River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-07-06
AN OLD GAME
By i. M'ROSS
(Copyright, 1903, BY ". G. Chapman.l

ID OBERT STIRLING had stretched
himself upon the sand at the feet
of Helen Hanson, who sat staring at
the white sails lowering over the bay.
Silence had fallen upon them-a ST
lence that was a little embarrassing
to Helen, who felt aggrieved that Rob-
ert had taken her refusal SO calmly
IF only he had pleaded his cause
better perhaps | might" Helen S
thought merged into another: But
that was the way he acted when he
failed in his college examinations
just packed his things and went off
out west without"
do you remember how we used to
make believe when we were chill
dren?" Helen felt thankful that Rob
ert had at last broken the painful
silence. ''You were always a queen,
princess or fairy, while | was king or
slave, knight or knave, elf or ogre,
whatever you wished"
What good times we used to have!
You were very obedient then. l won
der if you would be as docile now"
Helen glanced sidewise at Robert, who
Immediately sat up and looked eagerly
at her.
''Try mel"
20, 1 didn't mean-we're grown up
now" she demurred
"Just for this one day." he pleaded.
"You know this is my last day here
and l may never see you again.
WELL" irresolutely, what shall the
game be? You choose this time,
B-Bob."
He laughed at her hesitation.
bob, of course. The play? Let's
make believe that the dream of my
whole life is coming to pass, that you
are going back with meas nv wife
to that dreary mining town"
Her face was turned from him, but
her ear and fair, round neck was pink
with bushes.
Surely you will do this for your old
playmate" he insisted
How shall we -begin-such a
game as that?" she stammered. 81
never played it, you know"
"You might begin by turning so that
I can look into your face. And-well,
l can at least hold your hand; you
know | used to- There, that's better "
He looked thoughtfully at the slim,
white hand that lay in his own strong.
brown one. Then, so tenderly that
her heart bounded:
II am going to tell you, dear, about
the cottage l built for you," he began.
1T is a mean little town that must be
our home for a while, just one street
bordered by shanties, mostly saloons.
Our cottage is little way from the
street II has only four rooms, bare
and ugly now, but when you are in
them-ah-h!
He drew his breath sharply and
looked out upon the bay, while her
eyes wandered up the beach where the
rest of the party were making drift
wood ire.
THE large living-room has four win
dows; they were my one extravaganza
for remembered how fond you are of
sunlight, SO the room gets the sun all
day long"
"I'll make white muslin curtains. -
Helen cried, entering into the spirit
of the game. And We'll have shelves
in one corner for our books-or shall
we have a coy corner with lots of
cushions?"
There's another corner to make
cosy, but I'll have to make the frame
work out of packing boxes. You know
it costs a great deal to get furniture
up into the mountains"
Packing boxes make lovely furni-
ture. I'll take one trunk full of odds
and ends for draperies. l suppose |
can take two trunks?"
-Four, if you like
I'm glad 1 have taken lessons in
cooking. can truly cook the most
toothsome dishes you ever ate
MY mouth waters now. can smell
the hot dinner even at this distance"
Its the clam chowder they are MAX
Ing up the beach that you smell. .
Helen jumped gayly to her feet. Come.
let's run or they will eat all of it
before we get there"
Hand in hand they ran up the beach.
laughing like children. and joined the
rest of the party. After they had eaten
Robert whispered to her:
There's boat in the cove; come
and have row on the bay
''Take a good look at the ocean,
Nell, DEAR" Robert said after he had
rowed out upon the bay, you may not
see it again for d long time. When
you are out in the mountains without
a sign of water except a little noun
tain stream you win often think how
the ocean looks to-day"
Are not the mountains beautiful
Helen asked quickly.
Eyes" slowly; at distance the dit