Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-11-09
Raw Material
By JOANNA SINGLE
1910. BY Associated Literary Press3

Shawl"
Didn't know you liked Rose well
enough to do her a good turn" said
the man, dapper young stone-mason.
Name shrugged her shoulders, in
wardly calling herself fool. At the
end Of the waltz she saw the two slip
out of the pavilion into the moonlit
paths of the park
Wouldn't that-beat your" she re-
marked to Sadie Dickson. Rose
Shaw came here and sat against the
nothing-and walks off with John
Clifford. bet she's a sly mink, for all
she acts SO mouse-like at work! Watch
me take it out of her tomorrow"
Meantime Rose lost in a dream of
shy wonderment, was walking with
John Clifford the mile to her bare tene-
ment home
The next day Name and Sadie in
deed took it out" of her; they made
life unbearable to the girl, but she
paid no attention to them outWardly
But at night, in her own room, she
sobbed herself to sleep. She knew
that never again could she be uncon-
scious with John Gifford-these girls
with their rough tongues had spoiled
everything.
A few evenings later when she was
walking home and he, waiting pur-
posely, waylaid and went home with
her, she hardly spoke to him. How
could she. accused as she was of an
Cling for him?
That night the young man lay
awake some hours deciIing whether
the girl was simply shy or whether
he had offended her The next even
ing he walked straight to her house,
asked her father at the door for her
and was sent to the kitchen.
In her blue calico dress, she was
clearing away the supper things and
advising CHS on her arithmetic lesson.
Here, in her own castle, she was more
approachable. She talked a little, and
he made friends with 12-year-old jim
my, laid upon the lounge with cut
foot. Then the father came in with
MS pipe and chatted, finally going up
to bed at an hour unbeIievably early.
Clifford rose to go, but as he took his
hat he said to the girl:
Il came out to ask if l have offend
ed you in any way. Have l? You
hardly spoke to me last night, and il
have done anything I'm sorry.
To his surprise the girl lost her
serenity and blushed crimson. fidget-
h 4aH fOY
an answer.
mo, of course you haven't she
said, "only-I wish you wouldn't
talk to me or walk home with me-
when the mill girls are about. / can't
stand--their talk, l." She paused,
frightened that she had spoken so
plainly.
Surprise, desire to laugh, then a
sort of reverence came into the mans
mind. He was vain enough to know
that most girls he knew were only
too willing to be seen with him. This
was something new and sweet and
genuine. He would have liked to kiss
her as she stood looking slyly at him,
but he said goodnight and went home.
BY morning he had discovered that
he loved her. He laughed, remember
ing Names calling her raw mate
rial" Well, it was fine material, it
was modesty and reserve, home-love.
loyalty-qualities that man could
mold into wifehood--and motherhood.
He set himself deliberately to win her,
1t was several months later that he
really dared tell her all his heart, and
it came very simply. 1t was on
Sunday morning. The children were
not yet up. and the old man, her faith
Ell, was smoking in the back yard. The
lover had wakened early, and came
walking into her kitchen as she was
preparing breakfast She started and
blushed as he entered, coming straight
to her and taking her hands.
Girl" he said, I'll never have an
other minute of peace in my life, day
or night, If you can't tell me you
care! Oh, Rosie, of course you know
| love you--but could You love me
back? Do your
1t was quite like her not to preyari-
cate, not to put him off, to meet the
issue with deep, sweet, serious eyes
lifted to his searching gaze. She was
sc honest!
"Yes," she said, "of course, l.
care! How could help it, even if /
wanted tor" Then he fairly lifted her
from her feet into his arms. And
after little the old man came in and
stared.
John explained: She's mine" he
said rather lamely, we're engaged"
"Umph!' That's what it looked
like to mel" grunted the old man.
well. CHS is fifteen an can keep
no Use pretty we'll" He walked back
into the yard again. and no one missed
him.