The Red Cloud chief., 1902-12-19
N KEEN wind blew from the
north. with dreary moaning
~ throuph ~lcofcsg branches.

'" fOk 'Cdtir uVtil'Nhi' 'h'' ~
new-cut road with satisfaction.
Tim hungry enough 10 eat n mule
Tom remarked. avoiding n deep rut.
"In I've glad when the logs are In.
Wonder if dad gets tircdY He never
lets on
Ben. slower Of speech aud movement,
scarcely glanced from his horses neck.
YES. he gets tired" he answered. pres
emily. Hes not iron"
81 wish Rene cared less for society
ana more for us boys" Tom grumblcd.
Dinner was abominablc! I guess she
don't know how bacon and cold hoiled
potatoes tastc-from u dinner pail.
She's selfish clear through, like all
girls. She thinks she's all right. may
he she is; but home isn't. IT'S not
what II was when ma was here"
Ills voice reached farther thau he
knew. Domlcy. on the leader, turned
and gave n backward. sombcr look.
Sudden silence fell. brol;cn only by the
crcaklnc OF chains and rattle Of
wheels. When they spoke again IT was
about the m0rrow's work. nomlcy
did not encourage idle conversation.
Toms grievance was. TO lin. n real
one. The religion of old days had been
the religion OF comfort. Tho passing
OF It's meek disciple wrought Inevitable
changes. There was more lamplight
IN the parlor now. more calling. more
meeting OF benevolent societies. These
things were all right. but Tom resented
The bacon and cold potatoes.
Where the road touched th" lane
n flying figure evadcd the lead team.
and stopped, painting, before the boys.
almost under their horses feet. IL
was thirtccn-ycar.old Florence. the
baby.
80 Ben" she cried. brcathlcssly. edo
let me ride. won't you? Tessie Birch
Is at our house. They're In the parlor.
practiclng Easter music. They are
sweet as lilies. the songs are. I'm 90.
ing to the services Sunday. aren't you?
Can't ] ride. Benz"
Ben swung her easily 10 a place he.
hind him on the horse. and she claspcd
him about the waist. smuggling her
cold nose against his back.
81 wish you'd wear something on
your head" he demonstrated. "H's n
wonder you don't die. Have they got
anything good to eat ut homc:'
"Mackcrel." disdainfully. Rice. no
tatOes. biscuit and coffee. Bread
scorched. Better hmrry-cvcrything's
s%corching-'
"Oh. well. they're singing" Tom
snarled. II say. Ben. you're your own
man after tomorrow. I'd light out.
I'd hunt 70 Uncle Bart. l don't inten!
30 work ON here when my times IN
A fellow sets neither money nor
Y@~msrsspS FLORENCE flashed.
''Ben isn't going d 'tkht OUT; he's go
Ing to stay with me! gsss things
aren't burnt a~nxiOusly. "Is ir,Our
birthday tomorrow. BenT"
81 guess II IT," He withdrew from
her embrace and slid hastily to the
ground, closing the big gate behind
his wagon. run along to tho house
now. Babe. l have to feed the horses.
It's too mortal cold for you to be out"
I'll so with you," she volunteered,
stoutly. "LHt mc-IIi help. You
aren't going to light out. Ben, are
you?"
"BOther!' Ben roughly brushed her
aside. you're the awfullcst Kid when
YOU get n notion! Run on to the house:
1 mean whu, I say"
When Ben used that tone Florence
ceased opportunities. She turned dis.
~contentedly toward the lighted square
Of the kitchen window. She wanted
to he with Ben. He was her idol-Bep
the tnclturn. In infancy It was hi,
shoulder she loved best. In DAYS O,
measles and Group he was her savior
Now. az then. he was the one bcin,
altogether lorely, without spot or blcm
ish.
Ben made his horses comfortable
then went to the house. which locke,
inviting after the biting outer nj,
Logs We're ablazc on the hearth, an,
the table was daintily spread. Ii
seated himself. and Florence took 10.
session Of his knee.
Were going to have preserve
pears" she whispered. rucoura gingl,
I'D eat a lot II I were you!'
AT the table her irreprcssihlity brok
out afresh.
ID you know tomorrow Is Ben
~birthdayf" she demanded.
Mr.. Domley paused n moment. for
in hand. Rene smiled across at h,
brother.
"Twcnty'one!' she exclaimed. "B,
q voter! I'll give n dinner in honor
the event. Consider yourselves invI
cd. all Of you,'
As Domley left the room that eve
Ing he turned gruffiy Ia his elder so
"We won't work to.morrow." he sal
I'm going to mill. You can kno,
around"
II was a lengthy speech for hi
and q gracious ono. Rcn felt the 60,
pliment. ".All right" he said. in
most his fathers way. I'm II
sorry"
Tom was not SO reticent. The PRO
Use of a days rest and mn Old.time d
A,ar uyov,naI his hlnnl