The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-25
WHATTHEWINDS WIZ /. 4 TIL SAID

the fourth was an open space by courtesy
titled "thc yard" 1t was but bare patch
of black earth, SO dry that it.was cracked
and assured in a geometric design. Tho
low stable was opposite the house, and be-
tween them stood farm wagon and cul.
tiyator, under which a few chickens hud-
died, trying to find shelter from the sweep
Df the wind.
A woman stood In the door of the house,
looking at distant tendril of smoke that
trailed in the sky-the smoke of the enst
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 creaking of the corn and her
face grew set and intent.
"Rick had no right to bring me to such
q place." she thought, forgetting how will
ingly she had come ''Ho will be late to.
night, but will make up the fire and
have the supper ready" AS she turned to
90 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 sorrel
horse driven by man in a light overcoat.
Probably the real estate agent coming to
see Rick about the mortgage.
The man drove into the yard. tied his
horse to the wheel Of the wagon and came
toward the house. Don't you know me,
Katep" he called loudly, to be heard above
the wind.
"Why, George Gilbert, is 1t your" she
exclaimed. She held out her hand How
did you ever happen to get here? Come
right into tho house. Rick's 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 tinware. A
safe with perforated tin doors was in an.
other corner. A bit of ingram carpet, a
rocking chair and round table with "a red
cover mado the parlor
"You see I'm travelling for grocery
house." the man said, sitting down, land
make Houston now, and your folks said
must be sure and come out and see you.
How are you doiDg?"
"Doing!" Kate cried, scornfully looking
around the room. Cant you seep 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 homef" he
asked, leaning forward In his chair and
noticing how much Kate had aged since
she came west.
"Dick never seems to think of It; besides,
don't think we've got money enough to
take one of us, let alone both. just long
to go-sometimes it seems like I'd 60 wild
staying here. a man can get along bet
teri woman"
"Are you comingp" he asked.
She stood moment Strengthening the
cover on the table. "Yes. I'll Co." she
said decisively. "There are few things
must take, but can be ready in half ad
hour"
"It's 4 4:30," George called.
She laid her hat and cloak on the bed
Elm glad baked the bread and dried ap:
pie pies this morning." she thought; linen
are SO helpless about housework. must
leave some word Of where I'm gone.
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 80 often written
to her folks She sat down on the bed
with the ink bottle on a chair near by.
Dear Rick" she wrote, then hastily
crossed it out and began Rick" Then
she was motionless for time, her eyes
fixed on the ceiling. At last she wrote
George Gilbert is here and is going to
lend me money to go home on. cannot
stand it here any longer. hope you will
forgive me, for know you have tried to
be good to me 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, can't goi" she cried huskily. 81
can't gol He has done his best. 1t would
be wicked when he has worked so hard.
Poor Rickr' She sat down and covered
her face with her hands.
"All 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 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 II it had been something un'
clean. She watched it blaze and turn to
q white ghost, which she crumbled with
the poker. When the house had taken on
its ordinary look, she put the teakettle on
the stove and set the table for supper. As
she cut one Of her pies she smiled. She
was to eat them, after all.
The wind had gone with the sun, and 1t
was dusk when she heard the sound of
wheels. She took the lantern from the
high shelf. lit it and set out for the barn.
els that you, Rick?" she called.
Kate held the lantern while her husband
unhitched and fed his horses. Then they
walked together to the house. Through
the open door block of light fell on the
ground and within the red tablecloth and
white dishes shone pleasant and cheerful.
eve got some good news, sis, Rick
said across the table as he helped himself
to a third cut of pie. "Old man Shutz
wants to buy this farm. Says he don't
like the way my land gouges out the cor.
ner Of his section. He will take up the
mortgage and give me 5000 clear 1t ain't
much, but we can 60 back home and be.
gin over again-begin over again In %
country where man gets decent living
for his sweat and labor. T"
Kate laid her head on the table and be
gan to cry.
"Why sis mint YOU tickledp" he asked