Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-09

claim her care. She felt that she must not
make herself i'll with weeping. All her
strength would be needed soon.
1t was when tie twilight began to fall.
and she fell to thinking how soon she must
part with the first Of her household gods,
that her courage gave way. She sat herself
down before the cid piano and bowed her
head upon its Polished boards. The sense
Of loneliness would be put away no longer
the bitter grief of parting would find relief
in tears.
1t was quite dark in the little kitchen.
save for a few g,owing embers on the hearth
when she rose at last. stiff and cramped.
wearied out With grief She lit the Iamp.
and he'd just drawn the curtains, when she
was startled by a knocking at her door.
They've come-theyve come-for the
piano" she gasped aloud. "Ah, no, no. no,
| cannot let you go!'
She spread her hands upon the top Of
the old instrument. staring wildly at the
door. In her nervous state. the sudden
sound had startled her out of her usual
quiet of manner, and her knees were trem-
bling violently. For a moment she stood
thus, unable to move. Then, when the
knock was repeated, she turned slowly to
the door. and opened 1t.
May | speak with you, Miss Herring?"
Jane did not answer. She stood quite
STILL and her swollen, tear-stained face
grew deadly white. She tried to speak but
she could not, and then in her confusion
and amazement, she covered her face with
her hands and sobbed aloud.
Phineas Balm-it was he who had knock
ed-came into the kitchen, and shut the
door after him.
Tim afraid I startled you" he said.
somewhat aWkwardly. And comm. as |
do, in the midst of your grief but I wanted
to be the first to bid, if you don't object
Jane Herring struggled afresh to fnl
words
"I-I-I-oh, dear-I-"
There, there-you re upset, and no Won
der Sit you down, Miss Herring.
Phineas laid mis- rough hand gently upon
her arm, and led her to a chair. Then he
stood beside her in silence.
you must forgive me-" she said at last,
when her sobbing had grown quieter; q
am in terrible trouble
Il know it. Mr.. Meade has just told me
about-about the pianer. I'd like to give
you a good price for it, if 1 may
Jane Herring looked at him for the first
time
"You?" she cried.
Yes me-"
There was a look of tenderest compassion
in his eyes, a look which made her start
and tremble
''You-you are very good" she said,
rising hastily and moving to where the
instrument stood. It's but a poor old
thing, after all. Look at it..
He came and stood beside her as she dis
played the keyboard, but he was not look
ing at 1t. He was looking at the woman
of his early choice; he was noting how
time had altered her, how sorrow had
marked the face he had loved so well.
AS he did no. answer she looked up
1T has grown shabbier since you saw
it last" she said. at is not worth much,
l fear"
1T is worth a great deal to me-"
He spoke very quietly, and his grave
eyes met hers with look which recalled
the past more wildly than ever. 1t made
Jane feel young again and she smiled.
Thank you, Phineas,' she said
He started as she spoke his name.
''Ycu cell me that?" he cried eagerly,
, bending toward her, and putting his hand
over hers as it lay on the piano You call
me by ny name Jane?'"
He felt her hand tremble beneath his.
he saw her eyes fill with tears.
"Jane, Jane, I wish 1 knew how to tell
you'll wish you could guess a little how
I have loved you all these years. Forgive
me, girl forgive me. but l must tell you it
love but you in this world"
He paused.
You are not angry, are you? I knew
you were tco good for me-you are too
good now-far, far away above me. But
I love you still. l long for you, Jane"
She looked up at him, and in her eyes
he read the love Of twenty years-House-
hold Words