Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-07-26
cihc." said Edna severely. 1T is no,

nice to rake up unpleasant memories
The next moment she was penitert
and longed TO tell him how sorry she
was for all that had occurred. Int .iac',
was looking out over the feds nov.
and be did not catch the gi.Et OF ;carS
in her eyes
He was thinking of the promise She
had made him when they see c':,hcF
ing the arbutus together an, loa ~ +"
had agreed TO gather the 4. a;n" 'lc
next spring as husband aml H.
Somehow the memory 81 Il had
brought him back from the c&ct: : ~!
sagebrush of the western p.Iin 7"
had felt that he must conc back IL /,
perhaps in the springtin!e sh" wpu.
see things with clearer vision. He h@;!
hoped against hope on his long i9uTne,,'
across the continent. and now. ag tbs
unexpected meeting she bad sn,:Jbei
him.
. II was several minutes before re
+ could command himself. hut wis '.e
turned TO her again ii was with az I'M
passive face and some comment ui ~
the destruction of the powe- haGse.
Edna felt hurt Why sh0ul she c;: re
when he seemed 10 feel so lits!T r1.,ea :
Her penitence vanished. and instead
there came an elfin desire 10 tease.
For moment he seemed hart II her
fippancy; then he rallied and met her
mood. Beneath his smiles There !ty a
bleeding heart. but he did not show his
hurt, and the Indifference reused Edna
to further flights until she was almost
insolent
He bore with her patiently. hut when
at last the boy drew up at the outskirts
and announced that he had 10 turn of
to his store Jack sprang TO the ground
and caught her i'm his arms as she
sought to jump to the ground without
his assistance. Just for moment they
shared the fragrance of the arbutuS
that was crushed between them: then
he released her with sigh and fell
into step beside her.
II do not need your escort" she pro-
tested when it became apparent that
he intended to walk with her
You have to pass through a rather
tough quarter of the town before you
reach your home" he said quietly. Il
am sorry to have to force my company
on you. but / intend to see you safely
home"
Edna thrilled at the quiet authority
of the tone. She had been rather dis
appointed at the quiet way in which
he had taken her raillery. This was
more like the old Jack, and because ii
evoked old memories it made her re-
sentful
Il suppose you have come back home
because you were a failure out west?"
she said sharply. Father said when
you went that you would never make
a success on a ranch
ION the contrary. | have been re-
markably successful he said quietly
They passed under the street lamp, and
she glanced at his well worn clothes
II am wearing an old suit for a rea-
son." he said. Don't Judge by that.
Shall / tell you why | came homef"
Il suppose cannot help myself"
she Knocked.
Because l read the message of
spring." he said; because the dusty
cactus spoke of the pink arbutus and
made me think of you; because hoped
that the season might bring memories
to you and make you more kind.
II went out to the woods the day
arrived and to the place where we
plighted our troth. | was hoping, per
haps, you might come. 1t was the an
niversary. | was there again yester-
day and today. | am wearing an old
suit because ii is the suit | wore then"
Il remember it," she cried penitent-
ly, but | did not know that was the
reason why"
I'VE are at your gate" he said, with
a sudden change of tone. Pardon my
herocs" He lifted his hat and turned
away She waited a moment, then
called softly TO him. He turned back.
looking into her face inquiringly.
I'm glad the trolley house burned
down." she said softly I'VE could go
out tomorrow In buggy--if you care
to. Perhaps 1t might happen
Lightning never strikes twice in the
same place. he announced promptly.
at has happened already"
I'm glad 1t has," she said meekly.
II shall always love arbutus."
"And me?" he demanded.
"And-youw she said.