Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-07-25

ing maid, who fed screaming at the
only word Of Joan's breathless speech
she seemed to grasp. Again Joan ran,
this time up two other long flights. in
to hall and through It straight into
that fairyland she had glimpsed from
| afar.
But the bad demon whose entrance
into this paradise she had witnessed
was by. this time writing in long,
curling flames up the beautiful cur
tains. With a fierce, militant resent
ment against this despoilment Of her
fairyland, and reckless Of the danger
in her battle to preserve it barehand-
ed, Joan seized the flaming curtains,
tore them from their fastenings,
threw them to the floor and cast q
heavy rug upon them. =
And so, hurrying in to discover the
cause Of the extraordinary !commo-
ton, they found her, just awakening
to q realization Of her surroundings,
and her burned hands. ~:
Doctor Strickland reached Joan just
as the pain brought blessed uncon-
seriousness. He carried her to a couch,
demanded various articles and skill
fully dressed the burns, the while
they wondered who she might be and
whence she came.
Presently consciousness returned,
and though with it returned, too, the
agony of her Wounds Joan struggled
Ito her feet, and with faltering voice
started an apology for her intrusion.
But strong hands gently pushed her
back and three people voiced gratt-
l|tude and questions.
Joan tried to explain. II love sun.
light and colors so! Not much Of ei-
lther has ever come my way. All that
| Il get comes from your windows. I
was watching; but I'm going to get
my own. I'm studying" she began
then stopped short at twinge OF
pain and gazed down at the poor
bandaged hands. Mrs. Smith caught
that look and read it. 1mpulsively
she spoke:
"You're not going to do any study
| ing for awhile, nor anything else, but
| just stay right here and he nursed by
me, my dear; and Stanton will come
every day to dress your burns"
II sure WILL" the latter volunteer
ed; land perhaps Miss Joan, since
she loves color so much, will be will
ing when she's better to tell me what
ones to use in my new offices over
among my poor folks on Carmine
street."
Joan sat straight up. "Carmine
street," she exclaimed; II was born
there. r. Oh, doctor, make it bright
Make it-like this !" She looked about
her at the room, then sank back with
"a little moan Of pain.
They gave her sleeping potion and
put her to bed. So ended the first
day.
The fortnight has passed. The burns
are healed, the bandages gone. But
on Joan's left hand something has
been substituted that binds tighter
than any bandage. She stands in q
! DIOdu Idy VI SuuSAAAS "oISAE, ALA -
Smith hang silken curtains Of bronze
gold hue. Through the door strides
a Greek god? Or could it be movie
star? No; just big-hearted man
who has dedicated his life and knowl,
edge to humanity. He puts an arm
around Joan.
Just see the beautiful sunlight,
Stan," she says, land to think-I'm
not away off across the street, looking
in, but actually living in it-with you
Oh, Stan, If can only help you bring
it into other peoples lives, as you
have brought it into miner
II didn't bring it to you, little wife;
you few straight into it-but I'm going
to keep you there always"