The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-06-23

door was closed behind him; then she
plunged into the laurel and sped along
the trail toward home
Sunday she went number of times
to the bowder. whence she could see
Toms cabin, but not once was the
door opened during the day. Monday
the drag saw stood idle where the
single blocker had left it. And now
a new source of uneasiness came to
Tilly. The silent, deserted look of
Toms cabin filled her with fear. 1t
was not that she feared Tom had gone
away. The unfinished work, the half
cut single block and the disorder Of
things told her that he had not gone
Tom was ill-or-Tilly clutched at her
temples to stay the throbbing. :
Tom could not be dead
Tuesday Tilly crept through the lau-
rel, passed the base of the bowlder
and went on slowly, but unhesitating-
", up the side Of the mountain toward
the cabin where Tom lived alone.
AS she neared the cabin she quick
ened her step. Had she waited too
long? Oh, if Tom would only speak
to her when she raped at the door!
She stood full minute with her small
knuckles poised to strike the rough
boards. Her heart beat unanimously
and her knees grew weak as she
thought Of what might have happened
in that cabin.
At last the knuckles fell upon the
board, and faint, hollow tattoo echoed
from the interior But no other sound
came in answer A terrible sense Of
horror fell upon Tilly, and a quick
fever parched her lips and tongue
Then suddenly her knuckles beat
long nervous rattle upon the door, and,
bowling her head against the board,
she moaned:
ooh, Tomw
A moment elapsed, then
'Tilly, Tillyv' came family from un-
der the door.
With an eXuberant joy lilly reached
for the latchstring, and the door swung
inward. On the floor, with his head
near the doorway, lay Tom. His face
was sunken and sallow, and his eyes
seemed far back in his head. lilly
clasped her hands and stood looking
down upon him, that sickness of soul
which had characterized her feelings
for the last week again coming upon
her
tom, we've been lynn here since
Saturday, amt YEP"
Tilly dropped by his side and took
one of his hands in hers
can it's all my fault, Tom. | heard
yer saw goin' day an night an never
stoppin', an I was feared 1t was COM
in to this
mo, Ttlly; it was all my fault IL
didn't think it would scare We so. An
arter what I'd done an We would not
forgive me an told me never to speak
to We again l had to work hard to
keep from thinkin' about it all. Doye
forgive me now, Tilly?
lilly raised Toms head on her arm
and laid her cool fingers upon his
brow.
Il forgive We afore got home, Tom,
but l didn't want to go back an tell
We. An'-an', Tom, If We knowed how
been feelin' about it ever since 1
reckon ye'd forgive me-"
Forgive We, Tilly? It's like-like
takin' peep into paradise to have We
back again. An now when | get a
leetle stronger We'll have that new
cabin"
"Never mind the new cabin. Tom.
The old one is good enough for the
likes O. me. An now I'm goin' to
help We to bed an get We somethin' to
eat"
I'm a lot better now, lilly. l Jest
had dizziness somehow. But I'm sot
on havin' the new cabin
swell, then, We'll have it, an III
bless every log We touch.''
lilly kissed him. And just then the
sun, coming from behind a cloud, threw
its warm glow through the doorway
and across the cabin floor.