The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-12

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dinner had been laid for him only. But
Frederiks had taken care that all should
BE- quite comfortable for him, even more
90 than usual, and she was In the kitchen
alone. Morand seized her hands.
III I go 10 thAs faroff place, will you go
with mel"
wherever you Ike" said she simply.
She had hitherto been too busy to think
Of love. But when Morand took her In
his arms deep Joy took possession Of poor
Frederika.
At this moment the door opened and Sa-
lone entered. Frederika hastily drew back,
but her hands were still clasped In her
lovers, and Salome saw 1t.
"Sisterl" said Morand, with a smile.
Amusement, almost stupor, was writ
ten on the poor girls white face. All she
muttered was, docs father knowr'
"Not yet" answered Morand. II was
Just going to look for him in the forest"
When later the father came home, Fred
erika simply said to him: "Morand loves
me. He wishes me to be his wife"
"God bless you both, said Dominic,
and then he asked, "Do you stay OR gof"
The father then thought for moment
and added, Eyes, we must expect that you
will want home Of your own. That Is
right. You know pretty well what are
the duties Of forester. 1t is hard for me
to part with both Of you, but 1t is better
3d."
So Morand understood, to his great joy,
that he had won, not only his wife, but
his independence. Salome and her father
NJ tnn ,cI. tax al
ly my own," he said tenderly. "Thou
shalt replace all whom have lost"
Salome helped her sister to arrange her
wedding dress silently, but energetically.
She seemed to have quaffed in one draft
her bitter cup, to have cut off her right
hand and plucked out her right eye. Sa-
lone was bent on roofing out Of her soul o
love which, however innocent at first, was
innocent no longer. Salome watched and
prayed night and day.
Joseph was at the wedding. When he
asked for holiday, 1t was with SO dull a
face that his master inquired, laughingly,
whether he was off to a marriage or flu
neral.
Joseph's secret was tolerably well guess
ed, but the bridegroom was not jealous.
The young couple were gone. The forest
er's cottage had become silent. Once Sa-
lone used to sing at her work; now she
worked without singing. TWAS with diff
Guilty that she remembered little details Of
housekeeping, so easy to Frederika.
81 am still stout enough to take care Of
myself, and want no assistance" said
her father. ut was Morand wanted, but
the lad knew better how to shift for him
SELF"
It was the brightest day of the very dull
week when Joseph paid his usual visit
He never failed to come early and depart
late He entered, taciturn and cold, ar
ranging on his lap the flowers he had gath
cred In the forest, great handfuls Of which
he often took back to his city home. Never
once had he exchanged condolences with
Salome, yet he felt she understood him.
Whether he spoke or not, her presence was
a rest to him. She, on her side, began to
find the time long between his visits, and
each time when Joseph went away she
said to him, "You will be sure to como
again9"
The clouds were low and the sky gray
when Joseph, stick in hand, the next time
took his way to the foresters cottage.
Streams long frozen came tumbling down
the rocks or tlltering through the ground.
The murmur Of waters was heard on every
side.
Salome stood at the house door, watch
ing the sudden thaw. Her father was
away. She knew Joseph was coming and
she felt, she knew not why, glad for that.
Then she saw Joseph. She felt like scold-
ing him for having loitered SO long lie
met her and he laughed. He had been
gathering the first spring flowers, but Sd
lone did not laugh.
"You will walk with me, Salome9" he
asked ave may meet your father" And
now, chatting, the two went toward the
glen.
They reached the stream. Then Joseph
stopped, Mortified. 1t was roaring tor
rent. Dominic was not there. The water
was tearing down the mountain side.
''For the love of God," cried Snlome,
"let us hurry up Close by here there is
cottage. A poor womsn and her child live
in it. They will be swept away"
How brave and strong she is, " thought
Joseph. He was certain now that he heard
a cry of distress. Yes, there at the win
dow he saw Q woman, d child in her arms,
and the house was shaking. Itwould top
pie over in an instant, and the torrent had
to be crossed if they were to be saved. A
moment after Dominic was by Josephs
side. The forester at least was safe Then
Joseph, in u loud, clear voice, bado GlIe
woman come down. She did so and Shrek
ed when she saw the raging torrent
Salomc fell on her knees upon the bank.
III ON fnf1 ptn rbo,
vice to tho brave fellow, who was already
fighting with the torrent.
"That round stone is not flrml There
is hole in tho bed of the streaml Brave
lad! That stupid wolnunl She clings to
him! She will hinder his getting ashoreW
But Josephs feet were firm on shore
He was able TO make sign to Salomc that
he would go straight home with the wom-
an and child.
Let us hurry back and see that there is
q good fire and wine and food" cried Sa-
lone.
Meantime Joseph, carrying the child
and helping the woman had succeeded in
getting home first. He had not yet chang
ed his clothes, but he had made up the
fire, placed the woman in Father DoIai-
MICS armchair and wrapped the child in q
rug where it lay, warming its little feet
in the hearth and smiling up at its pre-
server.
Salome stood an instant to watch the
pretty sight, then took the child in her
arms. go, Joseph Get yourself dried
in fathers room. You have done enough
for one day. You will be i'll yourself. ="
"1hcn will you nurse mo?" and he took
her hand.
Anything you like If you will only go
ind change your clothes"
Some months after Joseph and Salome
were walking along the banks of the
stream. 1t was Sunday, and the little
waves seemed singing Sunday psalm.
"What a transformation, said Salome,
since the day when you saved that poor
and her child. How contented she
Is now. This stream is not more changed
than her life, poor soul, thanks to you"
"And our life, too" said Joseph tender
~,
yes" answered Salome, pressing her
husbands arm, "or storms are passed.
The stream flows peacefully on. under
stood today that one may yet be happy
II understood it little before you did.
perhaps" said Joseph, smiling,-Anthony