Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-07-07
MAKING HER WAIT
BY RUBY h. MARTYR.

70 put another bit OF money in the viz
iage bank. But the big house had
never seemed so lonely nor her waiting
quite so futile as IL did this sunny dav
"hen her bank credit stood for an
even thousand. Grizel held the worn
DOCK tightly as she went ND through
the mousse where she had lived alone
since her father died. She did not
need to glance through the open doors
10 De reminded that the rooms needed
renovation. Had she not known the
way so well she would have stumbled
on the attic stairs because of tears
Living here alone. saving every biz she
could 10 exc out the restoration fund
Grizel was keeping her tryst for the
soul and body OF Jim Brett.
Il promised always 10 be waiting
and to believe he win make good" she
whispered on the stairs.
Stepping into the attic she locked
the door behind her and crossed To-
ward the caves. She always did lock
the door before she opened the old,
iron-bound sea chest that smelled OF
tke stuff OF much voyaglng around the
world with some ancestor.
When they were children Grlzel and
Jim had thought the rambling attic
a marvellous place for games and dam
sells in distress, and kings, and queens,
and knights Grant. Even then Grlzel
had kept her best treasures IN the old
sen chest and what treasure could
need more careful guarding than Jim
story OF temptation and fall. and his
determination 10 make good the awful
deficit he had Ieculated from the
bankT Was not that confidence for her
/ the greatest surety Of his love?
SO il was that Grlzel had kept her
tryst these Eve years since the short
oge had been discovered and Jim had
fed 20 escape the punishment How
much tine stretched ahead until he
should have saved the money To make
/ restitution, and return2 She dared not
ask 90 receive one word OF assurance
from Jim Ia his far country. She
| dared not lose for one moment the
grip on her own faithful waiting. That
simply must have some hold on Jim
And now she knelt there by the open
chest 20 renew her promise.
Somewhere az a distance n shop
whistle blew. and Grizel jumped up.
She had forgotten the attic door key
| that had slipped into the folds OF her
serge gown. and IL clattered 70 the
floor, bounced sharply on the plank,
and slipped into a wide floor crack.
GrlZel heard Il hit the sides of the par
titiOn as il fell down and down.
NOW I'm locked up here" she
cried dismayed by the immediate diff.
| fculty.
She could not hope TO break down
the door OF strong, hand-hewn planks.
She could not hope 10 make any
neiChbor hear from the single, small,
! back window OF the attic. IL was a
| question when she might be searched
for. She opened the window to let in
the sunny air. and knclt by the sill
and laughed softly at her sorry plight.
She might well be n real damsel in
distress. And Jim had always come
/ 60 the rescue when IL was a game.
The shop whistle blew again, and
Gr.zcl settled 10 watch. The sEad-
ows had heightened 10 the wall when a
/ boot cruuched on the gravel walk be-
I low. Some one was az the house door.
"Tm locked into this attic" called
Grizel III YOU win 20 10 the shed yoO
win find q large magnet TO tie 20 q
rope I viii lei DOWN.
Which she had the rope down he
1 came around the corner with the shoe
shaped iron. and tied q on.
"Pun away, my lady GrlzelT he
/ called.
"Jiml"
"Pun away" ne said sternly.
Gr.zers hands trembled on the cold
/ iron 81 the magnet. and then she let il
I down through the door crack 10 reach
/ the Key. Would the magnet find that
iron? Would the key cling fast? The
rope in her hand slackcned when the
magnet touched bottom, and then she
pulled il tnut. The key was found and
held.
Flinging open the unlocked door she
saw Jim. older. thinner, with eyes that
questioned hers. rs he stood there on
/ the attic stairs. Grlzel put out her
| hand. but he had no mind for social
amenities.
eve Just handed the money IN at
me bank" he said. slowly.
"You saved Il ali3"
every cent I'm ready 10 start for
myself now. guess | need you more
shan ever. Grizel. but IL isn't fair TO
ask you 10 make any such wait as you
NAV have 10 until I'm on my feet. That
Is what / came around 20 say"
Il don't see us waiting, JIM I've
rot some money saved that ] can use
10 tx the house up, and we can start
having q home right now. my knight !"
'AIy lady Grizcll A fellow just has
"a keep making good with yourself
having the faith that he will!" said
jim.