The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-10-04

see if he has waukened.'
She stole from the room.
In a few moments she returned to
the door and beckoned Chok-
ing down her emotion Marjorie fol-
lowed her without word. They
crossed the lobby and entered the
rudely furnished bedroom where Mr..
Lorraine had slept so many years, and
there, in the very bed where the little
founding had been placed that wintry
night long ago, lay the minister-hag-
gard, worn and CHASTITY, with all the
look of man who was sinking fast.
His white hair was strewn upon the
pillow, his cheeks were sunken and
ashen pale, and his dim blue eyes
looked at vacancy, while his thin hand
fingered at the counterpane
Marjorie crept closer, with bursting
heart, and looked upon him. AS she
did so she became conscious of a move
ment at the foot OF the bed There,
kneeling in silence, was old Solomon
He looked up with a face almost as
gray and stony as that of his mas
ter but gave no other sign of recogni-
ton.
The minister rocked his head from
side to side and continued to pick the
coverlet, numbering to himself.
Marjorie, Marjorie, my doc! Ay, put
the BARN in my arms-she has your
own eyes. Marjorie, your own eyes O.
heavens blue Solomon, my surpiice.
To-day's the christening. Well call
her Marjorie, after her mother. A bon
ny name! A bonny BARN! Bring the
light, Solomony She's wet and weary.
Well lay her down in the bed!'
At the mention of his name Solomon
rose like a gaunt specter, and stood
gazing desolately at his master. His
eyes were wild and fearless, and he
shook like a reed.
Suddenly there was low cry from
Solomon.
Marjorie started up, and at the same
moment Mr.. Lorraine half raised him
self on his elbow and looked wildly
around him.
Who's there?" he moaned-"M Mario
rie!"
And for the first time his eyes,
seemed fixed on hers in actual recog~
nition
Eyes, Mr.. Lorraine Oh, speak to
me!''
He did not answer, but still gazed
upon her with a beautiful smile. His
hand was still in hers. and she felt it
futtering like a leaf Suddenly the
smile faded into look of startled won
der and divine awe. He looked at Mar
jorie, but through her, as it were, at
something beyond.
"Marjorie!' he moaned, I'm com
ing"
Alas! it was to another Marjorie,
some shining presence unbeheld of
other eyes, that he addressed that last
joyful cry. Scarcely had it left his lips
than his jaws dropped convulsively and
he fell back upon his pillow, dead.
Let me draw veil over the sorrow of
that night, which was spent by poor
Marjorie in uncomfortable grief. Suth-
erland, returning a little while after
the minister's breath had gone.
tried in vain to comfort her, but re-
NAMED in or about the house to the
break of day.
Early next morning Miss Hethering-
ton driving up to the manse door in her
faded carriage, heard the sad news. She
entered in, looking grim and worn be-
yond measure, and looked at the dead
man. Then she asked for Marjorie, and
learned that she had retired to her
room. AS the lady returned to her
carriage she saw young Sutherland
standing at the gate.
Its all over at last, them she said,
land Marjorie Amman has lost her best
friend. Try to comfort her, Johnnie, if
We can
'I'll do that. Miss Hetherington,"
cried Sutherland, eagerly.
"The old gang and the young come"
muttered the lady. "She's alone now
in the world, but I'm her friend still.
When the funerals DER she must come
to stay awhile wi me. Will We tell her
that?''
Eyes, If you wish it"
cay, I wish it. Poor bairn It's her
first puff O. the i'll wind O. sorrow, but
when she's as old as me she'll ken there
are things in this world far waur than
DEATH"
The few days which followed imme-
diately upon the clergyman's funeral
were the most wretched Marjorie had
ever spent Habited in her plain black