The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-01-31

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Il WAS on the frontier 4 EcinaA
( $1,000 ii tie door d the hcnse hooking
al distant tendr;ll Of smoke that slails
ed in the. SKY. the smoke OF the east
bound passenger train. She listened 70
the harsh creaking Of the corn: and her.
face grew get. .s !; 81
.Rick had no fgbt 20 bring me y
7Such q place. = shf thought, forgettine
how wliiihgiy she bad come.
4 man drove into the yard: TED his
horse to the wheel Of the wagon and
came toward the house. ;Eonsh ycR
knew me. 1Safe3'' he called loudly. y
be heard above the wind.
4wby. George Gilbert. Il Il ypuEs
she exclaimed. She held out her hand
4H6w aid you ever happen 70 get hersl
Come fight into the house. Rlck,s zone
to town for coal
The man followed her into the main
room of the house which served the
double purpose OF parIor and kitchen.
In one corner stood the stoves above II
long shelf covered With neatly seal
loped papers, on which stood the lamps
and tinware. a safe with perforated
tin doors was In another corner. A bit
of Ingram carpet. a rocking chair and
a round table with red cover made
the parTor-
You see, I'm travelling for a grocery
house, the man said. sitting down,
.and make Houston now, and your
folks said mist be sure to come out
and see you. How are you doingw
'Doingt7 Kate cried, scornfnlly look
ing around the room. Can't you see?
Making just enough to Keep soul and
body together-c corn IA cents and were
nine miles from market.
.tWhy don't you come back homer"
he asked. leaning forward in his chair
and noticing how much Kate Ind aged
since she came west.
"Dick never seems to think of 1t. Be-
sides. i don't think we've got money
enough to take one of US. let alone
both. just long to go. Sometimes 1T
seems like I'd go wild staying here. A
man can get along better'n a woman"
..Are you coming?" he asked.
She stood moment Strengthening
the cover on the table. Yes. I'll CO."
she said decisively. .rhere are a
few things must take. but can be
ready In half an hour"
Its 4:30.. George called.
She laid her hat and cloak on the
bed. I'm glad baked the bread and
dried apple pies this morning" she
thought. Men are so helpless about
homework. 1 must leave some word
of where rm gone. ! guess he has
tried to be good to me, but he has no
right to keep me here
She found, n sheet OF the thin blue
lined paper on which she had so often
written to her folks. She sat down on
the bed with the ink bottle on chair
near by. Dear Rick" she wrote. then
hastily crossed 1t out and began
.Rick." Then she was motionless for
a time, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.
At last she wrote: George Gilbert is
here and is going TO lend me money to
20 home on. cannot stand 1t here
any longer. hope you will forgive
me. for i know you have tried to be
good to me and
She threw down her pen and ran into
the kitchen. George stood in the door
way smoking and looking down the.
road. ..Ready?" he asked without
turning.
"oh. / can't go,'' she cried huskily.
81 can't go! He has done his best. II
would be wicked when he has worked
SO hard. Poor Rick.r She sat down
and covered her face with her hands.
albright George answered. II was
willing to take you; but. II you think
you'd better not, that's all right.
don't want to interfere, as l said be-
fore"
She watched him out of sight. Then
she went into the house and laid her
clothing back In the trunk. Her letter
law ON the floor. She picked 1t UP and
threw it into the fire as II 1t had been
something unclean. She watched 1t
blaze and turn to II white ghost, which
she crumbled with the poker. When
the house had taken on its ordinary
look. she put the teakettle on the stove
and set the table for supper. As she
cut one of her pies she smiled. She
was to eat them, after all.
The wind had gone with the sun, and
1t was dusk when she heard the sound
Of wheels. She took the lantern from.
the high shelf, lit 1t and set out for
the barn
rs that you. Rick?" she called.
Kate held the lantern while her hus.
band unhitched and fed his horses.
Then they walked together to the
house. Through the open door u block
of light fell on the ground. and within
the red tablecloth and white dishes
shone pleasant and cheerful.
Five got some good news. Sis" Rick
said across the table as he helped him
self TO u third cut of pie. "Old man
Shutz wants to buy this farm; says he
don't like the way my land gougcs out
the corner of his section. He viii take
up the mortgage and give me 5000
clear. 1t amt much, but we can go
buck home and begin over again-be-
GIN over again In country where
man gets decent living for his sweat
aud labor"
Kate laid her head on the table and
began to cry.
.why. sis. amt you tickledg he ask