The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-01-05

don't you leave? She's not your real
aunt. is she?"
mo, but she took me when / was
little, and she's kept me and raGed
me, and all for nothing"
For nothing, yes, and you've work.
ed like slave for her. She couldn't
pay a hired Blrl 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
aimlessly at the tall reedy growth by
the roadside. When they reached the
picnic ground. a wide. cleared space
In the woods by rushing stream. he
withdrew to a 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 a dumb
worship. When twilight came and
they began to flock homeward in
chatterlng groups of twos and threes.
Barbara had an instants 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. till all
the happy. laughter-loying 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 circumstances.
Never, perhaps, 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 perspira
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 a fire |
OF indignation swept Jasper's self.
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 Hepzibah sat, waiting.
Her Jaws were set in heavy. our
'oseful revenge. Barbara grasped
Tasper's arm with a little half-sob
"Oh IL hate her!" she whispered
Jasper stood silent staring at the
and with the helpless. trem.
ling touch on his arm there surged
ip within him mighty passion He
hook Barbara's hand from his arm
lmost roughly and took three great
trides toward the house Then he
alted, suddenly, and turned
You come with me-" he said
She had to run TO keep up with
I'm. There was no breath left for
peech. Presently they turned in at
gateway.
why, it's the minister's" painted
arbara.
Jasper knocked loudly at the door
we want to get married" an
ounced Jasper a steady fire burning
! his eyes
We'll, now, I'm sure!" exclaimed
le minister's wife bewilderedly. ,
Why. it's little Barbara Larsen and I
and Jasper! Well, v ell, well!" She I
ID them into the front room and
isappeared ,
mighty good thing!" they heard I
lie minister say. THAT child leads a
og's life" He strode into the room.
Well well!" he said kindly. so
'u want to get married! That's
ght, Jasper. You're doing fine with
e farm now. A wife is Just what
III need to make the old place look
ght." He stood them up before hin.
When 1t was over and they wera
,ain outside, Jasper took Barbara's
md in his.
Come" he said. .
They walked hand in hand and >
eechless, down the village street y
ID along the road that led to Jas - -
RS farm. AS they reached the II
teway the moon peeped out from :,
der cloud and flooded the or. y
ard with silver light. Jasper y
'pped and gazed dazedly about at ~ y
e familiar scene, then down at his 70
fe's dropping head o
'Barbara!" he whispered unheliey. !"
sly.
She looked up. her eyes still dark ne h'
th wonder. si
4e took her suddenly In his arms ne
e pent-np longing Of two endless ~
lrs seemed to culminate in thai iol
ment. IN
Why, Barbara" he cried passion. cl'
ly, you're mine--youre mine! 70
d didn't know was doing til" Qu