Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-08-06


BY the light of the match he had
seen only her face. But now all the
grace and charm of her delicate
frame were revealed
I've got some cold baked beans"
said Aunt Betsey, bustling. "and I'll
warm them up. and you shall have a
cup of tea"
Humphrey blushed as she spoke OF
baked beans. He could not have de-
fined his feelings, but this divinity
was worthy of-ambrosia
But as she ate the good food set
down before her, daintily but with
appetite. she seemed somehow to
glorify the act.
Humphi ey said Good night" pres
emily and went home. All along the
way that tender face appealed to him
and the trembling lips said. Il am
afraid"
The next morning he went at once
to Aunt Betsey's. The girl was
asleep.
I'm going to take tray up to her"
said Aunt Betsey. She's worn out"
Humphreys stiff lips framed ques-
ticn. What do you think of herr"
"She's a dear little thing. Her name
is Daphne. Her father was an artist
and died a year ago. Her mother died
Since the fathers death. Daphne has
been trying to work in a department
store. But the confinement brought
on an Illness, and now she has strug-
sled out toward the country to see
what the air will do for her! And she
amt fit to work." finished Aunt Bet
sey, mo morn kitten"
Cant you keep her here?" Hum
phrey asked eagerly, ito help your
Gracious don't need any help"
said Aunt Betsey Il amt as feeble
as that. But I'd like to have her make
me visit"
Humphrey felt that Aunt Betsey was
an angel. eff you will" he promised,
"I'll see that you have plenty of things
from my farm to make it up to you.
That afternoon he came again.
Daphne was on the porch. Humphrey
held her hand for long time. but her
eyes met his without self-conscious-
ness. I'm rested now she said,
and | want you to take me over to
the grape farm"
Humphrey looked at Aunt Betsey.
Aunt Betsey shook her head.
! "She wants to go to work. She
says she can't visit-she feels 1t
wouldn't be right"
you aren't strong enough to work
over there" Humphrey said; you'd
| break down"
Her lips quivered Butch, !
can't live on-charity," she sobbed
you see?" said Aunt Betsey.
Humphrey felt raging within him a
strange sense of determination.
Never in his life had he done any
thing impulsively. He had weighed
the charms of Rose and Mary for
months, yet here he was ready to
| reveal the secrets of his heart to
girl he had known less than twenty
| four hours.
| Il want you to stay" he said tense
| ly, when l saw you in the woods last
| night-it seemed as fl had been
sent-to take care of you-and you
| must let Aunt Betsey do it-for my
sake"
In her eyes dawned a wonder. You
want--to take care of me?"
II want to marry you" said Hum
phrey, bluntly; you're the only WON
1 on how oyor raoI1v xroyofod IN mar
ry. But it's too soon to tell you this
because you haven't had time to
learn to care-and maybe you couldn't,
anyhow-I'm so sort of rough-and
different. l wish you'd try. And may
be if you don't learn to care, you'll be
stronger by the dine you've found out,
and then Aunt Betsey and will get
you some work somewhere-but hope
you won't ever have to work. hope
you'll let me do It." 1t was long
speech. uttered with many breaks.
Daphne stood very still. "Oh." she
whispered, "how good you are
would 1t make you very happy-if |
should?'
To Humphrey It seemed that her
words brought a vision of new
heaven and new earth. II can't
tell you," he said, brokenly, how hap
py should be-"
She laid both of her little hands in
his. "I'1l stay" she said, simply. with
Aunt Betsey-and she must let me
kslp her-and-and do you know
/ what nv heart said to me last night
when the match first showed me your
face? 1t said. here is a man that a
woman might trust-that a woman
might trust forever"