Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1901-02-15

bit their story came out. The man told
how he had been carpenter and build
er in Iowa, what happy little home 1t
had been, and why they were flying
now to the untried world of Colorado,
that Mecca for consumptives. The
gaunt man and the young wife avoided
the dread word. They said lns cad,
people with any sort of lung trou-
ble''
As they went back to the sitting-room
John and Sarah talked cheerily of the
prospective home in Colorado and
brought out book of views of the
wonderful scenery. The gaunt man and
his little wife bent over them with
keen interest. 1T will be a great move
for us, he said. 1T seemed to be the
only thing for us to do, and I'm glad
we're so near there. feel more heart
ened up to-day than any time since we
started. We won't forget your kind
ness, can tell YOU"
"Oh, pshaw!' said John, and Don't
speak of IT." said Sarah in breath.
ITS been so pleasant for us to have
your
1t was necessary to take up the jour
ney again. The two men went out to
the barn together.
The eyes of the little wife sought Sa-
rah's. You have been so good" she
said. almost IN a whisper, so good to
take us in. This awful dust and the
heat--I wouldn't have minded them so
much for myself, but 1t has.been so bad
for him. 1t makes the cough worse,
and that always frightens me. All these
days that we have been ON the way
have been longing so to reach Colorado.
have felt as If couldn't wait, when
the waiting must mean everything 10
him, and 1t has been so strange-all
this journey-to keep cheerful before
him! That Is always very hard-don't
you think so-when your LIFE is all
wrapped up In somebody else's, to keep
that one from feeling how you suffer!
And of course, If they knew, that
would make 1t all so much worse"
How the poor young thing was emp
tying her heart out! 1t was as IL all
the grief and anxiety of the days in
the covered wagon, rolling over the
! brown plains, had burst their bounds
and must pour themselves out TO this
listener.
Il wanted you to know" the excited
; little voice ran on, "how kind you have
been-what comfort 1t has been to
me! Don't you see how much less tired
a a
! so much; not near! You have cAeeled
us up, too. 1t has been so strange-all
this journey-every day taking us far
ther away from home. and the trying
to choke down the homesickness-
and" She broke off short, with
gratitude and tears shining in her eyes.
There was just time for Sarah to
take the little brown hand In hers and
press 1t close when the two men came
back.
, The man with STOPPING shoulders and
the flush on either cheek went up close
to the little woman with bright. eager
eyes.
:, "Well, little woman, are you most
!, readyT' he said, patting her shoulder.
you've had a fine rest, haven't your
!, He coughed sharply as he spoke, but
!, she smiled up at him brightly that he
might not know how much more II
racked her chest than his
> You'd better get ON your bonnet, lit
|, tie woman he said; Its time we were
), going. l don't know how we're 10
y thank you and your wife, Mr.. Gilbert
for all you've done for US. but We feel
\ It, sir; we feel IT,"
K "It wasn't anything at ALL John pro
d tested. 1T has done us good TO have
n you here"
o Sarah and the little young wife went
3 into the tiny bedroom together. Tie
wind had stopped its madden.ng song
T. outside. and the ar was Gear again
a from its burden of dust The furniture
d would have to be busted for the third
D. time that day, but the thought brought
.r no scowl to her forehead now. The lit
,e tie traveller pinned on the rusty hat
II and turned to hold out both hands i'm
n pulslvely to Sarah. "Thank you again.
,e she said, and then In a whisper: ''Col
q. orado is a wonderful place. isn't It
Haven't you heard about tie way peo
" pie get cured thcre-people just as bat
r or as George or worsel You feel sur
4. it'll do him good. don't your
sr She searched Sarab's face as II Il
ID read her fate there. 1t was hard I,
,e meet the glrlish eyes.
h 1--WE never been farther west thar
,f this myself" she said, "but every on
Of says it's a wonderful clIma.e In Col
e. orado for people with trouble with thei
,e lungs. I'm so glad you're going there
ht and when les grown well and stronI
you'll be coming back this way TO Sc