The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-09-13

Sarah took the letter, knowing tina
1t sealed the doom of the ranch.
Her uncle was willing to advanc'
money to bring them home, and ad
vised them to sell the ranch if pos
sibie and start at once. He woult
try to find some employment for Ton
and Bart, and he would let Sarsl
keep house for him.
Sarah tried to control her trem
bling lips.
Boys" she said, aren't you will
ing to stay out here till next spring;
We can borrow enough from Uncle
Seth to keep us going"
Next year will be as dry as this,
Bart interrupted.
Perhaps not; let's try it."
mo; I've had enough"
Sarah rose with q sigh and at once
prepared to drive to town and attend
to all necessary business. She went
directly to the Office of David judi
son, from whom she had purchased the
ranch. and proposed to him that he
should buy it back.
why. what's the matter?" he
asked.
I'VE can't live there without water.
In all our correspondents you did not
mention the liability that the creek
would go dry. You may have the
place back, with all the improve
ments, for what we paid YOU"
"A bargains a bargain, Miss
Morse" said Judson, "and 1 don't
know as want the ranch back"
Sarah opened the door and then
turned. :
mr.. Judson," she said, IL truly
believe that to induce people to leave
their old homes and come to d
strange country under false hopes is
one of the cruelest crimes in the
world"
When the girl reached home she
found the boys taking down the few
pictures and packing the books.
Il guess we can get on by next
Wednesday," Bart said.
On Tuesday evening all their
things were in readiness to be taken
to the station. As the east-bound
train left at night, all of Wednesday
could be devoted to the moving.
Now, at sunset, Tom was taking q
last ride on his horse up and down
in front of the house. Sarah and
Bart sat ON the doorstep, watching
him silently. After awhile Bart laid
his hand on Sarah's.
IF only it had proved a success!r
he said.
The girl sprang up without reply.
ng. Her heart was full, and she
walked quickly away from the ranch,
Wishing to be alone. AS she moved
'oward rise of uncultivated land.
The saw in the distance two or three
lntelopes. OF late she had frequent.
y seen the animals at sunrise and
She walked on through the sage
rush, with her eyes lowered. and !
uddenly stopped. She had come
pom fertile spot about ten wards
quare; 1t was where the antelopes
ad been. The ground looked dark !
nd moist, and Sarah, stoopinr.
iunged her hands into it. Then she
ropped to her knees and began
agerly to tear up the grass growing
n thef resi- spot. If she dug deep
nough she would come to water!
Suddenly she sprang up and ran
oward the house; the boys saw her
oming.
Bring shovels! Bart. tool Comet"
he cried. breathlessly.
When Tom and Bart arrived AZ the
pot she was on her knees, DIGGING
18th stick; they joined with their
novels in the work.
1t was moonlight when the water
anne trickling fast into the hole.
nd then Sarah lay down ON the
round and wept softly.
The Morses borrowed the monev
hich their uncle had forwarded for
'aveling expenses, and developed
leir fine well. They engaged work
ZEN to dig bitches which would con-
net free supply of water to the
ardens. People who came from the
'wn to see the well congratulated
le owners, and said that the land
I'd increased tenfold in value.
Among others, David Judson drove
1T one day. He said he had recon-
dered Sarah's proposition, and was
ute willing to take the ranch on
n hands on the terms she had Of.
red.
I'VE will not-sell to you at any
ice" Sarah said, coldly.
When the man had gone Bart came
to his sister and put his arm
ound her.
Sarah" he said. "I'm seeing clear.
every day how much we owe Won ,
isn't only that you've led us into ,
. promised land; you've kept M !
ere"
% Bart" she answered, at tru,y !
Isn't for myself so much that
lnted to stay; ii was for you. II
nd gone back. yon--you couldn't
We stood il. And now" i
And now" he murmured. DRAWN. q
deep breath of the dry, health.
ing air. Il shall get well!.- 1
uth's Companion. n