Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1901-02-15
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& AN INCIDENT OF Y
q PRAIRIE LIFE. "
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- tightly compressed, and there was
a sad look in her eyes. The dust
was blotting out from her view more
than the fiower-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 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, SarahY' he said
softly.
There was 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 7"
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 mis- face as he went out-all the
patience and WEAKNESS of 1t.
| In just a 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 little way
from here. She seems a 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 int"
"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 1t little
easier for them, we ought to, sup
pose"
"You come with me-" coaxed John.
go get your hat. and we'll ask them
together"
She gave a 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
4 little rest they could. In the covered
wagon sat the man and woman-sucf
a hollow checked. large eyed man and
such little slip of wife! The hot
wind tapped the canvas cover and sem
swirls of dust over the two occupants
and their scanty possessions.
Some of the self pity that had dark
ened Sarah's face all the morning faded
out of it and was replaced by purer
nobler look.
"You must be tired out" Sarah be
gan, without preamble. I'VE want yor
to come up to the house for little rest
and to have dinner with us. Won
your"
A pleased smile breaking over the
young wlfe's face seemed almost t.
4 fade out the little worried line between
the dark eyes. An answering CLEAN
stole over the worn face at her side
but they both protested family. The,
couldn't give so much trouble 1t woult
not be right.
you come right alongw said John
with kindly authority. I'VE want you
so don't make any fuss about 1t. Vel
take the horses into my barn. Let ZEN
try my feed and good bucket of IN!
well water"
The two went of together, Sarah ant
} the little wife beating their way bacl
to the sod house. look OF cheer an,
comfort seemed to be In Its brow
walls now. How good 1t will seem L
rest in housew said the little wife
with happy sigh.
Wouldn't you like to lie down III
tie while till dinner is ready?" sat
Sarah. "Come right into my room, an
,, just feel that you are at home" A pre-
tecting kindliness had sprung up In he
heart for this little creature with tn
appealing eyes. you must be SO he
: and uncomfortable There's cold waite
! In that pitcher, and I'll bring you som
! warm. No, II isn't q bit OF troubl,
Then you must rest until dinner"
Unpleasant thoughts were far ava
as Sarah prepared the simple dinner
trying to make II as attractive as poss
BILE. She would get out some Of he
' wedding china. Why not7 John woul
. enjoy a bright spot in the day for tn
r strangers. She even picked bunc
T OF astralagus, making a centerpiece q
the white. furry leaves. A sprig Z
wild geranium was laid at each plat,
There were CHEEKY faces around II
I table, and Sarah's was not less brigi
than the faces Of the others.