The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-03

springtime.
And 80 the very next day she set
the hired man to work laying off q
garden, and oil that week and the
next she spent her time in digging
and hoeing and spading. The fol-
lowing week John took her to the
nearest town, and she selected the
various articles she desired for the
house. She managed to furnish it
quite comfortably, and under her
deft fingers all things begun to wear
a homelike mir. The place lost its
barren and shiftlcss look, and even
the dog, Harold, seemed to feel the
change. He no longer wandered
aimlessly about as though seeking u
comfortablespot, but went to sleep n
picture of contentment on one of the
soft rugs in the sitting-room, keep
ing one Jealous eye always hnlf open
upon his playmate, Ruthie.
The months sped by, in spite Of all
the hardships she had to endure-for
life is hard for a woman in new
cOuntry-on light wings for Ruth:
She made the best of ull her trials,
and was as sweet and contentetl as
she hnd been in the f;,ir home they
had once owned md lost. Though
often her limbs acled and her head
was weary with tho weight of work
which fell to her share, she never
complained. Not once did she grow
fretful. or rcproacll her husband for
taking her SO far away from all that
she loved.
"lie liz doing the best he can," she
always said to herself, "nnd how
much have got to be grateful for"
And somehow the remembrance of
their first evening in the log cabin
would always bring the tears to her
eyes. 1t was such Il real proof of his
love and thoughtfulncss for her.
When the next Spring lengtllcncd
into Summer, and her sweet face be-
gan TO wear tired look that he did
not like to see, he came to her one
evening, saying gravrly:
'"Isuth, pack your trunk to night.
Tomorrow ! want to take you with
m" 4" san Diego. Important bust
ness calls mo there, and YOU and
Rutllie both need u change
"Hut how can you le,vet lie ranch, :"
Ruth asked. ''iust now. when you Az
most n.sslr,l:."
"ol', Reilly will take charge oi the
place aud the men will work for hin,
as we'll as for me-
lfRu'll had noticed him Just ,hc,
very carefully. she might have seen :,
twinkle in his eye that would made
her suspicious as to this "Inlsll..ss
trip" to San Diego: but like IL dutifnI
wife she packed mpam,l asked no fool.
isl questions.
When they reached San Diego.
much toler surprise her husband did
not go to a hotel. lie gave the
cOachnan s0mr directions. and they
were driven to an elegant looking
house in thu suburbs
"Why. didn't know yon had
friends lcre" Ruth cxclaimel in sur
prise.
"Oh, yes" said John. 81 have IL
number of them. This is the home OF
the hest friend have in the world -
"Why!" John nearly took her
breath away. She thought of her
shabby travelling dress and Ruthie's
shabbier cloak with dislnay, but she
made up her mind to- make the best
oft for Johns sake, anyway. A
lady could always be- n lady, no omat-
ter how she was dressed.
A neat Chinaman opened the door,
and nshered them into handsome
receptiOn-rOom. The house was
beautiful inside, and everything was
new and of the latest fashion. Ruth
sank into a finely upholstered easy
chair with IL feeling Of molncntnry
content. For u moment she almost
wished she might I've the possessor of
such Il home, and then she put aside
the envious wish.
"Make yourself at home, dear"
John snid, "while seek the master
OF the house. lie is probably in his
study. will return when | have
spoken with him privately. know
he will be delighted to know you are
here and welcome you
"llow strange John never told
me of this friend of his"
Ruth said to herself, as she amused
herself looking ut the handsome en-
cravings on the table near her.
Presently he returned, hut not as
she expected with the master of
the house, whom she was feel
ing a little in awe Of
"Where is he?" she asked.
"Here."
"lIele? Why, John, have you lost
your mind? There is no one with
you. You and are alone" She be-
gan to look frightened. What if
John had really lost his senses. lie
had certainly acted queer about this
San Diego trip.
To her urtheranlazcment, he burst
into IL loud laugh.and taking Il stand
in the middle of the floor, said with
apolitc bow:
dear Mrs. Dclano, allow mo to in
troduce to you the master Of this
house, John Delano, Esq, your hum
bic servant. lam monarch of all
survey"
John, you are surely going mad
and lwithy you. For heaven y sake"
she cntreated, "tcll me what you
meant"
"I'll tell you what l mean. little
wife," he said IL mean that l came
to SnE Diego last year during the
land boom, went into real estate
business and clcarctll small fortune.
This is your home, and all that is in
it belongs to Ruth and John Delano.
The ranch and the log cabin was
simply n trial of your love. wanted
to find out what kind of stuff my
wife was made Of
"And did you find out?" she asked OF
him, woman-like. not knowing whcth-
er to laugh or cry over this great Joy.
"Indeed did. Size was weighed in
the balance and not found wanting.
! know now that her love was strong
enough to brave all trials for me.
HencefOrth she shall be queen of my
prosperity
"It was a very pretty little drama
you chose to have me take the prin-
cipal part in," she said; "but l for
give you, and | am satisfied if you
are
Completely he answered with q
lovers kiss.
"Do YOU know dear John" she