Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-11-20
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The young wife eagerly accepted the in
vitation. 1t would enable her to forget,
for a little time at least.
Agatha went rapidly about her toilet.
Her guest was stated in the dining room,
and by leaving the door open conversa-
ton could be carried on during the hair
brushing and the dress changing.
where are you going to spend
while she studied the arrangement of the
violet-strewn silkolene drape on the shelf
near her, secretly wondering If she could
not initiate 1t.
Thanksgiving" Agatha repeated with
4 hard, little laugh. There is to be no
such day in my calendar. l can't think
of one thing that I am thankful for, un-
less 1t is that this dull life will soon kill
me-"
"Why, Mrs. Clair! I suppose that you
were thankful that you and Mr.. Clair
wers still living in the borderland of
bliss that lovers imagine will last"
There was moments silence. Agath o
was busy fastening the collar Of her
pretty green serge. Outside the window
opened to admit the crisp autumnal air
a white-faced man leaned against the
house, the golden straw with which he
had been covering the pansy bed blow.
ing unheeded about his feet.
II am thankful that we have emerged
Into the land Of common sense. If We
had done It a year and a half age life
might still mean something for ma. Now
see have made a mistake"
Ten minutes later Eugene Clair came
| svxJx q. 4.
into the waiting carriage. He replied
eourteously to the question of hi. neigh.
Dor and as they were starting, said:
"Good-by, Agatha"
But Agatha was toe busy covering her
dress with the robe to do more than nod
In reply.
The sun. red and angry looking, was
Just disappearing from sight behind the
fsrest-crowned hills west of Agatha's
home when Mrs. Ferris left her at the
gate. The wind walled loudly around the
house and the young wife shivered O.
he hurried UP the path.
II hope Eugene will have a FIRE." she
said to herself. "He always remembers
such things"
Fer ence he had not remembered. The
house wsa empty and cold. On the table
lay q letter addressed, Agatha"
Chilled by a nameless terror she car
Ned 1t to the window, and by the dim
Light, read:
"Dear Agatha-I have a chance to 60
with Fowler to Chicago with a carload
Il horses. Must start at once and be
gone a week. Hardness is coming in
the morning to see about Mamie. Tell
hin be can have her for hundred and
twenty-five dollars. He will pay you.
Take the money and 60 to Orley, you can
get ysur new clothes after you get there.
otay - long as you like and enjoy your
self. I'll get along nicely, and If Fow-
lG makes me good offer will go d.
rectly to the lumber camps for the win
ter. Ever yours,
EUGENE"
"ssld Mamie" Agatha gasped. "Eu-
gene gone for a week and l am to tell
Hardness that he can have Nannie."
Mamie was q beautiful black colt
Agatha knew. how proud her husband
was Of the intelligent animals beauty
and grace. She had often heard him de-
clare that money could not buy her. And
Hardness was noted for his cruelty. the
last person into whose hands Eugene
would be willing to place Mamie.
Then that mention of the lumber
: camps and fine hint that he might not re
: trn. What did it all mean? Was /
y because Of her words that morning tina
9 he was trying so hard to secure money
When the hired man. who lived in tn
il tenant house, brought in the milk. Aga
t. ma learned that Eugene had made ar
n rangements in case he did not come back
He asked me if Margie and me wou
sleep here" Tom concluded. Said