Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-01-16

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 a 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
roughened hand on her shoulder.
whats the matter, Sarah?' he said
softly.
There was a 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
his hand.
ITS everything" she said, "every-
thing! Why did we ever come here, to
such wretchedness as this?"
J He did not attempt another caress,
except with his anxious eyes, and her
face was turned away from them, hid
den in her hands.
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
patience and WEAKNESS of it.
In just few minutes he was back
at her side.
"Sarah," he said rather anxiously,
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 looking. What do you say to
bringing them in?'
"Oh, John, how can we, when it's so
hard to keep up as it is? But go ask
them in. If we can make it little
easier for them, we ought to, l sup
pose."
You come with me-" coaxed John.
"Go get your hat, and We'll ask them
together"
She gave slight, protesting laugh,
but went, nevertheless, clinging to his
arm and almost resting her face some
times on his shoulder.
They were very near the travellers
now. The tired horses, with detected,
down bent heads, were snatching what
little rest they could. In the covered
wagon sat the man and woman-such
a hollow checked large eyed man and
such little slip of a wife The hot
wind tapped the canvas cover and sent
swirls of dust over the two occupants
and their scanty possessions.
Some of the self pity that had dark
ened Sarahs face all the morning faded
out of it and was replaced by a purer,
nobler look.
you must be tired out" Sarah be-
gan, without preamble. "We want you
to come up to the house for little rest,
and to have dinner with us. Won't
you?"
A pleased smile breaking over the
young wlfe's face seemed almost to
fade out the little worried line between
the dark eyes. An answering gleam
4
but they both protested family. They
couldn't give so much trouble. 1t would
not be right.
you come right alongw said John,
with kindly authority. 1--WE want you,
SO don't make any fuss about 1t. Well
take the horses into my barn. Let 'em
try my feed and good bucket of my
well water"
The two went off together, Sarah and
the little wife beating their way back
to the sod house. A look of cheer and
comfort seemed to be In its brown
walls now. "How good 1t will seem to
rest in n house!'' said the little wife,
with 4 happy seh
"Wouldn't you like to lie down lit
tie while till dinner is ready" said
Sarah. "Come right into my room, and
just feel that you are at home" A pro-
tecting klndliness had sprung up in her
heart for this little creature with the
appealing eyes. you must be so hot
and uncomfortable! There's cold water
in that pitcher, and I'll bring you some
WdtHi. 4NO, IL 1911 DIl VI tTuuDlc.
Then you must rest until dinner"
Unpleasant thoughts were far away
as Sarah prepared the simple dinner,
trying to make 1t as attractive as possi-
BILE. She would get out some of her
wedding china. Why not? John would
enjoy a bright spot in the day for the
strangers. She even picked bunch
of astralagus, making a centerpiece of
the white, furry leaves. A sprlg of
wild geranium was laid at each plate.
! There were CHEEKY faces around the
table, and Sarah's was not less bright
than the faces of 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 well as
the outward comfort had wrought the
change and in some way made 1t easier
to remember in whose larger protecting
care they were and would still be when