The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-11
LOTS STRATEGY
By SUSAN BROWN ROBBINS

He took out his jackknife and opened It,
felt. of the edge, then got into the wagon and
knelt down on the seat. Very carefully, and
following the thread in the cloth, he cut
slit two inches long in the back of the seat
He picked at the cotton batting stufhng with
the point OF his knife. Then he let the flap
go back in place, the cotton batting show
ing a little all along the cut; THAT looks
very natural" he muttered.
The next morning Lot spoke to his sister
when Euniee was in another room. Just
as soon as the dew gets off some,, he said.
and she nodded with a look of conlprehen-
sion. Soon after breakfast she carried to
the barn a large covered basket, a demijohn
Of cold tea, a shawl and her sister -in-Iaw,g
sunjbonnet. These Lot helped her stow away
under the back seat.
AT O'Clock Lot came into the house
Sim going to start off with the old covered
wagon in little while,,' he said, "and l. find
there's tear or a cut in the back of the
seat. Do you suppose you could mend il? z 80
Eunice went to- get her workbasket. She
found a. piece of green cloth and pulled some
ravelings from it. then she. went out and
got into the covered wagon and set quietly
and patiently to work
| Lot watched her furtively from the barn.
When he thought she was nearly half through
he began harnessing with s feverish haste.
What il she should get through too soong
She looked around as he backed the horse into
the shafts. 81
"Im not quite through YET, Lot she said
mildly. -
"Dont hurry" he answered. He waited
with the reins in his hand until she had taken
the last stitch; then he jumped in, sat down
beside her and spoke; to>the horse. Eunics
half started to her feet, but he laid his hand
gently on her arm, and she sank back again.
1--WE are going to ride over the farm he
said quietly.
He drove on, talking rapidly about hia
! plans, recalling incidents OF the haymaking
and speaking Of the getting in OF the ensil-
| age.
Eunice was silent, and in spite of his lively
chatter Lot was anxious
In the middle Of the pasture Lot stopped
4 the horse and glanced about. Some of the
COWS were feeding near, and they lifted their
heads to look with big, :inquiring eyes.
! Pretty good looking cattle, call then,
i he said proudly. He paused. His face was
quiet, white and agitated, and he did not dare,
look at his wife.
| SCI always thought an awful lot of Butter-
cup said Eunice in her sweet, gentle voice.
'I liked her looks so well that learned her
to drink and took all the care of her myself = =
| ..Yes,' he said '.I remember, and it was q
good thing that you did take charge OF her.
She's made fine cow His voice grew curt-s
ously husky, and he spoke almost sharply tn
the horse, Get up, Nell.
| AS they went slowly through the pastura
| the COWS one by one dropped their noses to
their feeding again. Eunice gazed about her
eagerly, new light in her face "oh," she
sighed contentedly, sit is a lovely day.
The cart path was very rough, and ths
wagon bounced and pitched along, the over
hanging bushes and young trees brushing
4 against its top and SIDES Eunice laughed like
a child and now and then gave an involuntary
\ little scream. e,...sss.- -:
Lot laughed too. II CUES I'll have to put
my arm around you,'' he said. And he drew
4 her close driving with his free hand
"Isn't this fun?' she laughed. "And it
! won't hurt the wagon. either. How did you
happen to think of such nice idea?"
| s'Why didn't think of it years ago?" ha
returned evasively. IT ought to have, with
the poor little wife kept at home with a weak
i ankle"
.'I 4hayefwanted to see the farm awfully," :"
she said, nesting up to him as his arm went
! around her again, .sbut + didn't see how
d could, and never expected to- y
8 r Suddenly she impuIsiyely threw her arms
about his neck and. buried her face on his
:, shoulder with aESlittle sob.
."It's awful silly she murmured, for
4 folHs as old as we are to act SO spoony, but
4 I-thought-I'd got a notion that you'd got
all over caring anything about me, and I'm
so glad to find it isn't so.,
i AS for Lot, he held his wife close, and in
his heart was great joy.