The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1897-03-05

1 { 14VNA 0AGNN ~ As4tAA9 AtA-AA
and then he asked: DO you stu g.
go?s
The father then thought for mo.
n,ent and added: ayes; we mnst ~
pect that you will want Q home 81 5net
own. That IS right. You know pre,tl
well what are the duties Of = foreettf
It Is hard for me 20 part with both 81
you. but II is better so"
Salome helped her sister to aFxenGe
her wedding dress. silently but eneEt
getically. She seemed TO have quanee
in one draught her bitter cup, 20 have
cut OF her right hand and pluckcd et4k
her right eye. Salome was bent en-
roofing out Of her soul a love which,
however innocent at first. was innoeeiat
no longer-S alome watched and praysA
night and day.
Joseph was at thewedding. When he
asked for holiday it was with 20 duiR
face that his master inquired laugh
ingly whether he was OF to q marEt4e
or q funeral. &
Joseph's secret wns tolerably we'll
guessed. but the bridegroom was not
jealous. sS
The young couple were gone. the toEf,
ester's cottage had become silent Once
Salome used to sing mt her works now
she worked without singing. II waS5
with difficulty that she rememberehy
little details of housekeeping, 30 easy
to Frederika.
81 am still stout enough to take cnEel
of myself. and want no assistance
said her father. 1T was Mornnd ~
wanted. but the lad knew better how t@
shift for himself"
1t was the brightest day of the very
dull week when Joseph paid his usual
visit; he never failed to come carly and
depart late,
He entered, taciturn and cold, ar
ranging on his lap the flowers he had
gathered in the forest, great handouts
lof 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 n 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 10
him: "You will be sure to come again..
The clouds were low and the sky gray
when Joseph, stick in hand, took the
next time his way to the forester's cot
ftage. Streams long frozen came tuin--.
hing down the rocks or fltering
through the ground, the murmur OF
waters was heard on every side.
Salome stood ut the house door,
watching the sudden thaw. Her father
was away. She knew Joseph was com
ing, and she felt, she knew not why
glad for that. Then she saw Joseph.
She felt like scolding him for having
loitered so long. He met her and he
laughed; he had been gathering the
first spring flowers, but Salome did not
laugh. "
"Iou will walk with me, Salomes
he asked. I'VE may meet your father,
ana now chatting, the two went toward
the glen.
They reached the stream. Then .lot
seph stopped Mortified. twas a roar
ing torrent. Dominic was not there
The water was tearing down the noun
tain side.
.For the love of Gotl!" cried Salon,e
"let us hurry up. Close by here there
a cottage; a poor woman and her child
live in it. They will be swept away"
GLOW brave and strong is she,
thought Joseph. He was certain nov
that he heard cry of distress. Yes
there at the window he saw woman
a child in her arms, and the house wa.
shaking. 1t would topple over in an in
slant, and the torrent had to be crossed
if they were to be saved. A moment
after Dominic was by Joseph's side
The forester at least was safe. Their
Joseph, in loud, clear voice, babe the
woman come down. She did so and
shrieked when she saw the raging tor
rent.
Salome fell on her knees upon the
bank. Her father stood by her, shout.
ing out advice to the brave fellow, who
was already fighting with the tor
rent.
"That round stone is not firm! There
is hole in the bed of the stream! Brave
lad! That stupid woman! She clings
to him! She will hinder his getting
ashore!"
But Joseph's feet were firm on shore.
He was able to make sign to Salome
that he would go straight home With
the woman and child.
Let us hurry back and see that there
is good fire and wine and food" cried
Salome.
Meantime Joseph, carrying the child
and helping the woman, had succeeded
in getting home first. He had notyet
changed his clothes, but he had made
up the fire, placed the woman in Father
Dominic's armchair, and wrapped the
child in rug, where it lay. warming It's
little feet in the hearth and smiling
up at its preserver.
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"
Then will you nurse me2" and he
took her hand.
Anything you like, If you will only
go and change your clothes"
Some months after Joseph and salome
were walking along the banks OF the
stream. 1t was Sunday and the little
II. clrr.