Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-07-28

ClCu Ad66oASs
Eyes, father"
II thought So Come to say good-by
didn't he? Well, I'm sorry for old man
Taggart; he sets the world by that boy
An it's pity, too. Fred was the smart
est Teller round here at one time, for O
young chap, an seemed to have the
maxim of something uncommon. But
the smartness has all frazzled out now
in kid gloves an squeakin' boots; an
he's goin' up to the city to work for six
dollars a week, when his fathers got the
finest farm round here, an Fred could
have the runnin' of it in few years II
he'd stay. Well, we'll! Fools amt all
dead yet But here comes Hank. Guess
he wants to see you, Ell"
Elsie had been slipping into the house
with heightened color, but turned back.
Hank was the son of their nearest neigh.
Dor, and was a good, whole-souled fel.
low, with clear head and energetic hab'
it's, but woefully diff1dent and slow Of
speech. Elsie liked him, but had never
cared to analyze what Hanks feelings
might be toward her.
AS he approached them the young man
nodded to her father, who was moving
away toward the barn, and then turned
to her expectantly, with the color rising
slowly to the roots of his hair. But not
until her father was out of hearing did
he speak.
"Elsie," he began then, bashfully.
S,,c& r.
be gone for a long time"
Eyes," tentatively, "he said good-by
to me-"
"There's that rehearsal to-night-sat-
urday night, you know, Elsie" he went
on. Its quite a long walk, and-and
you'll be needing somebody to 60 with
you. Thought I'd better run over before
any Of the other boys got round. -"
II can go alone just US well as not,
Hank. It's bright moonlight"
Eyes, yes, I know 'tls," desperately.
But there's rehearsals next week, and
church tomorrow night, and-and
there's all summer long, and all next
winter 1t won't be moonlight all the
time. You'll need somebody to walk
with you. OF course I amt asking you
to keep company with me-" hurriedly;
"only-only you'll need somebody till
Fred gets back, and I'm handiest:"
I'm not engaged to Fred, proudly.
mo, of course not. ! know that-or
thought so. But he sort of kept company
with you, and-and handiest, Elsie,
and you'll sure need somebody and
and you and will understand"
She looked at him thoughtfully. o.
Eyes, you and would understand,
Hank" she said, "and maybe Twill need
somebody sometimes Ives, you may
come for me, Hank" / @s y
The rest came about naturally. Hank
became Elsie's steady company, as the
neighboring young people said; but
Hank and Elsie themselves understood.
And Fred, when he returned home for 4
few days at Christmas, understood, too
and he wrung Hanks hand and called
him a good fellow for protecting his girl
from the other boys.
Before the end of the next year there
was a rumor that Fred's father was not
quite, satisfied. The firm had not ad-
vanced Fred as it ought. He was still
receiving six dollars week, and money
had to be sent from home to pay for his
clothes; then his letters were filled with
theaters and the proper things In high
life, with nothing about his work.
BY this time Hank had developed into
a tall, broad-shouldered young man,
perfectly capable of managing the farm
which was now almost wholly under his
care,
Then one day Fred suddenly appeared
among them, jaunty. as ever, and home
for gooo, as he said. The city was too
crowded and unsatisfying; and besides,
his father needed him to manage the
farm. And all he brought for his two
years work and the money sent him was
large diamond which flashed upon one
of his fingers, and experience.
The very night of his arrival he
dressed himself with all the elaborate
ness of his city knowledge and went
across to Elsie's home. She received
him in the parlor, in the pretty white
dress which he remembered she was
having made for her graduation. AZ
she entered the room, something in her
bright, winsome beauty, SO different
from the chalky compilations OF the
shop girls he had become acquainted
with, made him step forward impul-
sively.
"Why, you're beautiful, Elsie" he ex-
claimed. II had no idea. It's fine to'be
home again. Amt you glad to see me?'
Eyes, indeed am, Fred" she answered
frankly, as she gave him both her hands.
1T will be nice to have you with US
again. r -, ~ :,
Fred laughed complacently and settled
himself comfortably in the easiest chair
in the room. ooh, by the way, Elsie =
he said presently, mother told me there
was to be a party over to Hulps Wednes-
day night. Shall we 60? haven't got
nv invitation yet, but it'll come soon's
they hear I'm home"
Eyes, you'll get it all right Elsie
agreed. but 1 can't 60 with you, Fred
I'VE promised Hank. He's got cousin
staying at his house, though, nice girl
Suppose you ask herr"