The suburban citizen., 1900-07-14

hNAbeo AAAS bAeAAo AHAoNh NANNN4 -
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
dimmed with the dust of the plains.
In the small, square sitting room, al
though the windows were tightly
shut, a 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
Gfberts lips were tightly compressed
and there was sad look in her e., es.
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
mir.
Some one came in with n 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
Foughened hand on her shoulder.
whats the matter, HesterP he
said, softly.
There was a smothered WEAKNESS
IN the tones, but her ears seemed deaf
Mat morning to anything but the
winds piercing voice Half uncon-
Fciously she drew a little away from
ais hand. :
IT'S everything" she said, every
Fhing! Why did we ever come here, to
tuch wretchedness as this?'
He did not attempt another caress,
except. With his anxious blue eyes,
and her face was turned away from
llem, hidden in her hands.
He slipped something back into his
pocket. Hester did not see the mo-
lion. 1t was only an Indian arrow
head that he had found half buried
In the sod, and had unearthed, think
Eng it would make a pretty addition
20 her cabinet of curioslties. She was
50 tired that now she would not care
Tor it; some other time, he thought.
Her nerves were all quivering; it
was always so when the south wind
blew.
"Eester," he began again, gently,
rive 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 cut here. l know how hard it's
been, with the homesickness and ALL
and"
NO" she interrupted, 81 can wait
Wen go together later, just as we
planned all along. You couldn't man
age it, John. Why, how could you"
"Oh, I'll get along some way-that'n
be all right. I've been thinking l
could spare a little of the stock, after
all You know Brown would be glad
10 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
tever consent to such a sacrifice. They
Avould wait till they could take the
bong-planned trip together, or not go
Rt 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 it would
eOst the one dearest to her.
"We'n sec" she said briefly.
"There's so much to think over first
But it's good Of you, John, to plan 1t
So"
She would have called after him and
clung to him, II she could have seen
the look on his face as he went out
NIL the WEAKNESS Of it, and the pa
thence and the brave anticipation of
the loneliness to come.
In just few minutes he was back
at her side.
Hester" he said, rather anxlously,
"what would you say to letting two
people come in for little rest. They've
stopped the wagon just a little way
from here. She seems childish
young thing, and he looks as If the
world had been too much for him
he's so thin and sickly-loOkng. What
do you say to bringing them in?"
"Oh John, how can we, when it's
so hard to keep us as il is?"
He Looks real sick and worm re
peated her husband; and that brought
the response he knew it would.
go ask them, then" said Hester
"If we can make it 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 a slight protesting laugh
but went, nevertheless, clinging tc
his arm, and almost restir9 her face
sometimes on his SHOULDER.
What q countryw she said. hal
under her breath. "Oust dust, ey
erywhere! You brea lhc II and tastt
st and get your eyes blinded by III!
They were very near the travellers
DOW. The tired horses, with dciccteC