Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-29


for Mrs. France would STAY.
Tidy up little, Molly he said. 81 want
her to see how pretty you aren l did not
answer, and he went back with the baby to
show her. / cooked the best dinner could
and put on the best gown 1 had. and it was
loose and old fashioned and my face was red
from the stove, but she sat there cool, dainty
and merry enough Glenn could not see it,
not being woman, but could feel touch
| of condescension in her tones and manner.
l kept thinking, oh, if l only were in my
own bome-I paused, was not the log cabin
my home?-my fathers house, then, where |
| had pretty gowns, and where 1 was light
hearted, too, and much better bred than this
big, bold woman. l thought all manner of
silly things, and Glenn having gone home
with her, went to bed at dark and pre-
] tended to be asleep when he came back.
Mrs. France after this was frequent Wis
. itor, and Glenn was often at her ranch; she
seldom spoke to me except to say good day,
and barely answered this Glen used TO
say, II should think you would like to meet
lady, Molly, and have some one to talk to-
! I'd answer, 81 would" but the sarcasm was
never understood by his masculine stupidity.
Baby had not been wen for two weeks, and
see the doctor. We got up bright and early,
the horses were harnessed, baby dressed and
just putting on my bonnet hat, when Glenn
came in and said rather awkwardly:
Mrs France has sent for me-
"Well?" answered coolly
cts this way, DEAR" Glenn went on hur-
riedly. ''You see she wants my advice
about bunch of cattle. They are here be-
fore she expected them. I promised her to
come, and 1 am anxious to be on good terms
with her."
$50, see"
He looked at me steadily. az don't know,
or l will not know, what you mean" he said
slowly; ''but l shall go as have agreed 1t
certainly will do the baby no good to go on a
fifty mile ride because you think he is sick.n
l stopped down and took off the baby's bon
net. If he dies l shall blame you," said,
and before he could stop me ran out with
the baby in nay arms. He waited moment,
then saddled the horses, for our man had al
ready embarrassed them, and rode away
Late in the afternoon the baby began to
scream as he never had before, and | called
Olsen, our man, good natured Swede, to
help me. He held the child while l tried all
the remedies / knew; then, when it was Qui-
eter, he rode off for Mrs Bohm 1t seemed
hours before he brought her back, but the
baby had been still all the time and was less
worried. She hurried to my side, knelt
down and looked in the little face. Its too
late" she said sadly, 'the dear baby's dy-
ing l remember gave cry that did not
sound like my voice at all, and then tainted
When l came back to life Glenn was beside
me, so white and miserable l might have
pitied him, but I would not I turned my
face away.
He wanted me to go home that winter, but
| would not. / was ashamed to go back,
shabby and faded. / had never written
word but that we were prosperous and happy,
and | knew besides the season had been bad.
the crops poor. and / felt Glenn had made
mistake in taking this ranch, which was only
fit for cattle. He was very quiet and thought
full all that winter, Borrowing, l thought, over
his failures and wasted work l was glad
Olsen was with us, and yet l think when
wife is glad of third person it is very sad
and deplorable.
Another summer came, and with the soft
June days Mrs. France and a number of city
guests There were gay parties and picnics,
where we were invited, but l never went.
Glenn accepted some of the invitations,
though, and was angry that I would not go
with him. l had nothing to wear, and he
could not understand the difference between
his picturesque frontiersman's costume, that
suited his bronzed face and broad shoulders,
and my old faded gowns on an exceedingly
plain little person. Then had no saddle or
habit. l used TO long then for the old home
days, the merry young folks, the pretty
dresses and music. Imagine, had not seen
piano since / was married, and l used to
play we'll Once in a while l thought of these
things but said nothing Had love and
caresses been given me would never have
thought this at all
The day before the Fourth Of July Mrs.
France rode over and asked us to come to a
picnic she was going to give to celebrate on
the morrow. Glen said nc would like to go
and would try to persuade me. l noticed
that he walked a long ways beside her horse,
and that they were in deep conversation, for
she stopped a long time looking toward the
house, In the morning Glen had the horses
harnessed to the wagon and was dressed in
his best When he came in to breakfast l
remember he was nervous and kept looking
at me furtively.
''Do dress up and go, Molly" he said, when
self. Why do you try to be SO bitter and IN
happyw
choked then. was near throwing my
self into his arms and crying, "Oh, love me
as you used to, pet me and kiss me- / am
starving for love, my heart is breaking"
But, suddenly, | remembered the day before
how interested they were.
You are so used to going without me I
a,ortf -,ola, . 4 II
He turned and lifted my chin, looking into
my eyes, at can't be possible that you are
SO silly as to be jealous OF Mrs France he
said slowly
"There is no jealousy where there is no
love-" l cried holly
Poor little slave" he said sadly az took
you from the happiest home in the world to
bring you TO this" was almost at his side |
then, telling him all my troubles, begging
him TO begin all over again and we might be |
happy, when he went on: "And yet they say |
wives are patient and enduring, satisfied to !
accept rainy as well as pleasant days. No |
girl raised as you were ought to marry poor |
man. We have made a terrible mistake"
Haven't | done your work well, as well !
as any farmers daughter used to this lifen |
cried in anger. Can you not even be fair !
and justs"
"You have done my work too well, " he an
swered; cit was useless sacrifice.r He |
caught his sombrero from the nail care You |
going with me!'
"a dowdy in a faded gown and queer haiti |
No. l keep where / belong. You might be |
ashamed of me as you were that day Mrs |
France saw me washing
"Juss put that silly idea out Of yorr head,n |
be said sternly, II never could be the mean |
fellow you think me, and yet you may be |
right in disliking me. / fancy never WIGS