Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-11-02
80. -I.5ts.al@1s1lI.. =.
- w lsI1.rs(l.y-=.y,i'fss9
r. Il AAH N<GtNiNG
DA~.
~ 2tsssssssst SD 80
<Sa

a hard. little laugh. There is to be no
such day in my calendar. | can't thlhk
of one thing that | am thankful for, I'M
less it is that this dull life will soon XIII
me-"
"Why. Mrs. Clair. l suppose that you
were thankful that you and Mr.. Clair
were still living in the borderland OF
bliss that lovers imagine will last
There was moments silence. Agatha
was busy fastening the collar OF her
pretty green serge. Outside the window
opened to admit the crisp autumnal air.
whte-faced man leaned against the
house. the golden straw with which he
had been covering the pansy bed blow
ing unheeded about his feet.
Il am thankful that we have emerged
into the land of common sense. If we
had done it a year and a half ago life
might still mean something for me. Now
| see | have made mistake
Ten minutes later Eugene Clair came
forward to put his wife and Mrs. Ferris
into the waiting carriage. He replied
courteously 10 the question of his neigh
Dor and as they were starting, said:
"Good-by. Agatha"
dress with the robe to do more than nod
in reply.
The sun. red and angry looking. was
just disappearing from sight behind the
forest 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 as
she hurried up the path.
Il hope Eugene will have fire." she
said to herself. He always remembers
such things"
For once he had not remembered. The
house was empty and cold. On the table
lay a letter addressed, Agatha"
Chilled by a nameless terror she car
red it to the window, and by the dim
light. read:
Dear Agatha have a chance to go
with Fowler to Chicago with carload
of horses Must start at once and be
gone a week. Hardness is coming in
the morning to about Mamie. Tell
him he can have her for hundred and
twenty-five dollars. He will pay you
Take the money and go to Orley. you can
get your new clothes after you get there
Stay as long as you like and enjoy your
self. III get along nicely. and if Fow-
Ter makes me a good offer | will go d.
rectly to the lumber camps for the win
ter. Ever yours,
"ETGENE."
"Sold Mamie" Agatha gasped. "Eu-
gene gone for week and I am to tell
Hardness tn ut he can have Mamie"
Mamie was 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 the hint that he might not re-
turn. What did it all mean? Was it
because of her words that morning that
he was trying so hard to secure money?
When the hired man. who lived in the
tenant house. brought in the milk. Aga
tha learned that Eugene had made ar
rangements in case he did not come back.
He asked me if Marge and he would
sleep here" Tom concluded. Said it
would only be few days as you was
g"in' away. Margie. she'll take the milk
then"
instead OF sleeping that night Agatha
Clair thought. One result of her think
ing was that when Hardness came in
the morning she told him he could no;
have Mamie.
Il hardly expected Gene would part
with her. the man said. good humoredly.
Would another ten be any inducements"
Agatha shook her brown head decid-
eddy. Nothing you can offer will induce
us to let Mamie GO
Fowler was to return THANKSGIVING
morning. Would Eugene come with him.
or would he go north? There was 10
way of communicating with him. There
was nothing Agatha could do Nay, there
was one thing-~he could pray. Some
times she would fall upon her knees and
assail heaven with prayers that were de-
mands. Again the peace that had filled
her heart when a child at her mothers
side came to her. and she trustingly ask
ed that Eugene might come home to find
Il different wife from the one whose dis
content had driven him away.
Thanksgiving came. The sky was gray
and lowering. while the east wind
<xluEa Nsaio