Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-06-30
@RSsASsAS ss@,.Ss g - f;
, IN TIE PRAIRIE COUNTRY .
~ Bertha G Ineaux Wo ds.
y -. - - - 9. - 90.

From the Youths companion. by Per
mi>siou.l
Il wss "a dry. sitting day on the
prairie. The south wind blowing
With hot irritating persi~trucy acro>.
rle plains raised clouds of dust that
almost hid the view from the woman
900 the window of thc sod house. She
could see only family the FURNISHED
golden cups OF the prickly pear or
fhe deep crimson of thc pincushion
cactus blossoms breaking the m0not-
ouy % the brown stretch 81 land. The
creamy hills on the Yucca were
dimmed with the dust OF the plains
TIA The small. square sitting room
although the windows were tightly
shut. "a gray coating lay ON the furni-
ture and mantcl on the row of rose
gcraniums and the little pot OF hello
trope in the window. Hester Gilbert
lips were tightly compressed and
there was a sad look in her eyes
. hat south wind was blotting out
trom her view more than the flower
dotted landscape. 10 seemed TO dim
All remembrance % the long days of
perfect weather. when the prairie
seemed an Eden. and strength anal
hope grew large with the fresh
nracln- air.
Some one came in with "A heavy.
Tesry step and stopped "a moment ou
The threshold 10 look az the drooping
hgure Then he approached her with
awkward tenderness. laying his toll
roughcned hand on her shoulder.
h.. q. D.
SAID. softly.
There was a smothered WEAKNESS in
the tones. but her ears seemed deaf
that morning TO anything but Tho
winds piercing voice. Half uncou
sciously she drew little away from
his hand.
Its everything" she said. every
ching Why did we ever come here.
70 such wretchedness as this"
lie did not attempt another caress.
except with his anxious blue eyes and
her face was turned away from them.
hidden Ia her hands
He slipped something back into his
pocket. Hester did not see the mo-
tion. 1t was only an Indian arrow
head that ne had found half buried
in the soil. and had unearfhed. think
ing il would make pretty addition
TO her cabinet of curiOsities. She was
so tired now that she would not care
FOR IL: some other fine. be thought.
Her nerves were all quivering; H. was
always 80 when the south wind blew.
Hester" he began again. gently.
I've been thinking for several days
Il don't know but we ought 20 FIX IL
some way so you can 60 back east for
awhile quite soon-sOoner than we
planned. You've had hard time Of IL
out here. I know how hard it's been
with the homesickness and all. and"
NO" she interrupted. Il can wait.
Wen 90 together later. just as We
planned all along. You couldn't man
age 81. John. Why. how could your
"Oh. IN get along some way
thatTl be all right. I've been think
ing ] could spare a little OF the stock.
after all. You know Brown would bc
glad 10 buy what ! could spare"
lie spoke bravely. and Hester
smiled family up TO him In the
depth 81 her heart she felt sure she
would never consent TO such "a sacrl-
fee. They would wait until they
could take the long planned trip to-
gether. or not go At all. But just
now, with the wind making her
CRATE her teeth together. she did not
protest. She was in the mood 20 en-
JOY the imaginary self-indulgence. re.
gardleas Of what IL would cost the ore
dearest 70 her.
well see" she said, briefly
There's 40 much 90 think over
first. But irs good Of you John, "a