The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-12-23
By
Ethel
Bopman
Ronald.

Very well, dear. IL you wish 1t, but I'll
telegraph your people before 1 CO."
Robert, If you don mind. I'd like to
do that myself. tn help pass the time.
and, besides. I want to send as funny and
jolly a message as possible"
Certainly, dear, and here's a note I
wrote you last night. I was rather wake-
full. Read 1t sometime along on the way.
Well, goodby. then dearest one: have a
good time and be happy. Goodby." He
kissed her with trembling lips and then
turned quickly. climbed as hurriedly into
the wagon. and drove away without once
looking back.
Elizabeth gazed after him with some Of
the brightness gone from her face. She
tapped the sill of the station door discon-
tendedly with her little foot.
There really isn't much pleasure in go
ing without Robert" she thought. and
then looked cur.ously at the note in her
hand. II believe I'll read it now" she
decided. He said any time" She went
into the station and sat down upon a hard
bench. There was only one other person
IN the room, a gaunt, flat-chested Ger
man woman.
Elizabeth tore open the note and read:
This is to be only a few words to bid
my little wife God-speed. tell her how
much love her, and a few other things
that l want to say now while I see them
clearly. 1t has come upon me lately that
l have wronged you in bringing you to
this lonely place. My boyhood was
passed in the country and 1 love it. 1t
seemed to me that there could be no
freer, happier life than here in this virgin
land. l knew that there would be pri-
%Vations, of course, but I did not fear
them. and you. catching a little of my
enthusiasm, We're willing to come. So 1
refused the kind offer OF your Uncle
Henry. The sitting round of the office,
the struggle of the world of men. fevers
me. To grapple with wind and dust and
famine-that was the battle at thought of
which every sinew of ME thrilled.
But you were differently made. You
were born for the easier, more sparkling
life of the city. All the pleasant and
gracious things which society offers to
a fair and sweet woman, were yours by
right.
Therefore. dearest, I beg your forgive
ness. The happiness Of you is the happi-
ness OF me. 1t Is a small thing to say that
l would die for You; rather / will live for
you, and in the way that is most pleasing
to you. II your uncle's offer is still open
to me, 1 will accept it. If you so desire.
But, dear. If you could find it in your
neart 70 give this life a few more months
trial, should be so glad. I feel sure that
the crops will be as good this year, as
they We're poor. last, and then we could
make this home more like your old one.
just until the autumn comes, Elizabeth.
and you can stay with your mother as
much Of that time as you wish. But if
YOU feel that you do not desire to make
the 1rlal, then say SO, dear, and your
wish shall be mine. For, after all, wher-
ever you are is the sweetest s1ot in the
world for me.
Have n happy visit. dear: stay as long
as You like. and God keep your"
Elizabeth's tears fell on the note before
she had finished. There is not another
in all the world rs good as Robert" she
tnonght. II won't try to decide now
about the farm. I'll wait until reach
home. I'd better telegraph now"
sfe turned toward the little room whore
the operator sat and then hesitated; some
how the keen edge OF her eagerness was
dniled. The home vision was not so ra-
diant, so fascinating. as 1t had seemed
earlier. She remembered her brother Dick
ana MS friends, with their well-groomed
their polished nippancy, and then
she thought of Robert in his worn ulster.
his checks glowing from the wind of the
prairie, but with loneliness in his sober
eye. She drew her hand across her fore
head with q childish gesture of trouble
n Dissatisfaction. and then her eyes
fell on the German woman who still sat
moveless on the other bench.
A dull. colorless creature she wa who
'NN'A "AJ w Del"een 70
and 40. He complexion was of an un-
healthy yellowish hue. and a few wisps
of the same yellowish-hued hair stray
gled stringily down her thin temples. One
would hardly AVE noticed her a second
time. but for the expression OF grier that
dign.fied her unlovely face. Every once
in a While a slow tear fell from her eyes.
checks, and. rolling drearily down her
faded cheeks. dropped upon her hands
which were folded in her lap. Elizabeth.
always tender-hearted in the presence Of
suffering. rose and walked over to her.
us there anything I can do for you?''
she asked tim.dly.
Nobody can't do nottinss." replied the
woman with simplicity. MY man been
dead.'
obi" said Elizabeth heIplessly. ..I'm
sorry" and then as the woman moved
over a little. she sat down beside her. The
pathos of this bald statement touched the
girls already overwrought feelings UNI
speakably. and her face was very sweet
with sympathy as she questioned gently:
Has he been dead long?' The poor
creature began to talk eagerly. 1t was a
relief to pour out some OF the trouble in
her heart to this kindly stranger.
NO. miss: one week he has been dead.
Ten years Chris ard mes been married.
Chris hadn't no learning. but he was
good looking. yes. / had learning. l
could read, and some ! could write. 1
worked in the canning factory nit Gus
sic and Tina and lots of other girls, and
sooch fun we been having. Then long
come Chris and asked me won't 1 marry
NIT him and i DID,. But he amt high
toned like me, and he want to have a
farm, and we did come way out here
But l never did like it. no. 1t sads me TO
hear the wolves in the night-time. and
everything is hat still! And 1 don't like
never to see nobody. ! want to see Tina
and Gussie and work in the canning fac
tory again already, and 1 ask him to go,
but he say no. And / sass him and sass
him. and he don't say mooch. and never
don't beat me, and now he been dead. My
man been dead"
She paused. her stopped shoulders
shaken with sobs. E~lizabeth's face
twiched oddly, but she struggled to main
tain her composure.
And now are you going to do?"
she asked huskily.
I'm going to try to get into the can
ming factory again already. But 1 don't
want to work in Tx. canning factory, no,
l want to live out en- the prairie nit
Chris. 1t wouldn't sad me no more. Mein
Colt. I been one fool! Wolves don't mat
ter. Never SEEM nobody don't matter.
Nothin' matters but your mani
Elizabeth arose and grasped the wom-
ans hand. The light that never was on
sea or land was in her eyes.
Eyes. YOU'RE right. Nothinp ypottor.