The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-24
THE WEST PASTURE.
How the Trouble It Caused Was
Finally Settled.

How the Trouble It Caused Was
Finally Settled.
glory of purple and gold; the last rays
of the setting sun entered the window
of the farmhouse, and, slanting across
the row of shining milk pans, formed
a halo of gold around the head of the
farmers daughter. Cecile Grey, as she
stood with the full milk pail poised in
her hands, and tn ought seriously, a
perplexed pucker between her straight
brows.
Pretty she was not. but her fair.
calm face, looking placidly out from
beneath her crown of really beautiful
hair, the envy of all the village girls,
was very attractive.
The farm laborers were coming from
supper, the day was dying as the sun
sank reluctantly behind the trees, and
still Cecile stood there silently, buried
in reverie, and unmindful of what was
going on about her.
"a penny for your thoughts, Cecy, ="
spoke out a manly voice.
And Jack Newton appeared at the
outer door.
Cecy, turning, came out of her brown
study.
81 was thinking OF the picnic to-
morrow. Jack. No one has asked me
to go. and l wondered if must stay at
home after all That momentous ques-
ton SO occupied my thoughts that l
had forgotten my evening duties"
"Will you go with me, Cecile? It is
on mothers account that / have not
asked you before. But as was stroll
ing past, half inclined to give it all up,
saw you. and that settled my doubts
as to what to do"
There was a tender light in the young
mans eyes as he spoke, and the pretty
pink color flushed into Cecile's cheek.
''Of course will go, Jack. Why al
low her dislike to spoil our pleasure?
She will forgive me some day"
so it is settled? You will come with
me?"
Eyes, Jack"
Well pleased, the young man went
on his way.
The cause of Mrs. Newton's dislike to
Cecile was trivial one.
When she was little girl Cecile's
father had given her the deed of a
bit of land, called the west
pasture, which lay between the New
ton farm and that Of Mr.. Grey.
Two years before our story opens
Mrs. Newton had made Cecile an offer
for the land. It would complete her
east pasture, she said. and fill in the
corner, thus making her acres form al
most square.
She bad set her heart on having the
pasture, but Cecile loved the place, and
would not sell it Mrs. Newton tried
by coaxing and liberal offers to gain
her point, but the girl was determined.
At last. flying into a passion, the elder
lady rated the younger soundly for "a
mink, who thought herself
too good for her place, and who would
never get her Jack, for whom she had
set her cap"
And. having thus relieved her mind,
she went home
For two years she had not entered
the Grey farmhouse unless she knew
the only daughter was absent. Good,
Mrs. Grey overlooked the
feud, welcomed Jack cordially when
ever he called, paid little neighborly
visits to Mrs. Newton, and in every way
tried to mend the breach which Jacks
kept fresh by daily repinings
Cecile, when Jack had gone, went
about her duties with light step and
q lighter heart When, at last, every
thing was done, she sought her pretty
room, which was tastefully adorned by
her own hands, and, sitting by the win
dow. looked out over the hills and won
dered if the morrow would bring the
fair weather the night promised.
Meanwhile Mrs. Newton, her face
red with anger, stood listening to Jack,
who, with his bedroom lamp in his
hand, had turned as he reached the
door, and said: Il must be up early in
the morning, mother. for am going to
the picnic Cecile has promised to &C
company me. intend to ask her to be
my wife" he went on, in some con-
fusion. ''She will make you a good
daughter. mother; you know you haye
always longed for one"
But not such one as you want to
give me-" exclaimed Mrs. Newton. $40,
Jack; l will never welcome her to this
house! If it had been anyone else
but Cecile Grey. never"
Mother" said Jack, firmly. why
cannot you overcome this foolish preju-
dice? l shall marry Cecile if she will
have me; better accept the inevitable"
And he left the room.
Mrs Newton was taken by sur
prise. After awhile she cooled down
little
After ALL" she thought. ''if he does
marry her that west pasture will come
to US. But l will never give in, not
even for that Jack shall lose the farm
Il he marries Cecile Grey"
That night, Cecile, in her pretty
white led, dreamed of Jack At first
her dreams were peaceful. but as the
night Wore on they became disturbed,
and at last she awoke with the strange
feeling that her lover was in danger.
Mechanically she arose, and having
donned wrapper and slippers went to
the window. As she threw up the sash
and leaned ont across the sill, she saw
that cloudy sky had taken the place
OF the starry one she had gazed at ear
lier in the night.
The wind had risen. and blew in fit
ful gusts around the corners OF the
house
y troubled thought of the pleasure
She had anticipated came to Cecile, and