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


Humphrey Dodd was a plain man.
He had been the eldest son and had
assumed heavy responsibilities when
his father died. Now that the young
er children were wage earners, and
his mother had married again. Hum
phrey was free for the first time IN
his life.
He intended to get married! His
choice lay between two village beau
ties. AS yet he had not paid marked
attention to either of them, but as
he rammed his hat down on his head
one gusty September night and start
ed for walk, he knew that he must
make his decision.
He did not ask himself whether he
loved Rose or Mary. They were good
girls, and would make good wives. His
mother had married his father in her
young years of romance, and the mar
rage had turned out badly. She had
impressed it on Humphrey that love
was an unstable thing, and that ne
would be happier without it.
Yet something stirred in Humphrey
as ne left the village street and came
out upon long stretch of road, which
showed white for little way and
was then hidden by the blackness OF
the grove beyond. Overhead the moon
raced through the ragged clouds.
Humphrey brought his mind bach
sternly to the subject in hand Which
should it be, Rose or Mary? The fall
one or the dark. the short one or the
tall?
The wind blew strongly, and as
Humphrey entered the shadows of the
wood thousand voices seemed to
mock him, but above all the tumul'
came human note. a little cry, "Oh
please-help!"
Humphrey stopped. Who is it?'
he asked sharply.
A white shape seemed to detach
itself from the sable background. 81
Il have-lost my way" quivered 9
woman's voice. "and-and an
afraid"
Humphrey struck a match. face
appeared within the circle of light
child's face, except for the maturity
of the troubled brow.
Humphrey struck another match
''You are wet" he said, abruptly
Were you in the storm this after
noon?"
Yes" The match had gone out
and they were again in darkness
YES" / walked from the car. ] an
from the city. / heard they needed
girls up here to pick grapes and So
came"
He could read extreme fatigue ii
the dragging voice.
Come" he said, suddenly. ''you
must go to the village. You need
something to eat-a hot drink"
II can't walk another step" She
was crying softly. I've hurt my
foot"
Are you afraid to stay here?'
Humphrey asked. "Ill go back and
get my horse"
II hate to hear the owls" she
sobbed. when they hoot-and the
frogs"
In the darkness Humphrey smiled
What child she was-with a won
ans eyes. They can't hurt you," he
said, good naturedly. 'T'n be bach
in a minute"
When he returned to the girl he
found her curled ur against a fsller
log I've brought a robe" he said
Wrap yourself in it."
When she was safe in the seat he
began to think where he should take
her. There was no hotel and the
squalid boarding house where the
grape-hands boarded was no Place fol
this little slender thing. Els owr
home was presided over by his mar
ried sister. a grim young woman who
would look askauce at the city stray
AS they reached the crossroads. he
turned his horses head away from
his own house Il am going to take
you" he said, ito my great aunt's
She's seventy and she lives by her
self, and she's as good-as gold"
But can't / go on to the farm
where they want help?" she cues
toned.
You can rest at my aunts TO
night" he said, evasively.
When a few minutes later he hat
made his explanations to Aunt Bet
%ey. and had ushered his little stray
into her presence, ne was silent for {
moment before the revelation of the
girls beauty.