River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-02

7 her to keep 1T until he came, as II might
be lost in returning it to him. and that
was all Other letters had passed, but
/ there had been no phrase of sentiment,
nothing but the well-tuTned sentences
of graceful writer. such As he might
have written TO the chaperoniDg aunt.
/ If Marion had colored them with the
/ hues of imagination, who then was to
blame? Not he, surely?
Little by little Mabel told her story,
and il revealed sad state az affairs
/ between herself and the man who had
married her. She had worn out his
love with her jealousy, and Iai away
from him in fit of pique to hide with
an old nurse. She was creature of
/ impulse, and he had not known how to
manage her. And he had gene away
! without a word-where, she Gid not
| X now. nor did she ask if he had made
anv provision for her. Passionate and
TeyengefuI. she declared she would die
/ T. The hospital ward, and be buried in
the potter's field, rather than ask help
of him.
Marion Law awake all the night pre-
ceding Easter Sunday trying 10 COM
/ fort her own disappointed hear, and to
evolve a plan to bring those two to-
/ gether again. In the morning she went
10 church with a distracted mind, but
as soon as the joyous and beautiful
/ Easter anthems were sung all her
doubts were gone.
Il have loved the creature instead of
the creator" she said. and gave her
whole soul TO the service.
lie is risen"
ale is risen. indeed"
/ The scent of the lilies and the grand
notes of the organ drove out All
thoughts ''Of sin or folly born" When
/ the benediction was pronounced she
was filled with sweet compassion for
all weak and suffering humanity, and
/ in that spirit she passed out and me;
/ Philip Neff face to face.
/ IL WAS we'll that she had made an
Easter Offering of herself that morning.
/ She was friendly there i as no need to
be more. She did not take llis out
stretched hand. but she said to him in
4 composed way:
/ Come to me at two o'clock, l have
an engagement for you then"
II will come" he said md there was
glad look in his eyes that caused her
/ q moments pang, il was so welcome.
He found her. TO his surprise. ready
/ to 20 out. but he cheerfuliy acluiesced
/ in her wish that he should accompany
him. even when sh, Informed him that
/ her GRAND vas TO hospital.
/ The young assistant of ST. Jude's
was there awaiting them. Some flowers
I had been brought from tie chancel to
adorn the li:tle table drawn NJ to the
side of the sick girl. She had rartaken
of the feast of Easter. and was lying
hack on her pillow when Marion led
I Philip NefT to her bedside. and waited
/ for mutual recognition.
/ But the young man seemed to feel
himself an intruder at this sacred
scene. and looked distressed. and Mattel
scarcely glanced ut him before turning
/ her head wearily away.
DO YOU know her?" asked Marion.
/ Il? No. Miss Armitage. never saw
her i'm my life before" answered. Philip
NeH. firmly, and without hesitation.
Then why does she claim this ring?"
asked Marion, stepping forward and
/ lifting the thin nd to view.
THAT is ruy ring" came the faint an
s,ver from tho sick girls lips.
who ga's 1t TO yon?" asked Marion.
"My husband, PHILIP NefT."