River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-10-13


ing.
4 moment later. Janet is at her usual
post. by the tea table. and /, stealing a
glance at her. observe that she is deep
ly flushed. and that the hands with
which she moves the cups are trem-
bling visibly.
1t would seem that the arrival of his
friend had awakened a new spring of
life in my father. During the years
that have elapsed since our mothers
death, cares have sat heavily upon him.
and the bringing up of seven bairns
has been no small source of anxiety.
Now he seems to have east all troubles
to the winds for the nonce and to be
once more the genial, light-hearted
squire of former days.
You must take a shooting-box and
settle near Us. Frank" he cries, rub
bling his hands. There's Woodlands
to be had-it IS quite time your fighting
days were over"
Sir Francis smiles, but avoids direct
answer; and soon that little witch Ella
has deeoyed him to her side again, and
is carrying him off to be initiated into
the mysteries of tennis.
Our young neighbor. Edgar Holt, has
dropped in tho infrequent occurrence)
ana i am called to make mp the set. As
pass through the open window | cast
glance back at Janet, sitting alone
by her empty tea-cups- \ pang seizes
me as / notice how thin and worn
yes, there is no Disgusting it-how old
our sister looks.
The days go bS. and still Sir Francis
Ferras fingers ut Brool5field. Papa has
from the first insisted On sending for
his luggage; his future plans seem
vague. and he stays on, baSking in the
beauty of the summer days, and spend-
ing much of his time in sharing our
girlish amusements, to the no small
displeasure of Edgar Holt.
What does an old buffer like that
want with playing tennis?" he one day
grumbles. but Ella flashes round upon
him Indignantly.
''Old Sir Francis is only forty-two,
and men who have served their coun-
try have some right to show traces of
wear and tear" And Edgar subsidies,
snubbed, and Is supremely wretched
for the rest Of the day.
Meanwhile. l am growing very I'M
easy, for ! have discovered, or fancied
that have discovered, that our guest 5
presence i far from being source of
unmixed happiness to my elder sister.
She is irritable. depressed, yet nerv-
ously anxious to- make his visit pleas
ant one. Nay. strange to say. it is she
and not my father who suggests that
we should do our share in entertaining
the neighhorhood generally and exhib-
iting our lion 10 the best advantage.
At last there comes a morning, hot
ter than all its predecessors. when even
Ella has no energy TO play tennis ride
or go on The river. and she and agree
10 spend our time quietly in a ham
mock we have privately slung for our
selves on the branches Of the largest
oak tree in "a remote quarter of the
grounds.
We have been there about an hour,
when we are aroused by the sound of
voices almost Immediately below our
nest
lie who hesitates is lost. and, while
we are looking at each other in doubt
as To the means of escape, the opportu-
be unwilling eavesdroppers or to de-
scend with startling abruptness almost
on the very heads of our eldest sister
aud Sir Francis Eerras.
As Janet stands there, with the
chequered sun rays falling on her face
and casting golden light on her hair,
for the first time realize that there
may be some likeness to Ella. 1t seems
as If had never observed before how
dclicately beautiful is the outline of
Janet's face il the expression were less
harasSed and sad.
Invo'untarily | gaze at Ella. She
has raised her head and is gazing
fixedly down. As ! make some slight
movement she catches my hand I'VE
can't" she whispers. almost fiercely;
they don't see us-the yew tree is be-
tween. We must see it ont now"
Janet Sir Francis deep tones are
speaking; and | get a glimpse at his
face, and read in il strange mixture
Of tenderness and resolution: 'You
cannot think that after ten years of
patience l am to be put eff like this.
accepted your decree of Punishment
father better than me. aud perhaps you
could not. as you said. leave him and
the children 50 recently motherless.
But now all is changed. Your task is
amply. nobIy fulfilled. These very
children have grown up TO take your
place"
God help me, They have. indeed"
IL Is the sob OF a broken heart that
interrupts him, and ere he can speak
again the torrent of pent-up suffering
breaks forth.
do You take me for fool? Do You
think | am ignorant that l have grown
old and cross and haggard in these ten
long years of wear and tear? You have
kept your youth amid the stirring life
you have led. A man is often young mp
10 fifty. But at thirty-two what am
but a soured, worn-out drudge? Ask
the children. Or''-with a bitter laugh
look az Ella and me. side by side.
l was like her once-in the old days
when You We're here
Il know IT," There is a deep. tender
power in his voice. which seems at once
TO sOothe and master her. Il know il,
and il i this that has made the child's
sweet face and ways 80 attractive to
me-" Involuntarily | glance at Ella;
there are tears in her pretty eyes, but
she makes brave effort to keep them
back but for me there Is but one
woman IN the world. and that Is the
Janet Trevelyan 10 whom ten years
ago, under this very tree, my love was
plightea I am changed, too, sweet
heart; the wears have not dealt with
with me SO gently as You think-as
these gray hairs testify-but nv heart
has never wavered in its truth for You"
She has turned from him and is lean
ing her head against the rough bark Of
the tree. Prank, Frank, do not
temp, me. she cries in stihed accents:
you viii repent when it is too late"
But for sll answer he draws her to
him with his gentle. irresistible force,
and FOR an instant we catch sight of
face 80 radiant, so transformed, that
we look At each other in wonderment.
WAS il only happiness that was
wanting?" Ella murmurs, as arm in
arm, every obstacle now swept away.
the lovers pass from under our tree.