The citizen., 1911-12-29


aunt, is she?"
No but she took me when was
little, and she's kept me and raised
me, and all for nothing"
For nothing, yes, and you've work
ed like slaye for her. She couldn't
pay a hired girl to do what you've
DONE" avowed Jasper heatedly.
AS silence fell his shyness return
ed. He walked awkwardly. kicking at
the stones in his path or switching
aimIessy at the tall reedy growth by
the roadside When they reached the
picnic ground. a wide. cleared space
in the woods by a rushing stream. he
withdrew to distance and Barbara
joined a 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 dumb
worship. When twilight came and
they began to flock homeward in
chatteriug groups Of twos and threes,
Barbara had an instant's pang lest he
should fail her, but 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 aunt She
Jagged more and more slowly, til all
the happy. Iaughter-loving croYd had
left them. Jasper Jagged even one
step slower. seeming loath to bring
the silent walk to an end. Yet the
twilight, the soltariness, the very
nearness to the object of his devo'
tion bred in him a paralyzing shyness,
a very agony of self-consciousness.
Never, perhars, would he have a
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 perspra-
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 ont suddenly and grasped her
small one.
Don't you be afraid" he said
soothingly.
They came opposite the window.
Inside Aunt Herzibah sat, waiting.
Her jaws were set in a heavy, cur
poseful revenge. Barbara grasped
Jaspers arm with little half-sob
"Oh II 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 Rarbara's hand from his arm
almost roughly and took three great
strides toward the house Then he
halted, suddenly. and turned.
You come with ne" he said
s1ht Hdu W luz W hGtp hP Win
him There was no breath left for
speech Presently they turned in at
a gateway
why. it's the Minister'S" painted
Barbara.
Jasper knocked loudly at the door.
"We want to get married" an
nounced Jasper, steady fire burning
in his eyes
We'll, now. I'm sure!" exclaimed
the minister's wife bewilderedly
Why. it's little Barbara Larsen and
and Jasper, Well. well, well," She
led them into the front room and
disappeared
Mighty good thing" they heard
the minister say. THAT >hild leads a
dogs life" He strobe into the room.
We'll, well." he said kindly, so
you want TO get married. That's
right, Jasper. You're doing fine with
the farm now. A wife is Just what
you need to make the old place look
right" He stood them up before hHn.
When it was over and they were
again outside. Jasper took Barbara's
hard in his.
Come" he said.
They walked. hand in hand and
speechless, down the village street
and along the road that led to JAS
pers farm As they reached the
gateway the moon peered out from
under a cloud and flooded the or.
chard with silver light Jasper
stopped and eazed dazedly about at
the familiar scene. then down at his
wife's droorng head,
"Rarbara," he whispered unbeliey,
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 culmiuate in that
moment
why, Barbara" he cried passion
a'ely, you're mine-youre mine,