
duties. Sometimes her courage almost
failed, for the children were not angelic
There were many rough aud turbulent
spirits among them, untamed as the deer
that rOamed the forest; but she soon found
that music mad charms, before the summer
was over she had worked an almost mirac-
uIous change IN their behavior, and had
come to be regarded b. many of them
with wOrshipful alteration, and the
parents could not say too much in her
praise. Her mothers Frightening face
from which the weary look had vanished,
also added greatly TO her happiness, and
as her father had prophesied she had no
regrets, not even when Helen poured vials
IF wrath on her head for what she called
'unpardOnable perversity.'
s. the summer sped swiftly away and
October was hInging out her colored ban
ner, when the woods began to echo with
me shouts Of party Of sportsmen who
had camped near the river. One of these
becoming separated from his companions
one sunny afternoon threw himself down
on a mosS-covered rock to rest and admire
The landscape before him. Nestled at
he foot of the cliff, he saw what he sup
posed to be lnmberman's cabin, but as
he sat there trying to fix the scene in his
memory that he might transfer it to cam
yess, there came floating up 20 him from
the cabin below strain of exquisite mel
ody.
Am | dreaming" h exclaimed, ''or is
this an enchanted fOrest?'
fastening down the rocky path, he
reached the cabin just as a crowd of bare
footed urchins came pouring FORTH. while
here and there one stopped for a good
night kiss from Marian, vino stood in the
door.
Miss Chester" he said, Advancing hat
In hand, Il hardly know whether to
credit my own senses.
You are welcome to the forest of Bel
lair, Mr., McKenna," she replied with a
blush; Il had no idea | should discover
an acquaintance among the hunters camp
ing In this neighborhood. y
And little thought that we were In
the vicinity of your home. But bow is it
that find you here, are you having va
cation?'
"A vacation!' she repeated slightly
bewildered; why did you moi expect to
find me here?"
why, Helen informed me that the
citizens of Redfeld had secured your
services. and were to be RECALLED with just
such strains as Aoated up the hill few
moments ago
Mr. Lansing did offer me the position
of organist, and | should have accepted
gladly, but when had reached home |
found my mother in failing health and
could not cOnscientiousIy leave her"
And so you renowned the 'pomps and
vanities' and secluded yourself here? But
surely it was not necessary for you to take
up this occupation also?" giancing at the
open door as he spoke.
mo, not necessary; but the poor chill
dren are growing up IN heather darkness,
and | thought | would try to do what |
could for them
Il beg your pardon. must not keep
you standing here" he said, his eyes ex-
pressing an admiration he did not speak.
will you allow NE to accompany you lit
| tie way p
with pleasure, she replied, reaching
| for her hat.