Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-07-12

IEe twenty NiIletleS VI lOSCS dlOllS
that collection of seeds.
Isn't it wonderful to think of?" criel
Ruth, as delighted as child over hel
treasures. "And what can be in here?'
she continued, as she opened the second
parcel. "Wonders will never cease!'
she exclaimed the next moment, as she
poured whole bag of silver into hel
lap. and what is this for?"
To buy your parlor furniture" he
replied, laughing at her amazement.
"Honest!" She looked at him, hel
brown eyes sparkling.
1T is for Mrs. Delano to do with as
she pleases," he said. Il saved the
money to furnish the cabin with, and
thought to have it fixed up before you
came, but concluded on second thought
that you could do better than 1; SO
there's the money. Buy what please
and fix up the place to suit yourself"
We'll, if you amt the best John in
whole country" Ruth said, almost laugh
ing and crying in the same breath. How
could she ever be home-sick again?
And that night, instead of crying her.
self to sleep, as she thought that after
noon to do, she lay awake from very
joy, thinking Of the pretty things she
could buy and make for the cabin, and
imagining how picturesque it would
look covered with Lady Banks roses,
and how sweet the violet-beds would be
! in the springtime.
And so the very next day she set the
hired man to work laying off garden,
and all that week and the next she spent
her spare time in digging and hoeing
and spading. The following 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 began to wear home
like air. The place lost it's barren and
shiftless look, and even the dog, Harold,
seemed to feel the change. He no
longer wandered aimlcssly about as
though seeking comfortable spot, but
went to sleep picture of contentment
on one OF the soft rugs in the sitting
room, keeping one Jealous eye always
half upon his playmate, Ruthie.
The months sped by, in spite of all
the hardships she had to cndure-for
life is hard for woman in new coun-
try--on light wings for Ruth. She
made the best of all her trials, and was
as sweet and contented as she had been
in the fair home they had once owned
and lost. Though often her limbs
ached and her head was weary with the
weight OF work which fell to her share,
she never complained. Not once did
she grow fretful, OF reproach her hus-
band for taking her so far away from all
that she loved.
HE is doing the best he can," she
always said to herself, and what would
a palace be without his love? Besides
how much I have got to be grateful
for" And somehow the remembrance
OF their first evening in the log cabin
would always bring tears to her eyes.
1t was such real proof Of his love and
thoughtfulncss for her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer, and her sweet face
began to wear tired look that he did
not like to see, he came to her one even.
ing, saying gravely:
Ruth. pack your trunk tonight. To.
morrow want to take you with me tc
San Diego. Important business calls
me there, and you and Ruthie boil
need change"
But how can you leave the ranch,
Ruth asked, Gust now, when you arc
most needed?"
ooh, Redly will take charge of the
place and the men will work for him az
we'll as for me-"
If Ruth had noticed him just ther
very carefully, she might have seen
twinkle In his eye that would have made
her suspicious as to this business trip
to San Diego; but like dutiful wife
she packed up and asked no foolish
questions.
When they reached San Diego, mucl
to her surprise, her husband did not sc
to hotel. He gave the coachma1
some directions, and they were driver
to an elegant looking house in the su
burbs.
"Why, I didn't know you had friends
here!" Ruth exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, yes,' said John. Il have mum
Der of them. This is the home of thu
best friend have in the world"
"Why" John nearly took her breatl
away. She thought of her shabb,
; travelling dress and Ruthie's shabbie
cloak with dismay, but she made VI
her mind to make the best of it TO
Johns sake, anyway. A lady could al
ways be a lady, no matter how she wa
dressed.
A neat Chinaman opened the door