River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-02-27

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"TeIl me what you are thinking about,
jim"
south a hundred times. But she was
singing it tonight with a 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.
81 was seeing a 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 a 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 / lifted my hat and
waved it 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. l 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 a girl
must be to really and deeply and truly
love. JimY
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 a bigger
question than 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 more beautiful even
life | have never seen than the one in
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 l sit on a
pedestal and have the impudence to
talk to you as a child
But you're not impudent, JIM" she
broke in eagerly, land / understand"
I'm beginning to wonder" Stuart
continued. whether nature made
mistake when she made woman as she
u.s. | once knew a girl of fifteen to
whom | believe life was the deepest
tragedy or the highest joy of which her
heart will ever be capable. Else why
did the blood come and go so quickly
in her cheeks?"
A sudden flush mantled Harriet's
face, and she turned away that he
might not see. Stuart's head bent low
and rested between his hands.
Il loved such a little girl once.
dear
Harriet's face suddenly flushed with
ioy 1t was too wonderful to be true.
but it was true! And he had chosen
this curious way to tell her. Her voice
sank to the softest whisper as she bent
closer:
And you love her still, JimW
His head dropped lower as he sighed:
Il loved and lost her, little pal! She
was married two days ago. She came
to the great city, learned it's ways and
sold herself fer gold"
The color had slowly returned to the
little freckled face with it's crown of
golden hair, and the deep brown eyes
overfowed with tears for just mo-
ment. She brushed them away before
he raised his head, so that he never
knew.
I'm so sorry, jim" she said simply.
Il understand now"
Its very sweet to have you share
this ugly secret of my life. little pal.
1t will help me-"
And you are sorry you ever knew
her. Jim?"
mo, I'm not sorry. I've grown to
see that there's just one thing in the
world that's really big-big as God is
blythe man who has attained char
acter | haven't lived at all yet. I'm
Just beginning to see what it means 10
live. Until now I've thought only OF
myself new light has illumined the
way. Now-Tm going to live for 9th
ers From today shall ask nothing
for myself. and l can never be disap-
pointed again"
Harriet looked up quickly.
Would it please you. Jim. if should
make a great singer?"
More than | can tell you. dear
Your voice is a divine gift. | envy you
its power"
Her eyes were shining with great
purpose.
II know that it means years and
years of patient work. but I'll do 1t.
she cried.