Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-01-27
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In Stress of Pity

By M. C. ENGLAND

ssociated Literary Prsss.l
In the woods by rushing stream. he
withdrew to distance and BarbArul
joined group Of chattering girls byI
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 and
they began to flock homeward m
chattering groups Of twos and thresss
Barbara had an instant's pang lest he
should fail her. but moment later be-
fell into step at her side.
With the homeward walk camq
back the crushing fear Of what might
befall her as a result Of her disobe+
dience. She knew only too well the
harsh illtemper Of her aunt She
Jagged more and more slowly. till AIN
the happy. laughter-loving crowd had
left them. Jasper Jagged even ona
step slower, seeming loath to brinH
the silent walk to an end. Yet the,
twilight. the solitariness. the veryI
nearness to the object Of his devo1
ton bred in him paralyzing shynessi
very agony Of selfconsciousness.
Never, perhaps, would he have q
chance like this again. yet the veryi
thought of speaking, Of even reaching
ont and touching the little hand tha4
swung near him, brought the perspira4
ton in great beads to his brow.
Barbara, with the growing intuftion
Of awakened womanhood. vaguely
realized all this.
As they came in sight Of the houaS
her heart began to beat painfully.
She moved closer to Jasper.
I'm frightened" she whispered.
For the second time that day a fre
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, y
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 little half-soh-
"Oh II hate herr" she whispered.
Jasper stood silent. staring NJ 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 run to keep mp with
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." any
Jasper, steady fire burning
In his eyes.
We'll. now. Pm surel" exclaimed
the minister's wife bewilderediy.
why. it's little Barbara Larsen and
and Jasper! Well, well. welI," She
led them into the front room and
Mighty good thing!" they heard
the minister say. THAT child leads \
dogs life" He strobe into the room.
We'll, Welt" he said kindly, so
you want to get married, That's
right, Jasper. You're doing i1no with
the farm now. A wife is just what
ycu need to make the old place look
right" He stood them up before him.
When II was over and they were
again outside, Jasper took Barbara1s
hand In his.
Come" he said.
They walked, hand In hand anA
speechless. down the village street
and along the road that led TO Jas
per's farm. As they reached the
gateway the moon peeped out from
under q cloud and flooded the or.
chard with silver light Jasper
stopped and gazed dazedly about al
the familiar scene. then down at his
wife's dropping head.
Barbara" he whispered uRbeliev-
ngly.
She looked up. her eyes stiD sara
with wonder.
He took her suddenly In his arms.
The pent-up longing Of two endless
years seemed to eliminate in thg
why, Barbara" he cried passion-
itely, you're minev-you're minei
And l didn't know | was doing M"