River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-07-09

your age. | should think. Mr.. Nelson
And here is Miss Molly Bryan. my
daughter"
Nelson turned from James Bryan 70
his sister and looked into a smiling.
girlish face. To him her eyes seemed
to be patches of blue clipped from the
heavens. The sunlight of youth and a
light heart was In them. Her halr
was gold. fine spun and piled high on
her shapely head. Her cheeks were
rich in coloring. like the cheeks OF
English lassies. and her lips were
sweet and full.
Although there lurked in her con
stant smile the coquetry that is the
possession of all pretty girls OF twenty.
she had the grace of bearing OF her
mother, a wide brow and a bin that
suggested strength of character and
determination.
Il am glad to meet the famous Mr..
Nelson" she said pleasantly as d
studied his face for u moment.
have heard father speak of your invet-
tive work so often. He says that you
are a wizard with machinery
Nelson felt his face grow hot. All
thai he had known of human affection
was the great love that his mother had
given him and the dumb. animal IKE
devotion of the old convict who a
helped him escape from Sing Sin
There seemed to be a caress in the linn
pid eyes of this lovely girl before MIN
His heart beat wildly within him. The
warm touch of her hand sent a thrill
through his whole being.
"I-I-didn't know that | had become
famous" he managed to stammer.
She realized his bewilderment M
from his eyes caught the confession
that suddenly. swiftly and unexpected
ly he had met the woman he was to
love.
''Oh. but father knows all about ma
chinery, and he says that you are a
wizard she laughingly protested. the
color in her cheeks deepening.
The music Of MolIy's laughter lin
gered in his ears as Nelson followed
his host. MY boy, Jim, is a lawyer,
Mr.. Bryan told Nelson. I'VE shall be
busy on some other legal matters be-
fore we a take up the question OF
your next invention. III leave you TO
the care of Molly. She is a great
walker, and I'll warrant you that
when she brings you back from a tour
of the place you will have a splendld
appetite for supper"
Walking at his side. yer paths heavy
with fallen leaves, Molly Bryan seemed
10 him less Of earth than OF heaven
The rustic Of the crimson and golden
leaves under their feet drowned the
soft sounds of her garments. He heard
only her voice; he felt only b appre
citation Of the sanctity of her presence.
When he dared speak to her be had
to make an effort to keep his sonOrous
voice from trembling. She felt instinct
lively the effect that her nearness had
upon the quiet. modest companion of
her walk. and Molly Bryan accepted
with a feeling akin to awe the tribute
it implied. Not knowing the depth Of
his nature and guessing nothing of the
tragedy Of his life. she attributed his
taciturnity to shyness. She soon found
a way to unlOosen his tongue.
ut Is glorious in the Indian sum
mer," she said. as they paused to feast
their eyes upon u mingling of gold and
crimson leaves, but In the spring 1t is
even more beautiful through all this
country. Before the snow disappears
the trailing arbutuS is to be found on
the mountain Sides"
The simple pleasures OF the ROAD.
when he had travelled as a poor tinker
in his fight from the north to this
haven. had brought him the Joyful
knowledge of growing wild things. She
lured him from his silence with ques
lions about trees and flowers and
brought from him his simple praise of
all that was so freely given to him
who would but open his eyes and look
about him with discernment.
She listened to him eagerly and
coaxed him with questions when he
faltered and seemed suddenly conscious
of the fact that he was actually talk
ing to her.
The sun had gone across the noun
tains into the Tennessee country and
beyond when they returned to the
Bryan home. The supper hour, with
Molly seated at his side. the charm OF
a cor.pnted family circle and the hos
pitab..e attentions Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Bryan, put Nelson at ease.
ut will not be necessary to worry
longer about the proposition of your
manufacturers to secure an option on
your next invention Mr., Bryan told
Nelson as they left the table. "They
sent along a contract, and Jim mas
gone over 1t carefully. Jim thinks thai
it is. very fair and that it will be 10
your advantage to close with them.
Nelson thanked his employer.
"Your first invention has made you
practically independent. SO far as
wages 60" said Mr.. Bryan. "and !
must confess that | am a little dis
turbed on that account. | would K
you to remain with us. In a very little
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