The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-03-01
FINDING OF
HER" /"
By LOUISE ]. STRONG

-..Copyrish:. 1903, by T. C. Mcclure.
f+*+++++++++++ 7
The stagecoach slowly emptled itself
as the travellers reached their various
destinations. until only three We're left
10 be stranded by n breakdown at n
cluster OF houses called a town. Two
OF them were residents OF the country.
neighbors returning from a business
trip necessitated by the bogus sales OF
bogus land agent, which had involv-
ed their property.
The third traveller was a woman
from a far New England town, whose
whole life, up to her comely middle
age. had been spent In the rush and
turmoil of monster factory. To her
the wide. illimitable plain was n reve-
lation of the vastness of Gods domain.
and she brooded over IL In silent.
dreamy contemplation. She smiled and
answered pleasantly when spoken to.
but had volunteered no information
concerning herself. and Lee and Balm
bridge felt some curiosity as to her
destination.
/ hObodf tht opuASCir
settled region beyond who was ex-
pecting company. and such an event
would be news for fifty miles around
Size had accepted the OBTAINING acci-
dent without worry or impatience and
after supper sat on the porch of the
small hotel. her eyes fixed in wonder
ing awe upon the distant mountains,
beyond whose peaks streamed the
glory of the setting sun.
''She looks like home" Bainbridge
said. Indicating her with a nod.
"She's that kind" Lee returned. with
the assurance OF knowledge gained by
experience. He was a married man.
They lounged out and took bench
, near her.
Going on with the coach. ma'amT'
Lee ventured after awhile.
why. yes" she replied pleasantly,
rousing. I'm going out near Wal.
lace"
Why. that's our postoffice. Just a
shack. you know-stcre and postofiice
together. Are you locating in that
neighborhoodT'
Yes, quite near. And you are some
OF our neighbors? That's goodl
seem TO almost know you. I'm Almira
Burton" She laughed like q pleased
, child and put out her hand as she In
troduced herself.
The men exchanged startled glances
at the name, but they shook hands
cordially.
Il am Bob Lee: have a wife (best In
the worldl and four towheads. This
is Whsle Bainbridge, the old bachelor
: who lived by himself" Lee went Oh
loquaciously.
I'm glad there are children near.
am going to miss ours at home sc
| dreadfully," she said.
Maybe they won't be what you'd
call near" he laughed. "Anything's
near out here inside Of twenty miles
l "Our quarter section is two miles
south of Wallace. and the agent said
there'd be a railroad soon. l hops
1 you're not far away"
3 You bought. I reckon" Bainbridg'
said. Lands all been taken up rounG
here ever so long"
"Yes. that's what the agent said
E though 1t doesn't seem possible. Why
{ | it's just one great ocean of land ou
here didn't realize there was 81
r much--and all taken. But some folk
r own miles. don't theyf
Bainbridge nodded. and she went OF
with a deprecatory smile at her forme
ignorance. "Our place seemed so BIZ
"a hundred and sixty acres-and tina
T is big when you've never had even |
I garden spot-just rooms and q TIM
mite of a dooryardr'
Z ''lt does" Lee assented. 81 cam,
from that kind of home myself
4 hardware clerk and wife a teache
back in Ohio. Tell you, we stretche'
out herer'
He did not say that their stretch
covered several miles, as be might.
i We're going to raise cattle as 500
+ as we get started" She seemed sud
denly to feel herself among friends an
q neighbors, who had a right to know
? the prospects and intentions OF tn
newcomers. 1--WE think 1t will b
easier for Tom, and we've heard 1t wa
more profitable than ordinary farm
ing"
n tom is. maybe. your husbandr LIE
insinuated.
e Land. nor' she laughed, her plum
r. folks I've got raised him, and, iik
- me. he's been a factory worker all hi
life. He's married and has two littl
x tots. SO smart"
IL Thomas H and A. Burton-that th
names you bought underf" Bainbridg
le queried, with a warning glance at Lee
IT "why. yes; how did you knowf Oh
d 1 expect you saw 1t in the agents ii;
OF sales"
IN "Yes, ma'am. and / noticed particl
larly because that quarter is right ne,
to me; in fact, just into mine.
course I felt an interest In such net
u nelehbors"
"Why, I'm real glad!" she sal
ID heartily; "real glad. / don't feel at a
lie as If I was going among stranger
meeting my nelghbors this way"
r. "Are you going to live there alone
NJ Lee inquired boldly.
Her face clouded. 81 must FOR awhil
am going to hire a dugout or son
ie kind of shelter put up. and I want
es start things as soon as I can. Tom
sickly, and he's dreadfully run dow
nd He couldn't be alone out here"
oy glow of confidence lighted her eyt
and she continued: We've been savil
.. long time to get home out In Z
country somewhere. Tom was nev
strong and the last year or two has q
he veioped consImptive tendencies, al
ch the doctors advised him to come o
J In this part Of the west and 1--we. Th