Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-01-05
SO eM1Na R1aO aN1s
In Stress of Pity
(cOpyriaht. Drl. b Asoooiaasd Llsrary PrssAl

By N. c. ENGLAND

Literary PEssAl
in the woods by q rushing stream. be
withdrew to q distance and Barbara
Joined q group Of chattsring girls by
q Of the swings.
He kept shyly apart from her dur
ing the afternoon. though his eyes
followed her everywhere with q dumb
worship. When twilight came and
they began to flock homeward in
chattering groups Of twos and threes.
Barbara had an ~instant's pang lest he
should fail her. but a moment later he
fell into step at her side.
With the homeward walk came
back the crushing fear of what might
befall her al q 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. laughterloving 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,
a 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 ear him. brought the p.rspira-
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
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 a heavy, pur-
poseful revenge. Barbara grasped
Jasper's arm with a little half-sob.
"Oh II hate her!" she whispered.
Jasper stood silent. staring at the
woman, and with the helpless, trem-
bling touch on his arm there surged
up within him a 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 u to keep up with
him. There was no breath left for
speech, Presently they turned in at
a 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, we'll, 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.
We'll, well!" he said kindly, so
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 HIM.
When It was over and they were
again outside. Jasper took Barbara's
hand in his.
Come" he said.
They walked, hand in hand and
speechless, down the village street
and along the road that led to Jas
per's farm. AS they reached the
gateway the noon peeped 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 unbeliev.
ingly.
She looked up, her eyes still dark
with wonder.
He took her suddenly in his arms.
The pent-up longing of two endless
years seemed to eliminate in that
moment.
why, Barbara" he cried passion
ately. you're m~ine-you're mine!
And didn't know I was doing it!"