The Opelousas courier., 1900-08-18

dust that almost hid the view from
the woman at the window Of the sod
house. She could see only family the
FURNISHED golden cups Of the prickly-
pear, or the deep crimson of the pin
cushion cactus blossoms, breaking the
monotony Of the brown stretch of land.
The creamy bells on the yucca were
aimmed with the dust Of the plains.
In the small, square sitting room, al
though the windows were tightly
shut, q gray coating lay on the fur
niture and mantel, on the row OF
rose geraniums and the little pot OF
heliotrope in the window. Hester
Gilbert's lips were tightly compressed
and there was a sad look in her eyes.
That south wind was blotting out
from her view more than the flower
dotted landscape. 1t seemed to dim
all remembrance of the long days of
perfect weather, when the prairie
seemed an Eden and strength and hope
grew large with the fresh, bracing
air.
Some one came in with O heavy,
weary step, and stopped a moment on
the threshold to look at the dropping
figure. Then he approached her with
awkward tenderness, laying his toll
r~oughened hand on her shoulder.
whats the matter. Hester?" he
said, softly.
There was n smothered WEAKNESS
In the tones, but her ears seemed deaf
that morning to anything but the
winds piercing voice. Half uncon'
sciously she drew q little away from
Lis hand. 81 sAtaAlA
Its everything" she said, 'every.
thing! Why did we ever come here, to
such wretchedness as thiss"
He did not attempt another caress,
except with his anxious blue eyes,
and her face was turned away from
them, hidden in her hands.
He slipped something back into his
pocket. Hester did not see the mo-
ton. 1t was only an Indian arrow
head that he had found half buried
In the sod, and had unearthed, think
ing it would make q pretty addition
to her cabinet of curiosities. She was
Ok tired that now she would not care
for 1t; some other time, he thought.
Her nerves were all %quivering; 1t
was always Sc when the south wind
blew.
Hester" he began again, gently,
'I've been thinking for several days
Il don't know but we ought to fix
1t some way so you can go back East
for a while quite ~soon-sooner than we
planned. You've had a hard time of
1t out here. / know how hard it's
been, with the inconsistencies and all,
and"
"No," she interrupted. ~ a wait.
Wen so together later, just as we
planned oil along. You couldn't man
age 1t, John. Why, how could your
"Oh, I'll get along some way-that'l
be oil right. I've been thinking I
could spare q little of the stock, after
all. You know Brown would be glad
to buy what I,could spare"
He spoke bravely, and Hester smiled
family up to him. In the depths of
her heart she felt sure she would
never consent to such q sacrifice. They
would wait till they could take the
long-planned trip together, 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 to enjoy the imaginary self-in-
diligence, regardless of what 1t would
cost the one dearest to her.
"We'n see,"- she said. briefly.
There's sc much to think over first.
But it's good of you, John, to plan 1t
So"
She would have called after him and
chung to him, IL she could have seen
the look on his face as he went out
all the WEAKNESS Of 1T, and the pa
thence and the brave anticipation of
the loneliness to come.
In just o few minutes he was back
at her side.
Hester he said, rather anxiously,
what would you say to letting two
people come In for a little rest. They've
stopped the wagon just a little way
from here. rShc seems a childish
young thingtaand he looks MS if the
world had BEEN too much for him
he's so thin and sickly-looking. What
do you say to bringing them in?'
Oh, John, how can we, when IT'S
so hard to keep us rs 1t ISL"
He looks real sick and worn" re-
peated her husband: and that brought
the response he knew 1t would.
Go ask them, thcD,o said Hester.
IF we can make 1t easier for them.
We ought TO, I suppose
You come with me-" coaxed John.
go get, on your hat, and we'll ask
them together"
She gave a slight protesting laugh,
but Went. nevertheless, clinging to
his arm, aud almost resting her face
sometimes on his shoulder.
What n country..' she said, half
Under her breath. "I,ust, dust, er-
erywhcre: Yon breathe it and taste
IL and get yoIir eyes blinded BIZ it,,
They were very near the travellers
now. The tired horses, with detected
down-l'cnt heals, were Switching what
little rest tlley could. In The covered
wagon sat the man and woman-such
Q hoIlow-chcc.Sct!, l~arGe-cycl iuan. aud
such Q little slip d 4 wife. Tile hot
Wind happcsl The c:.nTas cover, and
sent swirls of dust eyer thu two oc-
cupants AMI their fcanty possessions.
tliey WIS.,, scant.y indeed, Hester
could moi ls.a seeing In tlle lriefesaA
gIailet. y dry, attempting lunch the
Wife Wis taa.isg freat a basket. Some