The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-11
wi Egz. Il VI ~ u ~ D. i III ~
In Stress Of Pity
(copyright 1917. BY Associated Literary press.)
q - Z
BY nj. C. ENGLAND


don't you leave? She's not your real
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 a slave 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
aimlessly at the tall reedy growth by
the roadside. When they reached the
! picnic ground. 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 dumb
worship When twilight came anc
they began to flock homeward in
chattering groups of twos and threes
Barbara had an instant's pa lest he
should fail her, but moment later be
fell into step at her side.
With the homeward walk came
back the crushing fear of what might
befall her as 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-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 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 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 Hepzibah sat, waiting.
Her jaws were set in heavy, rur-
| roseful revenge Barbara grasped
JSsper's arm with little half-sob
"Oh II hate herr she whispered
Jasper stood silent, staring at the
woman. and with the helpless. trem-
bling touch on his arm there surged
up Within him 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-" he said
She had to run to keep up with
him There was no breath left for
speech Presently they turned in at
gateway
why, it's the minister's painted
Barbara.
| Jasper knocked loudly at the door.
I'VE want to get married an
nounced Jasper. a steady fire burning
in his eyes
well, now, I'm sure!" exclaimed
the minister's wife bewilderedly
why, it's little Barbara Larsen and
and Jasper! Well, veil. Well" 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
well. well!' he said kindly. sc
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 min
When it was over and they were
again outside. Jasper took Barbaras
hand in his
Come" he said.
They walked, hand In hand and
speechess. down the village street
and along the road that led to Jas
per's farm AS they reached the
gateway the moon peened out from
under a 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 unbeiey.
ingly
/ She looked up. her eyes still dark
| with wonder
4 He took her suddenly in his arms
The pent-up longing of two endless
years seemed to eliminate in that
i moment
why. Barbara!" he cried passion
ately, you're mine-you're mine
And / didn't know was doing it,"