The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-08-16

what CaroWOrn aspect, Was DuS1ly WeaV-
ing. Seated on a chair close to him
was girl of about fourteen, dressed in
the ordinary petticoat and short gown.
and reading aloud from book. At the
other end of the room, where there was
an open ingle and a fire, an elderly
matron was cooking.
Suddenly there was an exclamation
from the latter, who was the first to
perceive the entrance of the newcom-
ers.
'Johnnie!" she cried, holding out her
arms; and in another moment she had
folded her son in her embrace, and was
kissing him fondly.
The young girl rose, smiling, book in
hand; the man ceased his weaving, but
remained quite still in his chair.
Eyes, here | am, mother; and I've
brought company, as you see!"
''Hoo's a. wi We, Marjorie?'' cried the
matron, holding out her hand. Its a
treat to see your bonny face. Sit We
down by the fire!" y
'Is that my SOM" said the weaver,
in deep, musical voice, but without
turning his head His infirmity was
now apparent-he was stone blind.
John Sutherland walked across the
room, gave his sister passing kiss,
and placed his hand affectionately on
the old mans shoulder.
cts yourself, my lad! ken you moo.
I feel your breath about me! What
way did We no write to tell us you were
Oh the road hame?"
81 was not sure until the last mo-
ment that 1 could start so soon, but I
Jumped into the train last night, and
down I came"
who's alang wi you?" asked the
weaver, smiling. "I'll wager it's Mar
jorie Annan!"
Eyes, Mr.. Sutherland, answered
Marjorie, crossing the room and join
ing the little group. II met Johnnie in
Dumfries, and we came home together"
The weaver nodded his head gently
and the smile on his face lightened into
loving sweetness.
Stand close, side by SIDE" he said
ye." r.
"While you look at us!" echoed Mar
jorie in surprise.
cay, and what for no? Dinna think,
because my bodily cen are blind, that
Gamma see weel wi the cen O. my soul!
Ay, there you stand, lass and lad-my
boy John and Marjorie Annan bath
fair, bath wi blue cen; John prood and
glad, and Marjorie blushing by his
side; and | see what you Gamma sea
light all roond and abune We, coming
cot O. the golden gates O. Heaven!
Stand still a wee and bark! Do We hear
nothing? Ay, but I can hear! A
sound like kirk-bells ringing far ava"
AS he spoke he sat with shining face,
as if he indeed gazed on the sweet WIS.,
ion he was describing. Marjorie grew
red as fire, and cast down her eyes;
for she was only too conscious OF the
old mans meaning, and, remembering
what had taken place that day, she felt
constrained and almost annoyed. John
Sutherland shared her uneasiness, and
to divert the conversation into another
channel, he spoke to his young sister,
who stood smiling close by.
Marjorie, uneasy lest the old mans
dreamy talk should again take an aWk-
ward turn, was determined to make her
escape.
Goodbye now, Mr.. Sutherland,
she said, taking his hand in hers, i
pouct rim homo. Mr. lorraine will be
expecting me-
And before any one could say word
to detain her, she was crossing Inc
threshold of the cottage. Young Suth-
erland followed her as far as the gar
den gate.
Marjorie" he said, II hope you're
not angry?"
mo, no." she replied; "but wish
your father would not talk as II we
were counting, Johnnie. 1t makes he
feel so awkward, and you know 1t is
not true"
"Old folk will talk" said John SUN
erland, "and father only speaks out Oh
the fullness of his heart. He IS very
fond of you, Marjorie!'
81 know that, and l Of him-that Is
why it troubles me to hear him talA
like that"
There was a moments pause; theh
Sutherland sadly held out his hano.
We'll, goodbye, just now. LII 10
looking We up at the manse
"Good-bye!" she answered. come
vii