Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-02-15

ana pale to a hungry soul beside the
careless touch Of one hand and the
glance Of two clear, brown eyes.
On this summer afternoon with which
our story opens David had but started
up the little path that led TO the house
when he saw Grace coming toward him.
She was dressed in white. and as she
stood there waiting for him with her
bright. eager face she seemed TO David
something infinitely above him and his
existence. too pure and sweet and love
ly for human touch. There was a great
hunger in the gray eyes as he looked
and for an instant the thought flashed
through his mind of what death would
be for the sake of n like this.
I'm going TO get your father to row
me Over the rapids up to Fish Glen"
said Grace. Your mother and Tommy
are going with me and we're, going to
camp out for three weeks. Father can't
go for a few days and l want you TO
bring him up. I'm afraid to have him
row over the rapids alone. Tommy
said some n got drowned there very
often. I'm not afraid 10 have You
bring him, though" and the girl looked
ut David with eyes SO full of trust and
friendly liking That it brought a great
throb of joy TO his heart. He stood
before her dumb and speechless. But
Grace, though she noticed his silence,
thought nothing Of ii, III with a few
more words, went back to the house.
Poor fellow" she thought, his BASH
fulnesS Is actually painful" and for tho
rest of the evening she spoke no more
to David.
The next day the party set out and
the following days were lonely ones at
the farmhouse. Mr.. Scott had insisted
on Mrs. Gregg taking the mdCh-needed
rest. A mar and his wife had been
brought over from q neighboring farm
TO help with the work during the abb
sence of the party; and Sc every thing
vent on much as usual both in the
house and in the field. Down among
the wheat stacks the work went on as
buSily as ever. Non was more active
or energetic than David, bet his com
panions noticed that he looked often up
the river where, miles away, n tiny
white speck could just be liScerH2d ana
in the gray eyes fixed upon il was Q
look that puzzled them.
Two weeks went by, and Mr.. Scott
and David were 10 start the next after
noon for the camp.
Saturday morning was the time whec
the mail was brought from the nearest
town some sixteen mill IS away MIR.
c had wished TO wait for this and
50 IL was afternoon before the little
boat pushed off down the river. The
current was very strong and farther
down were the rapids Of which Grace
had spoken. The seemingly peaceful
little stream covered dau yers which
were well-known to those who had nv-
ed for years beside it: but even then
accidents We're of frequent occurrence.
But MI. Scott, as well as his daugh-
ter, had unlimited confidence in the
strong. experienced arm of David. Mr.
Scott sat idly in the end of the boat,
looking carcieSSly over some unimpor-
tant letters received that morning.
The moments glided by and soon they
were almost ut the camp. Mr.. Scott
folded up the letter he had been read
ing and put ii with the others. Here's
one for Grace" he said, she'll be glad
TO get that from Harry. Harry'S going
to marry her when we get back. l sup
pose she told you about 1t? With q
look at his companions face. But
Grace had not and 1t needed but one
glance at the misery in the gray eyes
to tell the story of David's heart.
Mr.. Scott was silent. Like q fash ii
all came to him. What need or use OF
words? And SO he said nothing, but
there was a world OF sympathy in the
kindly blue eyes as they rested upon
the face OF the younger man.
The sun had sunk and the evening
breeze, cool and soft, came to them
across the dusky hills. Far away up
the river a dim mist vas rising. A few
faint stars were shining down upon the
water calmly and quietly, as though
there was never q breaking heart in all
the great, wide world and naught but
joy and peace.
The boat grated harshly upon the
bank. Mr.. Scott stepped out and turn
ed 10 wait for his companion, but Da-
vid with n quick stroke had already
sent the boat far ous into the stream
and to saw his life the man upon the
bank could not have thought of a word
to say in the presence of the white
faced boy in the boat. He watched
him with a great pity in his eyes till
the boat was lost in the shadows OF
the evening. Then he walked slowly
toward the camp and Grace wondered
much hat night at her fathers silence.
The next day an upturned boat was
found some miles down the river and .
few days later David's body was
brought to the farm. But there was
nothing in the still, white face to tell
aught of the tragedy OF the summer
night.
Strange" said the men as they gath.
cred about the quiet form with W.
struck faces. David was the best row.
er about here" Bot Mr.. Scott said
nothing, and If Mt times the last look in
the gray eyes came to his mind none
knew of it-not even Grace.