Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-11-14
CHAPTER T

The early darkness of a moonless
winter night had fallen nowhere more
darkly n coldly than upon a GER
tain Western town, whose houses
We're huddled together In the valley
as If for mutual protection against the
fierce winds sweeping through the
trackless forests which surrounded it.
Here and there the cheerful glow OF
lamp or fire shone from some incur
tained window, most brightly from the
windows of the stores and saloons
that occupied the center Of the town,
whence issued also fitful sounds Of
talk and laughter. Otherwise the dark
ness was complete.
On the outskirts Of the town, just at
the foot of a steep hill, stood a cot
tage somewhat more pretentiously
built than the others, and surrounded
by something Of a lawn, laid out with
flower beds and ~shrubbery, now al
most buried in deep drifts Of snow.
From one window Of this cottage, too,
q most heartsome glow streamed out
over the sno from a lamp placed, as
could be seen, with loving intent upon
the window ledge, and out Of the dark
ness there emerged the figure OF a
q man, making his way up the foot
path toward the house, his feet ring
ing sharply against the hard-trodden
snow.
Along one side Of the house-planted
without doubt to break the force Of
the northern gales-extended a grove
of pines and fire, looking now, in the
darkness, like the advance guard of a
mighty host with banners slowly
waving, and strange instruments Civ
H. E--4L x-As,I VN .thlxV hav
AS the man passed this spot he slack
ened his steps once or twice, and
seemed to listen for some sound that
mad caught his ear, and again, when
his foot was already on the lower step
Of the fight leading TO the door, he
stopped suddenly, his face turned to-
ward the sombre wall Of trees.
The light of the lamp illumined the
slender trunks and lower boughs OF
the foremost trees, leaving their tops
wrapped in utter darkness. IL also
threw into strong relief the powerful
figure of the man and projected his
shadow =, huge, waverlng and gro
tesque, across the Intervening space.
For an instant another shadow seemed
20 start forward from the mysterious
recesses of the pines as il to meet this
one, only to fall back n be gathered
into the blackness beyond.
The man shrugged his broad shout
ders, and, turning, entered the house.
A fair, slender woman rose from her
seat by the open fire and went to him.
"Oh, jamie" she said, here you are
at last! I'm so glad. | was so afraid
something had happened"
The man threw off his heavy Goa
with a g~ood-humored laugh.
Were you afraid l might blow
away?" he asked, strengthening his
large figure. why are you always
imagining vain things, like a foolish
little wife? I'm big enough to take
care Of myself, eh, lassie?"
The little wife answered with a
smile Of loving admiration.
Come" she said, supper has been
ready q long time and Bah asleep his
half hour"
She took the lamp from the window
and set it on the table, where is shone
full on her husbands face. 1t was a
fine, thoroughly English face, with
high forhead, brilliant blue eyes and
thick curling hair and beard of a
bright golden brown. A handsome
face and a strong one but for a
womanish fullness of the ruddy lips
and a Slight lack of firmness about the
chin. which was concealed, however,
by the luxuriant beard. 1t was a face
which could and h%abitually did radiate
amiability, good cheer and intelligence,
gence, but which had a way of settling
at times into stern and melancholy
lines, curiously belying his assured
carriage and the sonorous ring of his
ready laugh.
Very good to look at was James
Dixon, as his tOwnsmen unanimously
admitted, in spite of his English birth,
a good citizen. a shrewd politician, a
generous neighbOr, and, at times. a
little reticent and distracted, a COM
panionabl bic fellow altogether.
Even now, as he sat at his own table,