Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-09-04
FREELY Al sic SAT- BESIDE THE BED.
WITH WllVMS HAND in HER5.'

strolled u together, in unloverlike
Iash1on walking on opposite sides of the
road, or else n behind the other. They
greeted one another calmly, and parted
with a guild NIGHT to We, Willum."
"Guid NIGHT, lassie."
l noticed occasionally, as Jeanne sat
at her sewing in the afternoon, that she
wore a piece Of honeysuckle or a pink
rose In the front Of her gown, and that
a sweet light OF content shone upon
her face, but yet she seemed SO COM
pletely absorbed In her household du-
~ imagine Jeanne to be suffering. like
the rest Of the world, from the disease
Of love.
Five years thus elapsed, ave years
during which we heard no more of mar
riage. Thrifty, indeed, was Jeanne, and
careful: Her bonnet was the plainest
in the kirk. and her Sunday gown ap-
peared to last eternally. She must have
put by money, with the canniness of
her country women, but to our uues-
tons (and they were rarely and prud-
emily putt as to how her engagement
was progressing, she would only an
swer fine" We had begun to think
sne whole AFFAIR a mere matter Of
friendship when one day we were sud-
denly startled out Of our preconceiyed
notions.
AS l entered the kitchen Jeanne was
engaged Smelling peas. and all the time
big round tears were falling on the
husks.
Jeanne, what is the matter? i
asked. completely taken aback at such
an unwonted sight.
"Eh, mistress. dear!" said Jeanne,
looking at me with her honest brown
eyes, and trying to wipe away her
tears. "Ill have to gang ava the
NIGHT Ye mustn't be angry, I Gamma
bide. The lassie can coo well, and I'll
leave everything handy"
II know you've trained the kitchen
maid admirably" I answered, "but
"Willum's ILL.," she said, and a fresh
gush of tears gushed forth, land his
mother has just tent for me to nurse
him; maybe she'll not want to engage
a stranger, We ken, on account of the
wages, and the stramash. and she
knows I can work hard-and specially
for my guild man that's to be-"
or course you must go, Jeanie." 1
said. quietly, thinking 1t best to sooth
her, for I did not recognize my quiet,
well balanced Jeanie. Probably VIII
lum is not as Ill as you think. Anyway.
go at once, and set your mind at rest"
jeanne thanked me shortly. and the
grip with which her fingers held the
end of the table relaxed.
= ASCi 0lSdolully sorry as she stood
there, so strong, alert, and capable
looking, the very image Of a splendid
farmers wife. However, 1 said no
more, and presently I saw her going
out OF the back door in her neal black
gown. carrying in her hand the bonnet
box which contained her clothes.
What happened afterwards at the
farm we only knew b. hearsay, VIII
lum's mother. a shrewd old lady. dis
liked her sons intended marriage.
knowing it meant a change Of mis-
tresses at the farm; yet, when he fell
Ill, and the care of the chickens, the
calves. and the butter left her no time
to nurse the invalid, she Immediately
put her pride in her pocket, ard desired
the presence Of Jeanne to save the
wages OF q servant.
Jeanne perfectly realized this, but
with the patient humility of love she
neither rebelled nor refused. Willum
was Ill. Willum's mother wanted her
It WIS her place to go. She could lift
him In he strong arms, sing him to
sleep with her rich voice, and with her
deft hands prepare his food. She took
her bonnet on, hung 1t up on q nail,
put on her white apron. and at once
proceeded to Willum's room. What
passed between them there s. too sae