The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-07-18
IN THE PRAIRIE COUNTRY.
: T was n dry, sitting day on the dc
BY Bertha Gerneaux Woods.

| little rest they could. In the covered
wagon sat the man and woman-such
n hollow-cheeked, large-eyed man, and
such n little slip of wife! The hot
wind tapped the canvas cover, and
sent swirls of dust over the two oc-
cupants and their scanty possessions.
That they We're scanty indeed, Hester
could not help seeing I'm the briefest
| glance. A dry. attempting lunch the
wife was taking from basket. Some
of the self-plty that had darkened
| Hester's face all the morning faded
out of It, and was replaced by purer,
nobler look.
"You ask them, John" she said,
softly.
They'll like It better from you"
whispered her husband.
The face OF the little wife in the
big wagon frightened visibly at her
approach.
"You must be tired out" Hester be-
| gan, without preamble. 1--WE want
you to come up to the house for a
little rest and to have dinner with us.
Won't you?"
A pleased smile breaking over the
young face seemed almost to fade out
the little worried line between the
| dark eyes. An answering CLEAN stole
| over the worn face at her side. but
| they both protested family. They
couldn't give so much trouble; 1t
would not be right.
"You come right along" said John,
with kindly authority. 1--WE want you,
so don't make any fuss about it.
Well take the horses into my barn;
let 'em try my feed and good bucket
| of my well-water."
. The two men went off together,
Hester and the little wife beating their
way back to the sod house. A look
Of cheer and comfort seemed to be
| in its brown walls now. "How good
| It will seem to rest in a housew said
the little wife. with happy sigh.
wouldn't you like to lie down n
little while till dinner is ready?" said
Hester. Come right into my room,
and just feel that you are at home"
| A protecting kindliness had sprung up
| I'm her heart for this little creature
with the appealing eyes. you must
| be so hot and uncomfortable! There's
cold water in that pitcher, and I'll
bring you some warm. No, It isn't
bit of trouble. Then you must just
rest until dinner"
Unpleasant thoughts were far away
as Hester prepared the simple dinner,
| trying to make 1t as attractive as pos
sible. She would get out some of her
wedding china-why not? John would
enjoy it, and 1t might make bright
! spot In the day for the strangers. She
| even picked a bunch OF astragalus,
| making a centrepiece of the white,
furry leaves. A sprig of wild geran-
lam was laid at each plate.
There were CHEEKY faces around the
table, and Hester's face was not less
bright than the others.
The gaunt stranger sat little more
erect now,a and his face, latter even this
brief rest. seemed less sharply out
lined. The warm, human kindness
as well as the outward comfort had
wrought the change, and in some way
made II easier to remember in Whose
larger protecting care they We're, and
| would still be when rolling over the
brown prairie. Bit by bit their story
came out The man told how he had
been carpenter and builder in Iowa
what a happy little home it had been,
and why they We're flying now to the
untr1ed world Of Colorado, that Mecca
for consumptives. The gaunt man
and the young wife avoided the dread
ed word; they said, instead. people
with any sort Of lung trouble"
Hester's dish of canned wild plums
seemed to lleet with special favor
from the gaunt man. He accepted the
pressing offer of third saucerful with
an apologize laugh, and Hester men,
tally schemed to convey a generous
supply to the canvas-covered wagon.
II don't know when George has en-
joyed anything So" said the little
wife. "Everything's SO good! And
oh, how nice it feels to be rested!
Travelling will be so much easier
noww
They went back to the sitting room
John and Hester talked cheerily of the
prospective home in Colorado, and
brought out book of views of the
! wonderful scenery. The gaunt man
and his little wife bent over them witt
keen interest. "It'll be a great move
for u.s." he said ''It seemed to be
the only thing for us to do, and I'm
glad were so near there. feel more
heartened up to-day than any time
since we started. We won't forge,
your kindness, can tell you"
'Oh, pshaww said John, and Don
. speak of IL" said Hester, in a breath
, Its been SO pleasant for us to hav,
you"
1t was necessary to take up the jour
D ney again. The two men went ou
E to the barn together.
The eyes of the little wife sough
( Hester's. "YOu have been SO good,
: she said, almost in a whisper, $50 goo,
3 to take us In! This awful dust an,
. the heat l wouldn't have minded