Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-04-21

Il don't know what it u.s." said Lo
despairingly.
Imagination" returned his sistel
shortly.
Lot turned on her. Look here, Ma
ria Bemis." he said almost fiercely
You pride yourself on your faculty
for seeing things. You've been here
three days, and haven't you seer
that there was something come be
tween us since you were here before
and that she has stopped caring any
thing about met" His voice broke al
the last words, and he turned away
from her.
Maria looked at his back, and there
was an expression OH her face of min
gled pity, contempt ane amusement
I've been here three days. Lot" she
said quietly, land I've seen that you
nre pair of foolish children. But be-
fore | go on want to ask you If you
have got over caring for her"
Lot looked at her with Indignation
too strong for words.
Il didn't think you had" said his
sister in tone of relief. IF you had,
it would be serious state of affairs;
but, as you haven't, l don't see any
difficulties"
You must admit that she isn't hap
Ply" he said at length.
Yes"
but, don't you see, it must be me,
because she doesn't see anybody else,
hardly"
She settled herself more comfortably
on the grain chest and began to speak
deliberately. Don't you know that
when two people, don't care who they
are, live on a lonely farm and don't
see anybody but each other for weeks
at time-don't you know that they
are bound to get morbid and imagine
all sorts of things about themselves
and each other? That is why SO many
farmers wives go insane"
"But what can l do?" Lot asked, a
look Of terror in his face. 'I've tried
to get her to go to places with me, but
| can't"
ell tell you," said Maria decisively.
'The first nice day take her out over
the farm and spend the day. I'll see
to things while you are gone, and I'll
put up lunch for you. Show her all
you are doing and plan to do. Take
her to the pretty places and. most of
all, make love to her as though your
life depended on it."
Il don't believe she'd go. couldn't
persuade her. You've no idea how set
she is"
Maria looked at her brother scorn-
fully. Perhaps you never heard of
such thing as strategy"
She turned away and walked out of
the barn.
For long time he stood looking at
his Grandfather Stetson's old covered
wagon. 1t had been considered an ele-
CANT affair in its day, but now it was
seldom taken out except when some Of
the children came home at Thanksgiv-
ing or for short visits.
He took out his jackknife and opened
1t, felt Of the edge, then got into the
wagon and knelt down on the seat.
Very carefully, and following the
thread i'll the cloth, he cut a slit two
inches long in the back of the seat. He
picked at the cotton batting stuffing
with the point of his knife. Then he
let the flap go back in place, the cot
ton batting showing a little all along
the cut. THAT looks very natural" he
muttered.
The next morning Lot spoke to his
sister when Eunice was in another
room. "Just as soon as the dew gets
off some" he said, and she nodded
after breakfast she carried to the barn
a large covered basket, demijohn of
with look of comprehension. Soon
cold tea. shawl and her sister-in-law's
sunbonnet. These Lot helped her stow
away under the back seat.
At o'clock Lot came into the house.
I'm going to start off with the old coy
cred wagon in a little while" he said,
"and I find there's tear or cut in
the back of the seat Do you suppose
you could mend it:'
Eunice went to get her workbasket
She found piece of green cloth and
pulled some rawlings from it; then she
went out and got into the covered
wagon and set quietly and patiently to
work
Lot watched her furtiyely from the
barn. When he thought she was nearly
half through he began Harvesting with
feyerish haste. What if she should get
too soon? She looked around
as he backed the horse into the shafts.
Pm not quite through yet, Lot she
said mildly.
Don't 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 Eunice half started
to her feet. but he laid his hand gently
on her arm, and she sank back again.
Eve are going to ride over the farm"
he said quietly.
He drove ON, talking rapidly about
his plans. recalling incidents Of the
haymaking and speaking of the get
ting In OF the enSilage.
Eunice was silent, and in spite OF his
lively chatter Lot was anxious.
In the middle of the pasture Lot
stopped 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, l call
Them" he said proudly. He paused
His face was quiet, white and agf-
tated. and be did not dare look at his
wife.
Il always thought an awful lot OF
Buttercup," said Eunice In her sweet,