The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-07-18

the woman at the window of the sod
house. She could see only family the
FURNISHED golden cups of thepprickly-
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 We're
dimmed with the dust OF the plains.
In the small, square sitting room, al
though the windows were tightly
shut, 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 n 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 n heavy,
weary step, and stopped n moment on
the threshold to look at the dropping
figure. Then he approached her with
awkward tenderness, laying his toll
roughened 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 little away from
Lis hand. -
ITS everything" she said, "every-
thing! Why did we ever come here, to
such wretchedness as this?"
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 pretty addition
to her cabinet of curiosites. She was
so tired that now she would not care
for It; some other time, he thought.
Her nerves were all quivering; II
was always so 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
II some way so you can go back East
for while quite soon-sooner than we
planned. You've had hard time of
II out here. l know how hard it's
been, with the homesickness and all,
a1d--..a E:.Nt, 3.4.1 .:>,s Il 4 :. 49,
mo" she interrupted, II can wait.
Wen go together later, just rs we
planned all along. You couldn't man.
age 1t, John. Why, how could you?"
"Oh, I'll get along some way-that'll
be all right. I've been thinking
could spare a little of the stock, after
all. You know Brown would be glad
to buy what l 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 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-
dulgence, regardless of what 1t would
cost the one dearest to her.
"We'n see," she said, briefly.
"There's so much to think over first
But It's good of you, John, to plan II
So"
She would have called after him and
clung to him, If 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 a few minutes he was back
at her side.
Hester" he said, rather anxiously
what would you say to letting two
people come in for little rest. They've
stopped the wagon just little way
from here. She seems a childish
young thing. and he looks as If the
world had been too much for him
he's so thin and sickly-looking. Wha
do you say to bringing them imp
"Oh, John, how can we, when it,
40 hard to keep us as 1t is?"
~He looks real sick and worm" re
peated her husband; and that brough
the response he knew it would.
go ask them, then" said Hester
~If we can make 1t easier for them
We ought to, suppose"
"You come with me-" coaxed John
go get on your hat, and Wen asl
them together"
She gave slight protesting laugh
but went, nevertheless, clinging t
his arm, and almost resting her fac
sometimes on his shoulder.
What country!" she said. hal
under her breath. "Dust. dust, ey
erywhere! You breathe 1t and tast
1t and get your eyes blinded by It!
They were very near the traveller
now. The tired horses. with dejecte