The Opelousas courier., 1901-10-19

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
menotony of the brown stretch Of land.
The creamy bells on the yucca We're
'aImmed with the dust Of the plains.
In the small, square sitting room, al.
though the windows were tightly
shut, q gray coating lay Oh the fur
lniture and mantel. on the row of
rose geraniums and the little pot of
heliotrope in the window. Hester
lGilbert's lips were tightly compressed
and there was q 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 III with q 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
rouShened hand on her shoulder.
whats the matter, IIester?" 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-
aciously she drew a little away from
Lis hand. Aida
"It's everything" she said, "every-
thing! Why did we ever come here, to
such w~retchedness MS 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 1t would make a pretty addition
to her cabinet Of curiosities. She was
30 tired that now she would not care
for 1t; some other time. he thought.
Her nerves were all quivering; 1t
was always SO when the south wind
blew.
"Hester,"" he began again, gently,
"Tve 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 n. hard time of
1t out here. / know how hard it's
been. with the inconsistencies and all,
and"
NO." she interrupted, IT can wait.
Wen go together later, just as we
planned all along. You couldn't man
age II, John. Why, how could you?"
"Oh. I'll get along some way-that'n
be oil right. I've been thinking I
could spare u little of the stock, after
all. You know Brown would be glad
to buy what I could spare"
He spoke brayely, and Hester smiled
faintly up to him. In the depths of
her heart she felt sure she would
V consent to such n sacrifice. They |
would wait till they could take the |
iong-planned trip together, or not 60
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-
diligence, regardless Of what 1t would
cost the one dearest to her.
I'VE see," she said, briefly. |
There's SO much to think over first.
But it's good of you, John, to plan it
So"
She would have called after him and
chung to him, IL she could have seen
look on his face as he went out
the WEAKNESS of 1t, and the pa
tience and the brave anticipation of
the loneliness to come.
In just a few minutes he was back
ut her side.
Hester" he said, rather a~nxiously.
what would you say to letting two
people come i'm for a little rest. Thev'ye
stopped the wagon just a little way
from here. She seems a childish
young thing, and he looks as IL the
world had been too much for him
he's 50 thin and sickly-looking. What
You say to bringing them in?'
"Oh, John, how can we, when it's
30 hard to keep us as it is?"
lie looks real sick and worm. re-
.eated her husband; and that brought
the response he knew 1t would.
GO ask them, them" said Hester.
IL we can make it easier for them.
We ought to, / suppose
You come with me- coaxcd John. |
get on your hat, and wen ask
hem together"
she gave a slight protesting laugh,
tut went, nevertheless, clincing TO
ils arm, and almost resting her face
on his shoulder. I,
what a country" she said. half
her breath. "Dust, dust. cy.
'fyWhere! You breathe it aud taste
z anu SGT Your eyes blinded by it,"
1icy were very near the travellers
Tie tired horses, with detected /
lowr-licnt heads, were siiatcbin- what /
ittie rest they could. In tle covered {
wagon sat tils ma and w~oman-such j
ilollow-clicc.eal, larsp-cyed man. aud
fhcl n Htilc slip u n wife. Tile lot 1
Wind fiarpcsl the c;.a~as cover. and |
ent swirls of dust oyer the two oc- I
ul'ants and their scanty possessions. /
q they @.r.. scanfy indeed, Hester
QUIZ iiof heia seeing in file hriefessa e {
lance. y firy, attempting lunch the
fife WAS taaats froH, a basket. Some