American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-05-02
SHE
BY ELEANOR C. KENYON.
UPRIGHT. 1919. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicste)

per SS ha'NN'N'
The slow ticking of the old-fashion-
ed clock was the only sound that broke
the stiffness in the living room at the
home of Amos Chester.
Marion, his only daughter and
~usekeep was seated comfortably
in the big armchair, glancing over the
daily papers, and a look of resent
ment now and then stole over her usd-
ally placid face as she glanced at the
sleeping figure of her father. TonlSht
the paper held little attraction Tor
her. The pages which she had always
found so interesting and enjoyable
were passed lightly over. The day
had been a rather dull one-the over
hanging clouds of the past few days
were the harbingers of the storm that
had now settled, and the wind, increas-
ing in velocity, had made indoors a
safe haven.
After her father had retired, Marion
settled herself before the open CRATE
watching the tiny flames leaping here
and there and slowly and surely con
suming the great pieces of wood which
were req 10 the ~leIy hlolN'NA' "N
so our dreams end in ashes-and ASH
es of regret, most of them" she said
aloud, as she carefully placed another
piece to be devoured.
How unjust it all was-the boys
had all married and had homes OF
their own while she-but she must
not bring to light the ashes that had
slumbered so long and, brushing away
the tears that came to her eyes, she
drew her chair more closely to the
cracking flames and, lowering the
light, gave herself up In reverie.
The heat from the fire, coupled with
he stiffness of the room, made her
drowsy, and she was soon wrapped
In the arms of Morpheus.
The smiling face of Doctor Bruce
peered from the rudy glow his arms
of welcome were stretched toward her'
and the lips that had uttered u
ations were now pleading her forgive
ness.
She saw him like a ministering an
gel going from one cot to another
giving help and cheer to the boys WHIT
had so freely given their all.
The slamming of a shutter aroused
her: the fire that had buried so bright
Iy was now a heap of ashes. and The
dream, the realization of which was
part of the happy past, was ended.
The shutter fixed. she made prepare
ions to retire. Sleep could not b.
wooed, and from the darkness imagi
nary figures arose before her. Tha
same face. now. so kind and indulgeni
and then the other, for whose safet,
her lips had remained sealed.
The morning had a new dawning-
the terrific wind had abated and tn
sky was fecked here and there b
myriads of pink touches, and peepin
from the east was the sun, gloriou
in its refreshed beauty.
AS Marion gazed on the beautifl
picture a new hope revived within he
Cheerily she commenced her nous
hold tasks, and now and then snatch
es of a o N of other days arose frol
her lips.
A violent pull at the bell startle
her and, rushing to the door, she four
herself gazing at the face of h
dream, Doctor Bruce. Bereft
speech, welcome and gladness pc
trayed themselves on her face, al
Doctor Bruce knew that none ht
usurped the place that had been
the past so dear to him.
Leading the way to the room whe
she had dreamed of this happine'
which had now become a reality,
soft glow creeping to her cheeks,
the past was forgotten in the JOY
the present as she listened once aga
to he voice of by-gone days. !
told her how he had arrived the mig
before and came over the road IN
comrades car, so anxious was he
ask her forgiveness of the past. ]
smoke of his wandering after the d
he thought her false to him how
had offered his services to his cOuntr
of his work over there; he told her
meeting her cousin, from whom
had heard the whole story. How S
had shielded him for his mothers sa
and had suffered accomplishing
all these years.
"NIarion. dear. Can you ever f
give me?
"When think what a cad l v
for ever doubling you" but !
hand was placed gently on his
and with a face radiant with hap
ness she nestled close beside him 8
whispered, Eyes, Jack-and we ct
have done our part"
Plenty.