Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1911-12-29

"a eAS WINS Wy a iuSAti6 sttCdtu, Nc
withdrew to distance and Barbara
Joined q group OF chattering girls by
one of the swings.
He kept shyly apart from her dur
ing the afternoon. though his eyes
followed her everywhere with a dumb
worship. When twilight came ana
they began to flock homeward in
chattering groups of twos and threes.
Barbara had an instant's pang lest he
should fail her, but a moment later he
fell into step at her side
With the homeward walk came
back the crushing fear of what might
befall her as a result of her disobe-
dience. She knew only too well the
harsh ill.temper OF her aunS She
Jagged more and more slowly. III all
the happy, laugh:er-loving crowd had
left them. Jasper Jagged even one
step slower. seeming loath to bring
the silent walk to an end Yet the
twilight. the solitariness, the very
nearness to the object of his devo-
ton bred in him a paralyzing shyness,
very agony OF self-consciousness.
Never. perhaps, would he have
chance like this again. yet the very
thought of speaking, of even reaching
out and touching the little hand that
swung near him. brought the perspfra-
ton In great beads to his brow.
Barbara. with the growing intuition
of awakened womanhood, vaguely
realized all this
As they came in sight of the house
her heart began TO beat painfully.
She moved closer TO Jasper.
I'm frightened" she whispered.
For the second time that day fire
of indignation swept Jasper's self
| consciousness from him His hand
went out suddenly and grasped her
small one.
Don't you be afraid" he said
soothingly.
They came opposite the window
Inside Aunt Hepzihah sat, waiting.
Her jaws were set In heavy. pur-
posefu revenge Barbara grasped
Jaspers arm with a little half-sob
''0h FL hate her." she whispered
Jasper stood silent, staring at the
woman and with the helpless. trem-
bling touch on his arm there surged
up within him a mighty passion. He
shook Barbara's hand from his arm
almost roughly and took three great
strides toward the house. : Then he
halted, suddenly. and turned
You come with me-" be said.
She had to run to keep up with
4 ~ Iof -.
speech. Presently they turned in at
gateway.
why, it's the minister's" painted
Barbara,
Jasper knocked loudly at the door.
we want to get married." am
nounced Jasper, steady fire burning
IN bis eyes.
Well, now, I'm snrel" exclaimed
the minister's wife bewllderedly
why, it's little Barbara Larsen and
land Iasperi Well, well, Welt" she
led them into the front room and
disappeared
Mighty good thing!" they heard
the minister. say THAT child leads a
dogs life" He strobe into the room.
NSlls well. ne Sdlu hlHutY. SO
/ you want to get married. That's
right, Jasper. You're doing fine with
the farm now vile is just what
you need to make the old place look
right" He stood them up before him.
When It was over and they were
again outside. Jasper took Barbara's
hand in his.
Come" he said
They walked hand In hand and
speeches., down the village street
and along the road that led to Jas
per's farm AS they reached the
gateway the moon peeped out from
under cloud and flooded the or
chard with silver light. Jasper
stopped and gazed dazedly about at
the familiar scene, then down at his
wife's dropping head.
Barbara" he whispered unbeliev.
ingly.
She looked up her eyes still DARK
with wonder.
He took her suddenly In his arms.
| The pent.up longing of two endless
years seemed to eliminate in that
moment
Why, Barbara" he cried passion
ately. you're mine-you're minel
And didn't know / was doing IT."
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