River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-07-11

Kathy leaned over the garden gate
and watched the sun sink gradually
behind the tree tops
Presently Lewis Hamlin sauntered
down the walk from the house next
door. Every evening for month he
had happened to stroll unconcernedly
out of his stately home and across the
weIl-kept lawn to the gate of the
wild rose cottage.
.Tm 50 lonely" he said pathet-
ically; but his dark eyes were smil-
ing.
Kathy returned from the clouds and
nodded. Il suppose it's because you
have nothing to keep you busy, she
said.
Il plead guilty, but you"
II have to work in order to eat,
she remarked, frankly. But when
night comes | live
rs that riddle for me to guessY
She smiled. The twilight and his
eyes invited confidence. AT night
/ have time for my writing" she ex-
planned. 1T is then that | am re-
paid for living.
you write"
"Stories."
His eyes frightened. What period
icals do they appear in? Why didn't
you tell me before? Think OF the
hours Of loneliness you could have
spared me had | known this!
Her sensitive face flushed, but the
eyes were llplifted bravely.
you'll not find the name of Kath-
ryn Mays in any magazine she an
swered steadily.
He looked down in surprise. Then
why"
ooh, III tell you" she flung out pas
sionately. you won't find them
there because Tve-failed!"
But why" he began again.
why do / continue writing? Be-
cause / can't help it. lit is all |
have-all there is in mel"
Il don't understand" he said hope
lessly.
"Of course you DON'T" she cried dis
painfully. One who has never writ
ten, never felt the soul on fire, can
never know its heaven and its hell!
/ could talk to you until doomsday, and
you'd never understand! And if that
fire, that unquenchable fire is in one,
it spoils him for anything else. One
will starve and toll, but will always
have to write, write, write"
He gazed down compassionately at
the white-gowned figure, noticing the
quivering Of the sweet lips, the lines
on the delicate face, the silver threads
in the smooth brown hair and the
gray fire of the eyes.
I'm an old woman now" she said
desolately I'm 30. For IL years
I've struggled, toiled and wrote out my
hearts blood, and failed" She paused
and looked at him with a sweet smile.
'If | had been sensible | would have
been q nurse, or gone into some BUSH
ness-but | wasn't sensible, you see.
was poor simple foolish woman
who wanted-oh, so longed to do some
thing great" Her smile was Wistful
IL the quick of the soul was touched,
yet made brave show of courage.
He listened reverently as to a
saint, feeling ashamed and unworthy
before the opened portals of that holy
of holes. Wealth had come to him
unearned. Life had always held out
roses. Yet in that moment he real
lied his loss; the joy of effort, the
blessing of labor, the crown of
achievement.
My Cod" he cried, Wonderingly.
Twelve years! | feel as if | could
fall at your feet and worship you"
She looked up half frightened
But he had caught her hand and
held it tightly; his eyes worshiping.
Dearest, will you love me? Can
you love me? Will you take my
heart and share my home? If you
will, I'll serve you faithfully all the
days of my life-and forever!"
For a moment she was silent. Then
she raised her head and gazed at
him. But no never faltered under the
searching firs of her eyes.
Presently she shook her head Il
cant be your wife" she replied
gently. Il may not even love you'll
dare not! II would not know how
to be wife now; l should forget and
spoil your lffe 1t is too late. /
should only be your yoke and your
curse. You must leave me and go
your happy way"
And ! tell you | won't go. You
have got to marry me- know what's
best for you. You need love and com
fort. If | wats Is years, Kathy, you'll
have to marry me. And I can wait.
dear"
Good night she said softly, hold
ing out slim hand. and good-by.'
Until tomorrow night" he an
swere6.
Then the night closed down. For
the first time IN his life the some
thing he desired was denied him.
Two years had PASSED. Again Kathy