The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-01-17
A ROMANCE OF WORK

The sun hung like a copper disk In an
indigo sky. Heat danced, whirled and
eddied few feet above the alkali dust In
the trail. Over the great patches OF sage
brush the air hung like the breath OF the
dead. Not even the wing OF a bird set II
In motion. The low adobe cabin seemed
to crouch upon the plain az II IL were try
ing to escape notice, fearful lest the heavy
sky would fall upon 1t. Except the few
scattered sheep corrals there was not a
break In the monotonous level Of the
| ground.
One could Judge from the height OF the
sun that the morning was scarcely begun.
But there was no other sign-song of
birds, sparkle Of devon the Upidee ranch
young woman sat In the doorway with
folded hands and detected shoulders. She
was apparently as lifeless as her surround
ings. With her head leaning against the
side of the door she might have made a
pleasing picture were IL not for the hard
lines about her mouth and the hopeless
look In her eyes--eyes which wandered
over the gray sagebrush and fingered
stolidly upon the patch where she had
tried TO keep alive few green plants.
There had been time when the sight
OF these withered plants cooked by the sun
would have made her cry. Not now,
though. Janet Dinscombe wondered
vaguely II she were losing her senses. She
remembered hearing centuries ago-it was
less than a year--that men lost their
minds when they were alone for months
In the desert. She had laughed at the
thought Of that when Roger Dinscombe
had told her OF his love before he came TO
work out living ON sheep ranch. She
would not delay the marriage. 81 am TO
be helpmeet, not hindrance," she said
and urged him TO take her with him. 81
will keep house for you. We will be to-
gether. What more can we askr" she said
pleadingly. With a pretty flushed cheek
up against his Roger Dinscombe bad not
the courage to deny Janet Moore's de-
mand. Her home was not very pleasant,
he argued to himself in justification. And
Janet had her own way.
The first two months Che young wife
went singing about the little cabin, happy
enough. Then her step grew less lively
and hours Of unhappiness followed. Roger
loved her, Of coerse she knew that But
he did not tell her so very often now
Then, too, he was busy all the day, and
she had long forcnoons and afternoons
when there was nothing to do. Her house
was neat as pin. She even had read all
the advertisements In the few papers which
chance brought her. Her nearest neighbor
lived five miles away. When Roger came
home, he was too tired to talk much.
There was a late supper and an early
breakfast-end then silence and desola-
ton.
One day Janet realized sho was losing
her love for her husband. That was when
she had planted the garden. a Few siokiy
plants grew there, which she kept alive by
carrying water from a muddy little stream
When July came, this dried up. And now
her plants were dead. She felt choked as
she looked mt them, but the tears did not
come to her eyes.
Roger Dinscombe noticed tho shadow
which had settled upon his wife's face.
Blaming himself he grew irritable and
moody. Instead of love making him ten
der 10 forced him to be distant. Often now
husband and wife avoided looking into
each others eyes. That very morning he
had spoken to Janet sharply as he went
away. The words fell back on his own
heart like lash. "What a brute am"
he muttered, and half turned to come
back. But the set look on Janot's face
came up before him and he spurred on the
pony he was riding.
"Am going made" Janet repeated to
herself until the sun had crcpt TO where
she sat. II won't go mad. I am girl
of common sense. I used to hate the work
at home Of cooking for houseful of step
brothers and sisters, mending and darn
ing, with constant whining and fretting
from stepmother who was as strong as 1
am. Now work would be the most blessed
boon on earth. What shall doY' The
little sitting room and kitchen were spot
less. She could not do anything there.
"Tll put my trunk In ORDER" she
thought. Not ribbon was out of place
She took up bundle OF patches idly
"Why not make quilts" The idea pleased
her as she looked over tho patches. That
bit OF lilac print was her first grown up
gown" and this blue and white checked
calico was the dress she had on the first
time she met Roger She remembered now
that she had a bunch Of wild crab apple
blossoms In her belt when she ran into
Mrs. Dinscombes on an errand and was
told. Janet, this Is my son Roger, who
has Just como home from the west"
The young Mrs. Dinscombe's face soft ]
ened as she seemed TO live IL over again
and TO see honest blue eyes looking at her,
saying, II approve Of YOU" Piece after |
piece was unfolded. This white null was
her wedding dress. Smoothing and pet. |
ting 10 with fingers which would get |
jerky, Janet sat for long time. Then the |
tears came--tears which seemed to melt |
the iron band around her heart. When she |
where she was, it was almost |
supper Time and she jumped up with
little start. Poor Roger she murmured
What must you think of mef' She cooked |
the best that her kitchen afforded. and in /
o half ashamed way slipped INTO the blue
and white shocked dress which she had /
kept. II was a little out of style; but,
then, fashions do not cut much Of figure /
In a Utah desert. 81 wonder II ne will |
noticer' she said 30 herself. She hoped he
would, and yet the thought frightened her.
Roger stopped a moment as he came up |
to tie door and saw her with a look on
her face that sent the blood 20 his heart
with thud. He paled little, and then.
gathering her mp In his arms, carried her /
TO the rocking chair, dropped TO the floor
and buried his face In her lap, sobbing as
n his heart would break. Roger, Roger"
was all she could say. Finally he grew /
calm, and then no said 81 couldn't stand
IL any longer, and made up my mind to- |
day TO send you away where you would be
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