Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-05-11

8Y w q. R@SE

Eth! That's strange. Well, he has.
paused. and wiped his forehead. I'm
putting a good deal Of dependence OH
Robert. He becomes more valuable to
me every year" He paused again.
When he spoke his voice trembled. 81
i hardly know what I'd do If Robert
should leave me-"
But of course he won't" said the
girl.
Roberts father half closed his eyes.
II don't know he said. II don't
know
But why should he leave your"
= He looked at her earnestly.
"Why, indeed?".
Doesn't he like the business?"
H likes he business we'll enough
"Then what reason can he have?"
He moved his chair q little closer.
Don't you know?' he asked in a
half whisper.
The girl recoiled a little.
"How- should l know"
His glance wavered.
Il had hoped" he said, that Robert
would marry and settle down here, and
and take up the business when I
have passed beyond"
yes" she said encouragingly.
"When he married l meant to give
him the Fennimore cottage for a home.
You know the placer +
Yes. It Is charming"
I'm glad you like it. And he should
have a wedding tour to New York and
down to Florida, and be gone a month
oil longer If he liked"
"That would be generous"
And l meant to raise his salary as
superintendent to $1,000 a year. And
he'd have the earnings from his third
interest, too"
You are a very kind father, Mr..
Chalmers"
Hes my only son, Miss Susan. I'd
be willing to do almost anything to see
him happily settled"
And again his searching glance made
her feel a little uncomfortable. She
was at a loss for words.
Does your son know Of these plans?,
Yes. I've told him. It didn't seem
to help matters any. He appears deter
mined to go away"
ITO go away? why should he want
to go away"
"Ill tell you what he says. Would
you like to hear his ~reasons?"
"Why yes"
"He says he's lost all Interest In the
business" -...c -
ayes"
"He says he wants to get away some
where and rough It"
yes"
HE says he wants to get away from
the village"
YES" s' u
"And when I asked him II he meant
to come back he said he didn't know"
He wiped his forehead again. That's
rather unpleasant talk for an indulgeut
father to hear, isn't it?" And he wiped
his brow again. s
A sudden wav OF sympathy thrilled
the girl. -sa.
Robert really seems u%ngratefu2," she
said. Fl
Hes a good boy" Roberts father
hastily assured her, land a straightfor-
ward boy. He wouldn't 60 away unless
he had some specially good reason for
going"
And haven't you any idea what that
reason may beT"
II have" said Roberts father quick
ly.
And again he turned his curious
glance upon her.
and doesn't 1t seem sufficient"
She asked this because he evidently
expected her to speak.
NO" y
There was a little pause.
$50 he's goingF
mot IL 1 can prevent It"
81 hope you can, Mr.. Chalmers"
You hope Ican?"
"Why, yes"
He leaned forward.
II don't quite understand you Miss
Susan. Don't you know You a pre-
vent it?''
II prevent TT How, Mr.. Chalmers."
teHis next words we're very impressivs
as well as unexpected.
s"Susan Denham."
~ q, Mr. Iiiaimers.n
Whats wrong between you and my
Roberto"
Susan suddenly gasped-
What do you mean, Mr.. Chalmers?,
What do 1 mean? / mean that It's
in your power to keep my boy at home.
That it's in your power to help me
~,,< my plone IN hoIn ma ID 49,