The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-08
WHATTHE WIND SAID

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the fourth was an open space by oourtesJ
titled "the yard" II was but bare patel
Of black earth, so dry that II was cracked
and assured In geometric design. The
low stable was opposite the house, and be-
tween them stood farm wagon and oul.
tiyator, under which few chickens hud.
died, trying to find shelter from the sweep
of the wind.
woman stood In the door of the house,
looking at distant tendril of smoke that
trailed in the sky-the smoke Of the east
bound passenger train. She was young
and rather pretty, but her red hair was
twisted into hard, defiant little knot, her
mouth dropped at the corner and her eyes
were heavy and brooding. She listened
to the harsh breaking of the corn and her
face grew set and intent.
Rick had no right to bring me TO such
aplace," she thought, forgetting how will
ingly she had come "He will be late to-
night, but will make up the fire and
have the supper ready" As she turned to
go In she glanced down the wagon track
that led out through the corn to the main
road. She could see the shiny top of
buggy and in another moment q sorrel
horse driven by man in light overcoat.
Probably the real estate agent coming to
see Rick about the mortgage.
The man drove into the yard, tied his
horse to tho wheel Of the wagon and came
toward the Ase. "Don't you know me,
KatsP' he called loudly, to be heard above
the wind.
why, George Gilbert, is 1t your" she
exclaimed. She held out her hand. GLOW
did you ever happen to get herep Come
right into the house. Kicks gone to town
for COAL
The man followed her into the main
room of the house, which served the double
purpose of parlor and Kitchen In one cor
ner stood the stove; above 1t long shelf
covered with neatly scalloped papers, on
which stood the lamps and tlnwaro. A
safe with perforated tin doors was in an
other corner. A bit of ingram carpet, q
rocking chair and round table with red
cover made tho parlor.
lyon see. I'm travelling for grocery
house" the man said, sitting down, land
l mako Houston now, and your folks said
l must be sure and come out and sec you
How are you doing?"
Doing" Kate cried, scornfully looking
around the room. Cant you see? Max
ing just enough to keep soul and body to-
gether-corn IA cents and we re nine miles
from market"
why don't you como back homer" no
asked, leaning forward in his chair and
noticing how much Kate had aged since
she came west
70 ip1y re +. lppi
l don't think we've got money enough to
take one of us, lot alone both. Just long
to go-sometimes it seems like I'd go wild
staying here A man can get along bot
ter n woman"
Are you comingP' he asked.
She stood u moment Strengthening the
cover on the table. Eyes, III CO." she
said deCisivcly. There are few things
must take, but can be ready in half an
hour"
cts $780," George called.
She laid her hat and cloak on the bed.
"I'm glad baked the bread and dried ap-
pie pies this morning" she thought; "men
are so helpless about homework. l must
leave some word of where I'm gone. l
guess he has tried to be good to me, but he
has no right to keep me here
She found sheet of the thin blue lined
paper on which she had so often written
to her folks. She sat down on the bed
with the ink bottle on chair near by.
Dear Rick" she wrote, then hastily
crossed 1t out and began "Rick" Then
sho was motlonless for a time, her eyes
fixed on the ceiling. At last she wrote
George Gilbert is here and is going to
lend me money to 60 home on. l cannot
stand it here any longer. hope you will
forgive me, for know you have tried to
be good to mo and"-
She threw down her pen and ran into
the kitchen. George stood in the doorway,
smoking and looking down the road.
Ready" he asked without turning.
"Oh, l can't go!" she cried huskily. II
can't eo He has done his best. 1t would
be wicked when he has worked so hard.
Poor Rick p She sat down and covered
her face with her hands.
IAN right" George answered. II was
willing to take you, but if you think you'd |
better not, that's all right don't want
to interfere, as l said before"
She watched him out Of sight. Then she |
went into the house and laid her clothing |
back in the trunk. Her letter lay on the
floor She picked it up and threw it into |
the fire, as if it had been something un-
clean She watched it blaze and turn to |
u white ghost, which she crumbled with |
the poker. When the house had takon on |
its ordinary look, she put the teakottlo on |
the stove and set the table for supper. Az |
she cut one Of her pics she smiled. She |
was to eat them, after all.
Tho wind had gone with the sun, and it |
was dusk when she heard the sound Of
wheels. She took the lantern from tho |
high shelf, lit it and set out for the barn
Is that you, Rick" she called.
Kate held the lantern while her husband
and fed his horses Then they
walked together to the house. Through
the open door u block of light fell on the
ground and within tho rcd tablceloth and
white dishes shOne pleasant and cheerful
1--WE got some good news, sis, Rick
said across the table az he helped himself
to third cut Of pie. "Old man Shutz
wants to buy this farm. Suys he don't
like the way my land gouges out the cor
ner Of his section. He will take I'D the
mortgage and give me 5000 clear 1t amt
much, but We can go back home and be-
gin over again-begin over again in
country where man gets u decent living
for his sweat and labor"
Kate laid her head on the table and be-
gan to cry.
why, sis, amt you ticklodS" he asked.
II did it because l thought this was no
place for you"
II am awful pleased" she answered,
'but l was SO tired thought mebbe you
didn't care.
In the night the wind came up and sos
the cornstalks creaking and rustling with
u thousand whispers, but they said to
Kate, Years fly, years fy-goodby, good
by" Now the whisper Of the wind was
sweet to her as she lay listening. Years
flV VQ,rs ily.-trIblbv f,n,fII,y |