New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-02
ELVIRA'S CHANCE.
A KANSAS IDYL.

lily.
"There-so-stand overr she muttered ignor-
Ing the querulous voice.
"Elvira." wistfully. 'I'n strain the milk to-
night You needn't bother. I want you TO go
right straight TO bed and get good nights sleep.
Elvira-Why don't you answer"
II didn't know you asked me anything. what
do you want me to say?
You will go to bed. won't you. EiVlra! lou
ought to get all the sleep you can"
Il expect will: I guess we'll both go to bed l
don't see why I need sleep any more than you do
I don't see why shouldn't strain the milk. same
as I always have"
Again the two MIXED in silence. The twilight
deepened Stars out. A gentle wind from
vast spaces drifted by. The plaintive note OF
nghtbird came across the invisible prairies. From
the posts of the corral. crckets called to one an
other The cornield close at hand was murmur-
Gus with growth. Mosquitoes were abroad. and
the were restless
Twice Elvra rose and emptied the contents OF
her milking-pail into a larger one outside the
bars The movement brought her into line with
the narrow road which stretched through the
cornfield from the corral to the house. It's dim
ming perspective was closed by the barn. which
had gathered to itself all the light OF the after
glow. Against its pale surface a dark horse
a warm color mounted to her face, and she smiled
In the dusk She understood her mothers solicit
tude.
"Elvira! why don't you hurry up and finish
your milking?'
Eyes. mother So therew she said. and sat down
at the left side of the COW.
Like most Kansas farmers they worked In the
fields till shutdown. then they did the chores
There were horses. chickens. pigs and calves TO
feed After this Elvira went to find the cows,
while her mother cooked the supper. In the long
summer days it was always o'clock before the
work was finished.
There" said Elvira. as she hung the box she
used for a stool upon fencepost. Amt you
most through. mother?'
81 don't believe you've MIXED those last COWS
dry. You seem to be in dreadful hurry
81 thought you wanted me TO get to bed" said
Elvira. defensively.
and so / do. Elvira. You don't get sleep
enough"
The woman rose, stretching upward her lean
back and shoulders. rounded by much toll.
Her maternal solicitude had lately been aroused.
At times she found herself fretfui and querulous-
and it was so necessary that she could be calm.
wise. diplomatic.
Don't hurry 50. Elvira" She herself was clos
ing the DarS with desperate Hds'r. ""N
started toward the house.
"Well. mother what do you want?" She spoke
pettshly. She felt as If her feet were winged, and
vet she must wait. First you want me to rush
right 10 bed and then you want me TO lag along
all night. don't believe you know what you do
want"
"Elvira YOU have no call TO speak 10 your
mother in that way"
'Wellw said Elvira 1t was evident that she
sympathized with herself.
They walked on. The singing corn was all
about them, save In front. where the dark horse
had grown larger but not more distinct in the
deepening twilight. Half way down the path Mrs.
Fulson set down her two pals Of milk.
"Elvira, l want TO talk TO you. You know as
well as do that that Melville Wright is at the
house waiting for you. You have nothing to do
with the likes Of him. II you're the girl you ought
to be-a Fulson and Matney-youl go right In
and straight TO bed Say good evening to him
civil. and go right into your room. He hasn't any
business to come here this time Of night. anyway.
why mother, 1 don't think that's being civil.
'Twould be just the same. no matter when he
come II it's in the daytime you say I've got to
work.
Eyes. Your mother works you to DEATH
Jaw. You know didn't say that Well-have
1t that way If you want to-"
such as he has no business to come here any
way Elvra. But I'll treat him right. Nobody 8
ever come to my house that wasn't treated polite.
I'll entertain him"
Elvra Uttered nervously. There was note OF
anger in the sound. She stirred the fine dust with
her bare toes.
~ amt no objections to him for stepfather.
OF course. I'll 60 TO bed and get out Of the way"
she said flippanty
The older woman blushed with shame. and then
turned white. To be thus DETAINED. and by the
lips Of a daughter, She picked up her milk pals
and walked on in silence. Elvra followed re-
pressing the contrition that struggled at her
heart She had not always questioned the judy
ment of her mother But lately had she learned
to demur. 10 disagree. to rebel. But lately new
thoughts had crowded into her BRAIN and made
her heart restless. and barbed her tongue.
They emerged from the corn into the open space
Of the dooryard. and turned to the low. frame
house. implanted. weather-stained. From the
bench by the door a ounging figure rose.
Good evenin'. Mis- Fulson: howdy. Elvira."
Elvira. with a stiff good evening"" passed into
the house.
why. is that you. Mr.. Wright. sitting here in
the dark by yourself. Come In. I'll get a lamp"
They went into the little kitchen. Mrs. Fulson
stumbled over a chair and the physical jar
brought to her eyes the tears which her anxiety
and that last coarse stab had already prepared.
She fumbled on the shelf for a match. and was
noisy and awkward about lighting the lamp. Ell
vira went straight 10 her room and shut the door
with bang Hers was not the dgnifed with
drawal that Mrs. Fulson had desired. Melville
Wright gave a low. soft whistle.
II hadn't noticed the weather a-rsin'." he
ventured. Jocularly. "They come mighty sudden.
them windstorms"
AIRS. Fuson's hosptable soul was fain TO apollo
gize-to say that Elvira wasn't feeling well. she
worked too hard. But. Let him think she's mad.
cure him quicker" she thought.
II hadn't noticed no storm coming. DO you
think weli have one tonight? Were so shut In
since the corn's got big. we don't see them TIL
they're right over our heads
II guess you won'' need TO prop yer doors shut
tsutrht Mrs EuIson 4 want referrp' tho