Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-10-24
AFTER THE STORM THE CALM
copyright, 1914. by w. werner.)

NSopSA46AI, 1O1f, Dy w. "cTucT.J
Matte bent over her sewing as she
forced herself to present an attitude
Of in difference while her visitor in
sisted on talking about David Gres-
ham. In spite Of the visitors closest
examination Of Mattie's countenance,
she failed to discern anything that
would prove her listener more than
politely interested in her news, but
despite her outward composure Matte
was all Of tremb,e.
So David had sold the house-her
house! As such she had always looked
and hadn't they both taken much
pleasure in deciding just how it would
be built? If it wasn't for that
wretched quarrel they would both be
living in it now, but Matte was stub
born. and although she knew that
the quarrel was her own falt she
could not bring herself to acknowl-
edge that fault, and gentle. loving
David. who had ever been willing to
shoulder all blame. had declared that
he had yielded too often to her and
that this time she must give in or the
quarrel would never be made up.
Matte had not given In. and, in
stead. had looked every day for signs
Of relenting on David's part, but the
latter kept his word and refused to
make the slightest overture for peace.
heart, but she told herself that he had
ceased to love her and didn't want to
make up their quarrel, and this idea
taking firm root in her head she
steeled herself against the pain in her
heart and tried Intellectually to forget
him.
And David as the weeks passed and
| that she did not love him, and, he
though it brought him much pain. he
tried to comfort himself with the
thought that it was better to find out
now than when 1t was too late. But
the belief that Matte did not love
him did not keep him from loving her.
and their occasional meetings caused
him much suffering.
At last these encounters became un-
beaable. and he decided to go far
away from the girl he found himself
loving more and more. A wooden sign
Of For Sale was placed in front Of
the little house he had built with
such loving care and he tried to find
forgetfulness in the city.
Months slipped past and the house
remained unsold and Matte had be-
gun to feel secure in the thought that
perhaps David would not be able to
find purchaser for it. but her tor
tured heart was made to bear still
| more pain when her visitor told her
Of its sale.
For some time after her caller left
Matte sat as in stupor. When at last
she reused herself it was to hastily
vista farewell one-to the house of
her hopes and dreams.
Down the road she went, all unsee-
ingly, for the mist in her eyes blurred
everything around her. and it was
not until dull roar Of thunder broke
the silence that she realized it had
grown very dark, and that there was
goin to be storm. Frightened, she
tried to hurry. The woods on both
sides Of her loomed dark and forbid
ing. Aagin there came muflfled
roar Of thunder; then another, this
time louder and much nearer. Terror
lent speed toher feet and she reached
the house just as the storm burst in
all its furry.
storm that was raging outside, but
in her heart was still wilder storm,
and it ragged with still greater fury.
The girl buried her head in her arms
and sobbed.
Peal upon peal Of thunder woke
the echoes Flash after flash Of light
ming coursed zlgzag through the
IlSdSSIS, dHu III IllS lQllQll lUc 6OUs
bing girl did not hear the door open
or the footsteps of the man who en-
tered.
In a lull between the humbling Of
the thunder the newcomer thought he
heard sounds from a room upstairs
and, wonderingly, went in quest Of
the cause.
The pretty girl. with face all tear
stained. looked up as he entered the
room and. with a cry Of David"
broke into still wilder weeping.
At the sight Of the girl he loved in
tears David forgot his resolution that
he would never give in to Matte.
forgot everything save that he loved
her and wanted to comfort her, and
his arms vent round her. Gradually
Mattie's sobs ceased and she lay pass
i've in his arms.
Then as the realization Of their
quarrel dawned upon them, Matte
struggled to free herself. and David
opened his arms and stood away from
her. "Mattie." he said softly. thought
you were glad to see me-"
"I was 80 frightened" Matte re-
piled. "and-and then you came: but
I thought you far away
have received an offer for the
house David answered "and II
wanted to see it once more before |
parted with 1t forever. came here
direct from the station and the storm |
caught me when only half way. But
what brought you here. Matte. in all
this Storm"
Il heard you had sold the place. and
90 I too came to bid it good-by," an
swered the girl. And then, as she |
thought Of all David meant to her
and II how good he had always been
to her, she conquered her foolish,
stubborn pride and added: "oh. David
I f1Yaf cannot hAar fn hAuA anu. nnA