Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-06-30

seen the look on his face as he went
snt--all the WEAKNESS of il. and the
patience and the brave anticipation OF
The loneliness TO come.
In Just few minutes he was back
at her side
Hester he said. rather anNiously.
''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 childish
young thing. and he looks as II the
world had been too much for him
hes SC thin aud sickly- looking. What
do You say 10 bringing them imp"
- John. how can we. when it's so
/ hard 20 keep mp as IL is2"
"lc looks real sick and worn" re-
| peated her husband; and that brought
the response he knew II would.
Go ask them. then" said Hester.
If we can make il a little easier for
| them. we ought 20. l suppose"
you come with me-" coaNCd John
Go get on your hat. and wei ask
them together"
She gave "a slight protesting laugh.
| but went. nevertheless. cliugiug 20 hi.
arm. and almost resting her faee
! sometimes on his shoulder
what a country" she said. half
under her breath. Dust, dust. dust.
everywhere. You breathe II and taste
| IL and get your eyes blinded by IT,"
| They were very near the travellers
now. The tired horses. with detected.
jown-bent heads, were snatchirr
what little rest they could. I'm thc
covered wagon sat 'he man and wcm-
an--suCh hollov-checled. laroc-cyed
man. and such little slip OF wife,
] The hot wind Tapped the canvas
| cover. and sent swirls 90 dust over the
| two occupants and thcir scantv pos
sessions. That they were very scantv.
| indeed. Hester could not help seeing
| in the hriefest glance y dry. uu
! tempting lunch The wife was talfn~
from basket. Some OF the self-pity
that had darkened Testers facc an
he morning faded ont OF e.. and was
replaced by purer. noblcr look
you ask them. john she said.
softly.
"TheyU like II better from you.~
whispered her husband
The face Of the little wife i'm the big
wagon frightened visibly at her APP
proach.
y on must be tired out" Hester be-
gan. without preamble I'VE want Won
go come up 10 the house for "a iittle
rest and TO have dinner with u.s. Won't
vou?"
\ pleased smile breaking over the
! young face seemed almost 20 fade out
che little worried line between the
dark eyes. An answering CLEAN stole
/ h.a
hey both protested family They
couldn't give so much trouble, IL
would not toe tight.
You come right along, said John.
With kindly authority eve Nyantvou.
so don't make any fuss about 10. Wen
take the horses into my barn: lct 'cm
Try nay feed and good bucket OF nay
well water"
The two men went of together Hes
Ter and the little wife beating their
way back 10 the sod house 4 look
~ cheer and comfort seemc4 10 b, in
IT'S brown walls now. How good 30
viii seem TO rest in house." said tho
little wife. with a happy sigh.
Wouldn't YOU like 20 DEE down "a
little while tin dinner IS rcady?~ said
Hester. Come right into my room
and just feel that YOU are az home e."
y protecting hndiincss had sprung up
in her heart for this little creature
with ID" appealing eyes. You must
bee so hot and uncomfortable, There's
cold water in that pitcher and I'm
bring Nou some warm. No. 10 isn't q
bin 81 trouble. Then YOU must just
rest untlI dinner"
Unpleasant thoughts were far away
as Hester prepared the simple dinner.
trying TO make IL as attractive as
possible She would GET out some OF
her We ling china-why not? John
would enjoy IL. and il might make a
bright spot in the day FOR the
strangers. She even picked a bunch
81 astragalus. making a centerpiece OF
the white. furry leaves. \ sprig Of
wild geranium was laid AT each plate.
There were CHEEKY faces around the
table. anu Testers was not less bright
than the others.
The gaunt stranger sat a little more
erect now. and his face. after even this
brief rest. seemed less sharply outlined.
The warm. human kindness as wei
as the outward comfort had wrought
the change. and in some way made ia
easier 10 remember in Whose larger
protecting care they were. and would
stil BE- when rolling over the brown
| prairie. Bit by bit their story came
out The man told how he had been a
carpenter and builder IN Iowa; what a
happy little home IL had been. and why
they were flying now 20 the untried