The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-10-11
fCDrvScs. Seclrcxi Au Rights Reserre6)
Driven From Sea to Sea,
Or, JUST A CAMPIN'.
- = = ~

~ G. o POST.
ruBLIsuRD BY PERMISSION or J. Z. DowxRY
4 Co.. PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO.
CHAPTER xxI--coS7IsrEp.
From Erastus they heard but seldom,
but knew him to be at work on his claim
At the Slough.
Mrs. Parsons had written him Of the
destruction of the old home, and of
their removal to the new, soon after its
occurrence, and also of Jennie's mar
riage to Ensign and their removal to
Chicago.
Of Lucy's breaking with Mr.. Annel-
sey she did not write, thinking possibly
it might not be permanent. in which
case it would be better for Erastus, il
still feeling attached to Lucy. not to
have his hopes raised to be again dashed
TO the ground.
MIR. Annelsey, however, did not plead
very earnestly with Lucy to reconsider
her action in Diminishing him. It was
several weeks before his reply came;
and then, While he expressed regret at
her decision, he did not urge her
very strongly to reverse ii. Knowing
thai his parents would oppose his mar
riage with poor girl, he had not in
formed them Of his engagement, and
no comments would therefore be made
n its being annulled; a fact upon which
he now congratulated himself
lie had already begun to feel his af-
lection for Lucy weaken with absence;
was. in fact. becoming enamorcd Of an
other young lady in whose society he
had frequently been thrown since his
return to New York, and whose posi-
ton in wealth was equal to his own;
and although lie told himself that Luz
cy's letter had broken his heart il is
probable that after the shock to his self
esteem was over he was rather glad
than otherwise.
If Lucy expected or desired more
vehement protcstation of love from her
disguarded sutton than she received, her
manner upon opening his letter did not
reveal it.
She read the letter in the presence
Of the family. and then calmly handed
it to her mother. The next day she
replied to it, reiterating her desire to
be free from their engagement and ask
ing the return Of her letters.
Il shall send yours. together with the
ring and other jewelry, by the same
mail that takes this letter." she wrote
him. and having sealed it and seen it,
in company with the package, safely on
Its way to the office, she went about her
usual duties with a cheerful, even mer.
SrSy 0s~ xu1sah IF
fort to her parents. aud OF especial sat.
isfaction to her father.
IF Rastus I'D only come back now
1t nd be all right" he unused. and feel.
ing certain that the young mans aflec
ton for Lucy had not waned because
of absence. fully expected him to come
back and ask her to be his wife.
For this be waited with impotence
wondering at Erastus' delay and in
venting excuses for il.
aspect the poor fellow hasn't jes
got the money by him to come on" b
said to himself
And then again: MAY be he's put
tin in his crop an wants to finish S.
it will be GROWN while he's gone" Or
like enough, he's a-workin' for som,
body else for spell an can't honorabll
get Oh right away"
Eut as the weeks passed into month.
and the only evidence that Erastus hat
not forgotten them was letter express
ing his sorrow at the loss of their home
and a hope that he might some time as
sist them If they should require it, blu
never word about Lucy or any inten
ton of visiting the family. all hope .
seeing Lucy married to the man whom
h. loved as son and respected for HI,
manly qualities began to die out o
John Parsons bosom.
'Rastus was always awful proud, y
he said to himself, IAN l reckon ht
cant get over the girls preferrin' o
that young jackanapes to him in the
first place"
He still supposed that Mrs. Parsons
had written Era-tus OF Lucy's dismissal
of Annelsey. and it was not until
months had passed and summer was
giving place to fall that he learned diff
lercntlv.
He had never mentioned his hope tha
the young folks would make up X
any one.
Erastus knew that Lucy was with hel
parents, but supposed her only waiting
for her affianced to come and claim her
and 50 worked on, striving TO conquer
his love, but never succeeding, even fol
moment.
And Lucy, although knowing thas 81.
loved Erastus, had always loved him
either supposed that he knew Of bel
broken engagement, and knowing j
was silent because he had no love fol
her. or, If she suspected he did no
know. was restrained by maidenly re
serve from taking any steps to acquain
him with the fact:
One day Mrs. Parsons was helpinj
Ter husband in the garden, when some
thing was said about Erastus.
Il wonder" remarked Mrs. Parsons
.swhat he is doing now? 1t is goo<
while since we heard from him. wisl
knew how he Is getting along, Poo
boy, he must have . hard time of
with no one to keep his clothes in orde
or do a thing for him. I wonder If b,
ever Trunks of getting married?
swering her own question; "he has 60
> little start by this time and ever,
young man on farm needs wife.
hope he will get good ono when HI
does marry"
John Parsons gavo his clothes . i,tl
hitch, - habit he had whom 1t loss 70
. word. Then turning his back to hi
wife and putting an extra bit Of foro
into tho hoo he was using. said:
II had sort o. though may b no an
Lu;y'd make up. now Annsleey's out Q
~ wsy, bpt 1t seems they don