The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-02-11

She had written the valentine that
she had meant from the beginning to
write. She left Georgia and Lou
isiana now, and ran, pattering her
bare feet over the grass to the fence
that separated the yard from the road.
way.
'She's gone to the fields where pa
is" Georgia said as she watched Zouri
disappear down the roadway.
Yes, and what's more" Louisiana
answered, shell make pa say she can
up and do anything she wants to-"
They We're right in guessing that
Zouri had gone to tnd her father. She
knew that he was somewhere in the
fields, looking about his farm and
planning the spring sowing.
Every few moments her voice rang
out in a loud call: Poppy, where are
you?"
At last from a distance, she heard
the answer: "Halloo! Zouri, is that
you? I'm down in the potato field!"
When she reached him he placed her
on the highest rail of the fence while
he stood beside her and listened.
There had always been strong bond
of sympathy between him and this
little girl; perhaps because she was q
chip of the old block"
whats the matter with poppy's
little gal?" he asked.
Its Lous'any and Georgia; they've
been bothering me-"
Zouri's cheeks were flushed and her
eyes bright, and it seemed as if her
hair took on more defiant curl than
usual
Seth looked at her for moment.
Then he took her sunbonnet from he,
hand and placed it on her head
"What have they been bothering you
about, honey?'
Zouri quietly took her sun bonnet of
as she answered.: Because 1 said
was going to do something you didn't
want me to. But just have to do it.
poppy. 1t would make me feel so BAG
if didn't
Seth's face looked grave. 1t was g
puzzle to him sometimes to know how
to deal with Zouri.
"Well, honey" he said, soberly, "dic
you come way out here to get me tc
let you do thing after had told you
you couldn't?'
mo, poppy she said, 81 just come
to get you to make G eorgia and Lous'
any let me- alone and stop being NEAR
to me-
"Zouri, is it any thing bad you wan
to do?"
mo, it amt
"What is it, honey?'
81 can't tell you; it's a secret"
"Will you Tell poppy sometime?"
Yes, if you amt m can to me like
Lous'any and G eorgia."
He was silent. She slipped from thu
| fence and took his hal |, and they
started together across the fields TOWARD
home.
"zour, put on your sunbonnet; you'll
catch cold.'
Zouri obeyed Poppy" she said
what did you and Uncle Joe get angry
about? Did he treat you mean wher
you wanted to do anything?'
| Seth started. Joe had been in hi
mind more than once that day, because
it was the anniversary of the planting
of the stake, and Seth had stood fo1
| half an hour by the side of the stake
| recalling the circumstances connected
with it.
NO, Zouri; Joe wasn't exactly meal
to me. l reckon he was better'n l was
when it comes to that"
Then 1 amt going to be mad will
him." she answered, and the sunbon
net came off again. Anyhow, Ten
nessee's got to go on crutches all he
! life, an I'm sorry" For once -Four
was almost crying.
rs that fact, Zouri? Little Tenny
on crutches-all her life, too! What i
it was you, Zouri?'
There was no answer, and the,
walked home the rest of the way il
silence.
st. Valentines day was clear an,
beautiful There was peace between
Seth's little states.
Soon after dinner, without word t,
anyone, Zouri put on clean dress, and
hanging her sunbonnet on her arm
started away on her mission.
Seth had been watching her all day
He saw her start from home, but h.
said nothing.
She reached the point where the roa
crossed the head of the old mill pond
J She knew that Uncle Joe's was not ia