The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-17

| 81 health"
She laughed merrily, showing her pretty
ts-eth, while he lifted her oil her horse, and
there stood with ray hands in the suds like
| a scrub woman.
'This il my wife, Mrs. France" said Glenn,
then he looked actually ashamed OF me.
felt it, Luckily, the baby cried, aud ran
into the house,
II heard you we've married, Glenn l heard
her say, II was talking Ia your wife" In
nv onyer | fancied there was u touch of
rilicule in her tone. | sat aud rocked tho
baby and listened to their talk in the other
room. and once in u while would feel sob
rising in my thront. After an hour Glenn
came out to ask me 10 cook n nice dinner,
for Mr., France would stay.
Tidy up little, Molly" he said, II want
her 10 see how pretty you are" did not
answer, aud he went back with the baby to
show her. cooked the best dinner could,
and put on the best gown ! had, and It was
loose and old fashioned and my face was red
from the stove hut she sat there cool, dainty
and merry enough. Glenn could not see 1t,
not being "a womnn, but ] could feel "A touch
of coudrScenSion IN her tones and manner.
| kept thinking, oh, if | only were IN my
own home ppllscd, was not the log cabin
my home: my fathers house, then, where |
had Pretty gowns, and where | was light
hearted too, and much better bred than this
big, bold woman | thought all manner of
silly things, and Glen having gone home
with her, | went to bed at dark and pre-
tended 10 be asleep when he came back.
Mrs France after this was II frequent Wis.
itOr and Glenn was often at her ranch she
seldom spoke to me except to say good day,
and barely answered this. Glenn used to
say, 81 should think you would like to meet
lady, Molly, and have some one to talk to-"
I'd answer, IL would" hut the sarcasm was
never understood by his masculine stupidity.
Baby had not been well for two weeks, and
finally Glenn promised to take me 10 town to
see the doctor We got up bright and early,
the horses were harnesscd, baby dressed and
Just putting ON my bonnet hat, when Glenn
came ia aud said rather awkwardly:
Mrs. France has sent for me-"
"Wellf' answered coolly.
"Its 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. | promised her 10
come, and | am anxious TO he on good terms
with her"
$50 | see"
He looked at me steadily. III don't know,
or will not know, what you mean, he said
slowly; but | shall go AS ! have agreed. IL
certainly will do the baby no good to go on n
fifty mile ride because you think he is sick"
| stopped down and took of the bnbys bon
net. II he die. | shall blame you" said,
l..T III 4
the baby in my arms lie waited n moment,
then saddlel the horses, for our man had al
ready embarrassed them, and rode away.
Late IN the afternoon the buby began TO
scream as he never had before, and called
Olsen, our man, "A good naturcd Swedc, TO
help me He held the child while | tried all
the r"mcd:c~ knew; t'icu, when it was qui-
r.. ~, ho rode or for MIR. BoIm 1t seemed
hours before he brought her hnck but the
baby hai been -t,ll all the time and va, less
worried Snr hurried 10 my side, kuolt
down AMI looked Ia the little face. at, too
atcn she said sHdIy, "the dear baby's dy-
ing remember CAV" ncI4 that did not
sound lie my voice 1T all, and then tainted,
Wnrn came hlci, TO life Clean was beside
me, 20 white and miserable | might haya
pit.cl him, but would not. turned my
face away.
lie wanted no % go homo that winter Lul
aouid not. was ashamed 80 20 back,
,hubb, aud faded | bad never written
word but that "c were prosperous and happy,
and knew beside, rar season had been bad,
the crops poor, ana felt Glenn had made IA
mistake ia taking lhl, ranch, which was only
IT, foroatllc. Hewusyety quiet and thought
ful all Chat winter, sofrowInE thought over
BIS failures and waste work. | was gl9d
Olsen was with Us, and yet ! think when
wife is clad Of n third person it is very sad
and depIorabtc
Another summer came, and with the soft
June days Mrs. France and u number of city
guests There were gay parties and picnics,
where We were iuilt"d, hut | never went.
Glenn accepted Nciuc OF the invitations,
though, aud was angry that | would not go
with him. | had nctIiu: 10 wear, and Ia
could not understand the difference between
his picturesque irrutlerSnan'S costume, that
suited his bronacd iacc ani broad shoulders,
aud my old faded gowns ON nm exceedingly
plain little person Then had no saddle on
habit, | used 10 long then for the old home
drys, the merry Young folks, the pretty
dresses and music Imagine had not seen
a piano since | was nnrried. and | used To
play well. Once IN while | thought of these
things, but said nothing. Had love and
cares,cs been given me | would never have
thought this at all
The day before the Fourth OF July Mrs.
France rode over aal asked Us TO come to u
picnic She was going To give to celebrate on
the morrow Glenn said he would like to go
and would try &, persuade me. noticed
that he walkrd II long ways beside her horse,
and that they were III deep conversation, for
she stopped hong time looking toward the
house" In the morning elem had the horses
hnrnesSed TO the wagon and was dressed in
his best. When he came in 10 breakfast |
remember he was nervous and kept looking
nj me iurtiNcly.
"Do dress up and 80, Molly" he said, when
handed him his coffee, "be your old, sweet
self, Why do yon try to be So bitter and UNI
happy
choEelthcn. | 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 50 used to going without Inc
might spoil your pleasure said coldly.
He turned aud lifted my chin, looking into