River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-09

life she had tainted.
When at last she came back to con-
sciousness, the soprano was working
over her with the kindest anxiety.
take me home" Elizabeth whis-
pered to her. .'home to Sister Hannah"
..She was a Shakeress." one of the
girls exclaimed.
The soprano looked up sharply.
"From whereof" she asked; Shaker
town."
The girl nodded.
The sopranos face was white and
tense as she gave orders and arranged
details.
II will take you home TO the viii
lage," she promised, soothingly; mot
to-night-as soon as you are able" and
with that Elizabeth had TO be salts
fled.
During the days that followed, until
she was able to travel. the soprano
cared for her protege with tender 30
licitude, and when she was far enough
recovered, went with her to her home
in the Shaker village.
The dismal afternoon was settling
evening. Sister Hannah was by the
window, peering through the gather
ing darkness at the dreary landscape.
The boisterous autumn wind had
whistled the clouds together and
was tossing them to and fro
across the heavens, dropping
dashes of sleety rain down
10 the shivering earth. a closed car
rage coming down the street seemed
only a bit of concentrated gloom. She
watched it indifferently, for there was
nothing to tell her that the little maid
was so nearly home.
Hannah stepped back 10 Hospitality
bid the travellers enter, when the door
flew open and with a rush of wind, she
found herself clssped about by the lit
tie maids arms and white, tear
stained face resting on her shoulder.
''May l come homer" Elizabeth en-
treated; "home to my dear, peaceful
yslley?"
"Yea. child, this shall always be thy
home. Thy room is alw avs waiting for
thee and our hearts welcome is always
ready. Who is thy friend, Elizabeth"
But in her anxiety to be once more
at home, Elizabeth had overestimated
her strength, and now. overcome by
fatigue and the heat of the room, she
tottered and would have fallen had not
Hannah's strong arm been about her.
Don't you know me?" asked the So
prano, as they together worked over
the girl.
Hannah searched the face for some
familiar feature. The soprano re-
moved her hat and wrap.
Are you her mother?" Hannah
asked, slowly, still searching the face.
lis she my daughter? They told me
my daughter died in childhood. 7
thought it was true until saw her"
Thou wouldst not take her away
again?" Hannah asked, tacitly ac-
knowledging the relationship.
docs she know of me?" asked the
soprano.
"OnIy as n sweet memory"
'Then let her think me only friend.
would not, even for the joy of having
her with me, have her exposed to the
temptations of the world if she can be
happy here
Elizabeth stirred uneasily, opened
her eyes and. reaching out, took Han
nah's hand with loving confidence.
"May tell thee ALP"
"In the morning."
"No, no, | could not sleep unless I
had confessed to thee and knew that
thou still loved me and forgave me-"
Hannah smiled at the familiar inn
petuosity, but gave her consent.
With her eyes fixed on Hannah's to
watch lest there should any shadow fall
between them, she commenced her pitt
fully common story.
There is, in the home where you
placed me, a wee babe whose tiny
hands drew aside the curtains that
heretofore concealed from me the
knowledge of such joys. when the
mother placed il in my arms, and it
nestled it's little head in my neck,
when its warm, sweet breath kissed my
cheek and the elinging fingers fastened
around my own, my heart ached with
the fulness of its JOY.
when one came, who seemed the
noblest of his kind. and with sweet
words of music such as / never
dreamed of, told me his love and asked
me to be his wife, thought that some
Gay we might have home as happy as
/ the one in which l was living, and
/ gave him my promise.
Then" she hesitated, and in a few
words the soprano finished her story
/ for her.
Forgive thee. child? There is Moth
| ing to forgive; and if there were thou
shouldst have our forgiveness before
thy penitent heart could give the wish
to thy lips for wording"
Then they two, her mother and her
guardian, the old-time friends, helped
her to her room and watched beside
her until she fell asleep.
When she wakened, she entered
again into the sweet, calm life of the
Shaker village whose placid stream is
rippled only by the pebbles dropped
from the crags of memory.-Peterson's
/ Magazine.