River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-30

saw things differently now, the old
had chung so long to a grievance had
worn themselves away ano left only re-
greet behind on that spring afternoon.
IL was too late now, she could not do
anything. she had lost all right 10 the
man whom she Lowell and who had so
long loved her. She remembered. as she
had so many times before, that when she
saw him last his coat needed mending.
and that he had grown TO look older
1nG even a little gray. She remem-
bered now the sweet, wistful look in
his eyes. and how quickly they had
clouded over when she with beating
heart had treated him SO coldly.
Sally Martin still sat by her window
in the late afternoon. She had taken
up her sewing again, but her eyes
looked as IL she had been crying. Every
few minutes she glanced down the long
road TO see Mr.. Bascom and Cynthia
when they came bach; that seemed the
only interest to which one might still
look forward. At last the wagon came
IN sight and she wondered what the
father and mother would have to tell.
10 her surprise they passed their own
lanes end and came on up the hill, driv-
ing fast. Cynthia would not take time
just now to come past the house unless
for something important-she was late
a.ready-and Sally's heart was fillei
with apprehension.
10 <~fk 4.
sitting by her window she saw Cynthia
get out of the wagon. after a word with
her father. In both faces was a look
OF sorrow and shock, and she sprang to
her feet as her friend came into the
kitchen.
ooh, Sally, Sallyi" said Cynthia,
'-Isaac got awfully hurt this after
noon. He fell from the house frame, and
the doctor can't tell yet whether there
is much chance for him. They stopped
us as we came by, and they've got him
in little shed until he can be moved
10 our house-he's got nowhere else 10
turn. He saw me, and told somebody
he had got to speak to me, and when |
got to him all he could whisper was
that / must come and tell you. and l
said / would. He didn't ask you to
come, only to let you know"
The two friends faced each other
Sally looked gray and old and stern.
but Cynthia had come to an end of her
self-control and began to cry. what
will poor mother say?" her voice
faltered. "She thinks everything of
Isaac and she'll want to get to him, and
feel as bad that she can't"
All the color rushed back to Sally's
face, and lovely self-forgetfuIness
shone in her eyes. She suddenly looked
young again and even happy. go
right home as fast as you can," she
said. I'm going to ask your father to
take me right down to Isaac's place.
Tell your mother I'll take care of him.
I'm going to Isaac now just as fast as
can"
Later still in the twilight, Sally
Martin found her way among the new
timbers of Isaac's house to the little
tool-shed where he lay. Most of the
neighbors had gone. The doctor was
still there. and he spoke cheerfully as
she came near.
mo, there are no bones broken after
all, twas only the breath knocked out
of him." said the doctor. you'll be
laid up awhile. but / believe you'll DO
well, Isaac. Now who is there to leave
him with2 must be off and it's going
to be damp spring night; he mustn't
stay here any longer. Move him care
fully"
I'm right here, DOCTOR" said old Mr..
Bascom, who loved Isaac like son.
I'll take him right home with me IL
he's ready to go. I've got the long
wagon. you know"
AS for Sally, she had gone straight
TO her lovers side-where he lay weak
and pale on the pile of coats and shiny
ings; she was kneeling by him with a
sweet and quiet face, and Isaac's hand
was fast in hers. Somehow their hap
piness seemed all the lovelier because
il had come at last in the spring.
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