The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-04-13

uOOIWay, smoking anu looking down
the road. "Ready?" he asked, with
out turning.
"Oh, can't go!" she cried huskily.
81 can't go-he has done his best. It
would be wicked when he has worked
SO hard-poor Rick" She sat down
and covered her face with her hands.
"All right" George answered. al
was willing to take you, but il You
think you'd better not, that's all right.
1 don't want to interfere, as said be.
FORE"
81 shouldn't have said what did,"
she sobbed, "but it seems like the
wind has made me half crazy. I'll stay
now, though, il it kills me-"
"WeD, 1 giess I'd better be driving
back to town." her cousin said. If
could help you any by" He FUN.
bled in his pocket and she heard the
rattle of loose change.
mo, George. There is only one
thing you can do for me. Promise
that you will never say word about
this to any living soul. Tell ma that
you found me well and happy-be sure
you remember-wella and happy"
"All right; I'll be mum as an oys.
ter" he answered He was puzzled
but rather relieved to find that sha
was not going with him. he babe her
good.by and drove out into the wheel
track.
She watched him ont of sight, then
she went into the house and LAID her
clothing back in the trunk. Her
letter lay on the floor. She picked il
up and threw it into the fire, Us if il
had been something uncleau. She
watched it blaze and turn to whito
ghost, which she crumbled with the
poker. When the house had taken on
its ordinary look she put the tea kettle
on the stove and set the table for sup.
per. AS she cut one OF her pies she
smiled-she was to eat them after all.
The wind had gone with the sun,
aud it was dusk when she heard the
sound of wheels. She took the lantern
from the high shelf, lit it aud set out
to the barn. IFS that you, Rick 2"
she called.
"Yes-been expecting me long?"
came from the other side of tho team.
cousin George has been here; he
couldn't wait for you. but he left his
regards" she said.
Eyes, i met him the other side OF
Markers. We stopped to talk little
while; said he didn't have time to stay
to supper or all night"
Kate held the lantern while her hus.
band unhitched and fed his horses.
then they walked together to the
house. Through the open door a
block of light fell on the ground and
within the red table cloth and white
dishes shone pleasant and cheerful.
eve got some good news, SIS"
Rick said across the table, as he helped
himself to third cut of spie. "Old
man Schultz wants TO buy this farm;
says he don't like the way my land
gouges out the corner of his section.
He Will take up the mortgage and give
me 5000 clear. 1t amt much, but we
can go back home and begin over
again. Begin over again in country
where man gets decent living for
his sweat and labor"
Kate laid her heal on the table and
began to cry.
"Why, sis, amt you tickled?" he
asked. 81 did it because ] thought
this was no place for you"
81 am awful pleased, " she answered,
"but | was so tired and I thought
mebbe you didn't care"
In the night the wind came up and
set the corn stalks creakiug and rustl-
ing with thousand whispers, but they
said to Katie: "Years fly, years fly
good-by, good-by." Now the whisper
of tho wind was sweet to her as she
lay listening: years fly; years fly
-good-by, good-by. New York Adj
vertiser.