Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-10-30

"rell mo what you are thinking about,
south q hundred times. But she was
singing it tonight with STANCE, new
power. The girl leaned forward at
last and laid her friendly hand on his.
She had trick Of leaning forward like
that when talking to him that had al
ways amused Stuart.
"Tell me what you are thinking
about, Jim,' she said, smile fitting
around her tender, expressive eyes.
II was seeing vision, little pal"
he began slowly, 1.-THE vision of gala
night Of grand opera. Broadway
blazed with light, and l was fighting
my way through the throng at the en-
trance to hear great singer whose
voice had begun to thrill the world.
At last, amid hush Of intense silence.
she came before the footlights, saw
and conquered: The crowd went mad
with enthusiasm. I lifted my hat and
waved 1t on high until she saw. A
beautiful smile lighted her face. and
straight over the heads of the people
she blew me a kiss"
The tiniest frown clouded the girls
brow.
"Who was she, Jim?''
Zone who shall yet sing before kings
and princes. call her Sunshine
Her name is Harriet Woodman"
But, Jim, suppose I'm not ambi
tious? Suppose I'm just silly little
homebody, who only wishes to be
loved? How old do you think girl
must be to really and deeply and truly
love, JimT'
Stuart's brow contracted. and he took
her hand in his, stroked it tenderly and
studied the beautiful lines as they
melted from the firmly shaped wrist
into the rounded arm and gracefully
nodded body.
I'm afraid you've asked bigger
question than I can answer, DEAR" he
said, with serious accent. 1--WE been
wondering lately whether the world
hasn't lost the secret Of happy mating
and marrying. A more beautiful even
life have never seen than the one i
the home of my childhood. Yet my
mother was only fourteen and my ia
Their twenty-one when they were mar
ried. Now folks only allow themselves
to marry in cold blood. calculating with
accuracy their bank accounts. My
mother had been married six months
at your age, and yet here sit on a
pedestal and have the impudence to
talk to you as child
"But you're not impudent, JIM" she
broke in eagerly, land l understand
I'm beginning to wonder" Stuart
continued, whether nature made a
mistake when she made woman as she
h l once knew girl of fifteen to
whom l believe life was the deepes
tragedy or the highest Joy Of which he
heart will ever be capable. Else VIII,
did the blood come and go so Quickl,
in her cheeks?"
A sudden flush mantled Harriet
face, and she turned away that b.
might not see. Stuart's head bent low
and rested between his hands.
II loved such little girl once
DEAR
Harriet's face suddenly flushed witt
Joy. 1t was too wonderful to be true
but it was true! And he had chosel
this curious way to tell her. Her voic
sank to the softest whisper as she ben
closer:
And you love her still, .Jim?"
His head dropped lower as he sighed
II loved and lost her, little pal! Sh
was married two days ago. She cam
to the great city. learned its ways ant
sold herself for gold"
The color had slowly returned to tn
little freckled face with its crown o
golden hair, and the deep brown eye
overfowed with tears for just q mo
ment. She brushed them away befor
he raised his head, so that he neve
knew.
! I'm SO sorry, Jim," she said. simply
II understand now"
Its very sweet to have you shar,
this ugly secret Of my life, little pal
1t will help me-"
"And you are sorry you ever knew
her, Jim?"
y mo. I'm not sorry: I've grown t.