The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-11-30

Sarans. 4ou nave been so goou," sne
SAID, almost in a whisper, $50 good to
take us in. This awful dust and the
heat wouldn't have minded them so
much for myself, but it has been so bad
Tor him. 1t makes the cough worse, and
that always frightens me All these
days that we have been on the way |
have been longing so to reach Colorado.
l have felt as if l couldn't wait. when
the waiting must mean everything TO
him, and it has been so hard, so almost
impossible, to keep cheerful before him!
That is always very hard-don't you
think so-when your life is all wrapped
up in somebody else's, to keep that one
from feeling how you suffer? And of
course, if they knew, that would make it
Rll so much worse
Low the poor young thing was empty
ing her heart out, 1t was as if all the
grief and anxiety of the days in the COW
cred wagon rolling over the brown plains,
had burst their bounds and must pour
themselves out TO this listener
Il wanted you to know" the excited
little voice ran on, how kind YOU have
been-what comfort it has been to me!
Don't You see how much less tired he
looks? And he hasn't coughed near so
much; not near You have checred us
up too. 1t has been SO strange-all this
jouney-evcry day taking us farther
away from home, and the trying to choke
down the homesickncss-and She
broke off short, with gratitude and tears
shining in her eyes.
There was just time for Sarah to take
the little brown hand in hers and press
it close when the two men came back.
The man with STOPPING shoulders and
the flush on either cheek went up close to
the little woman with bright. eager eyes.
We'll, little woman, are You most
ready" he said, patting her shoulder.
you've had a fine rest, haven't you?'
He coughed sharply as he spoke, but
she smiled up at him brightly that lie
might not know how much more it racked
her chest than his.
You'd better get on your bonnet, little
woman lie said; its time we were GO
ing. don't know how were to thank
you and your wife, Mr.. Gilbert, for all
you've done for us, but we feel it. sir; we
feel it,"
1T wasn't anything at all" John pro-
here"
Sarah and the little young wife went
into the tiny bedroom together. The wind
had stopped its maddening song outside,
and the air was clear again from its bur
den of dust. The furniture would have
to he busted for the third time that day,
but the thought brought no Scowl to her
forehead now. The little traveller pinned
on the rusty black hat and turned to hold
out both hands impulsively to Sarah.
Thank You again. She said, and then,
in a whisper: Colorado is wonderful
place, isn't it? Haven't YOU heard about
the way people get cured there-people
just as bad off as George or worse?
You feel sure it'll do him good, don't
you?"
She searched Sarah's face as if to
read her fate there. 1t was hard to
meet the girlish eyes.
I've never been farther west than this
myself" she said, but every one says
it's wonderful climate in Colorado for
people with trouble with their lungs. I'm
so glad you're going there, and when he's
grown well and strong you'll be coming
back this way to see usI'
The delight Of that possible future was
in the young wife's eyes. IF he only
does" she said. IF he only does"
There were hearty hand clasps ex-
changed a few minutes later. Then the
prairie schooner, with its freight of hui
man love and anxieties. rolled slowly
away. The two left behind in the little
sod house stood at the window till the
wagon was seen, dark blot, above the
sharp horizon. With a quick, impulsive
movement, Sarahs hand stole into her
husbands.
How good you arew she said, almost
solemnly. "And while | have you what
do | care about other things?"
Far off in the big wagon little woman
sat with her round cheek pressed against
a shabby coat sleeve, and the cry of her
heart was like that of Sarah. What
are other things" she was whispering,
while | have you, ?'-Facts.