Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1904-03-12
FINDING OF
+" HER"
By LOUISE ]. STRONG
Copyright, 1903. by II. c. Mcclure.

us the lluNcleTS lcucHeu their VARIOUS
destinations, until only three were left
TO be stranded by breakdown at Il
cluster of houses called a town. Two
OF them were residents of the country,
neighbors returning from Il business
trip necessitated by the bogus sales of
Il bogus land agent, which had involv-
ed their property.
The third traveller was woman
from 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 reve-
lation of the vastness Of Gods domain,
and she brooded over it 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.
They knew nobody in the sparsely
settled region beyond who was ex-
pecting company, and such an event
would be news for fifty miles around.
She 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" cambridge
said, indicating her with Il nod.
shes that kind" Lee returned, with
the assurance of knowledge gained by
experience. He was married man.
They lounged out and took a bench
near her.
Going on with the coach, maamT
Lee ventured after awhile.
"Why, yes" she replied pleasantly,
rousing. Pm going out near Wal
lace"
"Why, that's our postCfiice. Just Il
shack, you know-store and postoAice
together. Are you locating in that
neighborhood ~
Yes, quite near. And you are some
of our neighbors? That's good!
seem to almost know you. I'm Almira
Burton" She laughed like a pleased
child and put out her hand rs she in
troduced herself.
The men exchanged startled glances
at the name, but they shook hands
cordially.
II am Bob Lee; have wife (best in
the world and four towheads. This
is Whsle Bainbridge, the old bachelor
who lived by himself" Lee went on
loquaciously.
I'm glad there are children near.
am going to miss ours at home SO
dreadfully." she said.
Maybe they won't be what you'd
call near" he laughed. "Anythngs
near out here inside Of twenty miles"
Our quarter section is two miles
south of Wallace. and the agent said
there'd be a railroad soon. | hope
you're not far away"
You bought | reckon" cambridge
said. Lands all been taken up round
here ever so long"
Eyes, that's what the agent said;
though it doesn't seem possible. Why.
it's just one great ocean of land out
here. / didn't realize there was so
auckland all taken. But some folks
own miles, don't they?
cambridge nodded. and she went on
with deprecatory smile at her former
ignorance. Our place seemed so big
"a hundred and sixty acres-and that
is big when you've never had even a
garden spot-just rooms and tiny
mite of a dooryardw
at does" Lee assented. 81 came
from that kind of home myself
hardware clerk and wife teacher
back in Ohio. Tell you. we stretched
out here!'
He did not say that their stretch"
covered several miles, as he might.
We're going to raise cattle as soon
as we get started" She seemed sud
denly to feel herself among friends and
neighbors, who had right to know
the prospects and intentions of the
newcomers. 1--WE think it will be
easier for Tom, ana we've heard it was
more profitable than ordinary farm
ing"
tom is, maybe. your husband?" Lee
insinuated.
LAND, no." she laughed, her plump
face rosy. Hes my brother-all the
folks I've got. I raised him. and, like
me, he's been a factory worker all his
life. He's married and has two little
tots, so smart"
Thomas II. and A. Burton-that the
names you bought under:' cambridge
queried, with n warning glance ut Lee.
why. yes; how did you know? oh.
| expect you saw it in the agents list
OF sales"
Yes, ma'am, and noticed particu-
larry because that quarter is right next
to me; in fact, just into mine. OF
course felt an interest in such near
neighbors."
Why. I'm real gladv she said
heartily: "real glad. ! don't feel at all
as IL ] was going among strangers,
meeting my neighbors this way"
Are you going to live there alone?"
Lee inquired boldly.
Her face clouded. 'I must for awhile