Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-09-30
THE TIMID MAN
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

Hiram briggs wanted a wife. He
wanted one badly. for he was living
alone, and he knew very little about
housekeeping, although he was a first
class farmer. He owned one of the
best of farms, horses, cattle and fine
house. nicely furnished, and with every
modern lmprovement-every in
fact, was his except the one thing
needful, worthy helpmeet.
Hiram knew just the girl he want
ed to marry. He had long loved her
In secret, but was too bashful to pop
the question. From his corner pew
In the church he watched her as she
sang in the choir, her sweet voice ris-
ing above the others. Sometimes he
found courage to walk home with her.
but he always left her at the gate with
out the decisive word, but with timid
glance of love that Sally did not re-
sent. He would walk past her house
evenings, longing for boldness to go
up to the door and knock, then would
go back to his lonely home to dream Of
her.
Sally lived alone, and she was a good
housekeeper, bright and witty, and
the best Of company. There was ev-
cry reason why these two should join
forces, if only Hiram could have made
the first move. Sally would have been
perfectly willing-if Hiram would ask
her.
Sometimes it happens that circum-
stances favor the faint-hearted, and
circumstances helped Hiram at last
He had been to town to buy grain and
was returning home just before sun
set. It was a pleasant ride, and he let
Prince walk up the long hills while
he unused, thinking of the wife he
would have some day. Yes. he would ask
Sally to marry him-he always said
that until he came face to face with
her, when his tongue refused to speak.
Her bright face would make the home
cheerful. 1t was happy future that
he pictured, but he had seen that
picture many times with his minds
eye, and had come no nearer to the
realization Of it.
He had reached the top of the hill
|, where he always stopped for a rest.
for from this point Sally's house was
visible, a mile away. Sometimes he
would see her in the dOOryard, and
she would wave to him, then he would
ride on perfectly happy. Prince
stood still of his own accord. But as
Hiram looked across the fields he saw
something that made him start in fear.
Fire! Sally's house was burning !!
Was she at home? Did she know?
The house stood by itself in hol-
low, far away from neighbors. Had
anyone seen the fire and come to help
her?
Hiram grasped the reins and
touched the whip to Princes back.
I Never In all his life had the horse
Travelled so fast as he now flew over
that mile of country road.
The house was nearly burned to the
ground when Hiram reached 1t. There
was Sally trying to put out the
flames and to save few of her cher
ished belongings. Juggling great buckets
of water from the cistern, with only
two small boys, who had been attract
ed by the smoke, to help her.
Jumping from the wagon, Hiram
rushed up to her and caught her in
his arms. She was so wearied that
she chung to him with a stifled cry, but
with feeling of comfort and protec-
ton.
"Cheer up. Sally!" he cried. "Aih't
1t nice happened round in the nick
o. timer" He was feeling strong now,
and the feeling of her arms clinging
to him took away all his fear.
"Your house is gone and all there is
in it. 'Tain't no use trying to save
anything, and faint necessary. My
house is big enough fur us both. It's
been waiting for you long time, SAL
ly. / always meant it for you."
He carried her to the wagon and
seated her by his side, and she had
not spoken word, but he knew by the
feeling of her arms clinging to him
that she was willing
He took up the reins. go lang,
Prince !" he called, "and be quick about
it." Then he turned to her with the
old shy look. "Mebbe faint quite the
fair thing TO take you so sudden" he
blurted. But I've wanted you all the
time. Sally, only hain't darst to ask
you"
Sally blushed and the laughter came
back into her eyes through her tears,
with a roguish look she answered, as
she crept little closer, 'Mebbe you
never would have got the courage to
ask me, Hiram, If the old house hadn't
burned down. so / shall have to count
that as one of my blessings"
Her lips were so near, and so smil-
ing that he could not help kissing
them.
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndlcate:l