Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-04

nlent and added: YES; we must ex.
pect that you will want a 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 So"
Salome helped her sister to arrange
her wedding dress, silently but ener.
getically. She seemed to have quaffed
in one draught her bitter cup, to have
cut off her right hand and plucked out
her right eye. Salome was bent on
roofing out of her soul 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 it was with so dull
a face that his master inquired laugh
ingly whether he was off to a marriage
or Il funeral.
Joseph's secret was tolerably well
guessed, but the bridegroom was not
jealous.
The young couple were gone, the for
ester's cottage had become silent. Once
Salome used to sing at her work, now
she worked without singing. 1t was
with difficulty that she remembered
little details of housekeeping, so easy
TO Frederika.
~ am still stout enough to take care
OF myself, and want no assistance"
snid her father. ut was Morand |
wanted, but the lad knew better how to
shift for himself"
1t 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, tacturn and cold, ar
ranging on his lap the flowers he had
gathered 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 rest to him.
She, on her side, began to find the tire
long between his visits, and each time
when Joseph went away she said to
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
tage. Streams long frozen came tum-
bling down the rocks or filtering
through the ground, the murmur OF
waters was heard on every side.
Salome stood at the house door.
watching the sudden thaw. Her father
was AWAY. She knew Joseph was COM
ing, and she felt, she knew not why,
clad for that. Then she saw Joseph.
She felt like scolding him for having
oitered so long, lie met her and he
laughed; he had been gathering the
first spring flowers, but Salome did not
hugh.
"You will walk with me, Salome"
he asked. I'VE may meet your father
ana now chatting, the two went toward
the glen.
They reached the stream. Then Jo-
seph stopped Mortified. 1t was roar.
ing torrent. Dominic was not there.
The water was tearing down the noun
tain side.
For the love Of God!" cried Salome,
"let us hurry up. Close by here there Is
cottage; a poor woman and her child
live in it. They will be swept away"
slow brave and strong Is She
thought Joseph. lie was certain now
that he heard cry of distress. Yes,
there at the window he saw n woman,
a child in her arms, and the house was
shaking. II would topple over in an in.
slant, and the torrent had to be crossed |
II they were to be saved. A moment
after Dominic was by Joseph's side,
The forester at least was safe. Then
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 cllngs
to him! She will hinder his getting
lshore!"
But Joseph's feet were firm on shore.
lie was able to make sign to Salome
hat he would go straight home with
The woman and child.
LET us hurry back and see that there
ID good fire and wine and food!" cried
5alome.
Meantime Joseph, carrying the child
md helping the woman, had succeeded
n getting home first. He had not yet
changed his clothes, but he had made
Up the fire, placed the woman in Father
)ominic's armchair, and wrapped the
hild in rug, where 1t lay, warming Its /
title feet in the hearth and smiling
Up at It's Preserver. Il
Salome stood an instant to watch the
'retty sight, then took the child in her
rms. go, Joseph; get yourself dried
n fathers room. You have done
nough for one day. You will be i'll
oursef."
"Then will you nurse me?" and he
ook her hand.
uA..,tl.,, ,.u Tho 10 ,,o,, mill nplv