The Somerset reporter., 1904-02-25
FINDING OF
" HER ;"
By LOUISE J. STRONG
By LOUISE J. STRONG


us the lTdNelefS Itdcucl lllclI AdflOU~
destinations, until only three were left
10 be stranded by "A breakdown at Al
cluster of houses called "A town Two
of them We're residents of the country.
neighbors returning from Il business
trip necessitated by the bogus sales OF
IA bogus land agent, Which had involV-
ed their property.
The third traveller was a woman
from far New England town, whose
whole life, up to her comely middle
age, had been spent in the rush and
turmoil Of a monster factory. To her
the wide, illimitable plain was reve
lation of the yastness 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 10 her
destination.
They knew nobody in the spnrsely
settled region beyond who WAS eX-
pecting company, and such an event
would be news for fifty miles around.
She had accepted the detaining aeci-
dent without worry or impatence 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 a nod.
she's that kind" Lee returned, with
the assurance of knowledge gained by
experience. He was married man.
They lounged out and took bench
near her.
Going on with the coach, ma'am?"
Lee yentured after awhile.
why, yes she replied pleasantly
rousing I'm going out near Wal
lace
why, that's our postotfice! Just a
shack, you know-store and postoftice
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 as she in
troduced herself.
The men exchanged startled glances
at the uame, but they shook hands
cordially.
II am Bob Lee; have a 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 "Anything's
near out here inside of twenty miles
Our quarter section is two miles
south of Wallace. and the agent said
thered be railroad soon. hope
you're not far away"
You bought. | reckon cambridge
said. Lands all been taken up round
here ever so long"
Yes, 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
mueh-and all taken. But some folks
own miles, don't they?'
Bainbridge nodded, and she went on
with deprecntory smile at her former
ignorance. "Our place seemed so big
IA hundred and sixty acres-and that
is big when you've never had even
garden spot-just rooms and a tiny
mite of a dooryardw
at does" Lee assented. Il came
from that kind Of a home myself
hardware clerk and wife a 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
nelghbors, who had right to know
the prospects and intentions of the
newcomers. I'VE think it will be
easier for Tom, and we've heard 1t was
more profitable than ordinary farm
ing"
Tom is, maybe, your hnsbandY' Lee
insinuated.
Land, no." she laughed, her plump
face rosy. Hes my brother-all the
folks I've got. | 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 a warning glance at Lee.
"Why, yes; how did you know? Oh,
expect you saw it in the agents list
Of sales"
Yes, ma'am, and ! noticed particu-
larly 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 glad" she said
heartily: real glad. l don't feel at all
as If I was going among strangers,
meeting my neighbors this way"
Are you going to live there aloneT
Lee inquired boldly
Her face clouded. II must for awhile.
am going to hire dugout or some
kind OF shelter put up, and want to
start things as soon as ! can. Toms
siskly and he's dreadfully run down.
He couldn't be alone out here" A
glow OF confidence lighted her eyes,
and she continued: We've been saving
long time to get home out in the
country somewhere. Tom was never
strong and the last year or two has de-
Il AnrAdnrnnlnn n M