The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-04

across the fields. wondering what his /
town associates would say could they |
know that he had hired out for dol /
lar and a half q day.
There were only three OF the men at |
supper, and Mrs Binder, with her
daughter Ruth, sat down TO the table |
with them. Ruth had been busy in |
the kitchen during the noon meal, |
while her mother had served. At |
sight of her Corthell was more than
ever glad he had taken the job.
Ruth reminded him of the little girl
who had been his first boyish sweet
heart She had died Just after he had
gone to the city, and in the ABSORB
ton OF business he had come TO divide
women into two classes-stenograph
and scrubwomen. For the first time
In years he felt more than passing
interest in a woman, and when he and
Ruth sat on the steps he rested his
tired body against the railing and chat
ted until bedtime
Ruth, he learned, taught school in
winter, and, further, she was a gradu-
ate of a well known woman's college.
She, on her side, recognized in him
person better educated than the other
farm hands and plainly showed her
interest
The next few days Corthell toiled
from daybreak to shutdown for the
sake of those quiet evenings in the
summer dusk, and love grew rapidly in
their hearts.
Each found in the other traits to
admire, and CortheH watched with
dread the progress of the harvest. In
a few days only the regular hired man
would be needed, and this knowledge
gave Corthel courage to speak.
They were leaning over the top rail
4 of the fence that lay beside the road
4 Mrs. Binder, who was the organist at
the village church, was practicing the
! Sunday music at the cheap organ IN
the parlor. The old familiar hymns
were softened by distance and reused
/ in Cortheu a flood of memories.
81 suppose I shall be through by the
end of the week." said he. ''Will you
be sorryT'
at shall be very sorry. VIII your
at hope 1 shall not have to be very
sorry" he whispered. 81 hope to carry
with me your promise that may come
for you again. WIN you promise. dear ?
l know am almost a stranger, but
love you, sweetheart Can you trust
me?"
81 do trust you," she said when
you have made a home for me, come
for me. Do not be discouraged If the
struggle is hard. will wait patiently
until you get a start, and then we can
fight the world together"
She put her hand trustingly in his,
and the brown head and the one
whose black hair was slightly streaked
with gray drew together.
Mice doings," snorted Hiram Bind
er, as he stepped forth from the shad-
ows. Haven't you more pride. Ruth
than to fall in love with a tramping
farm hand, and after all the education
I've given you? Why, you could mar.
~ a man with farm of his own"
I'D rather marry the man I love, y
Ruth said stoutly. IT have told Will
that l will marry him when he can
make a home for me, and mean it"
Binder blinked. Ruth had inherited
from him the stubbornness that was
tradition in that part OF the country
and he knew that she meant what
she said
you'll have to wait for a long
time" he said with a sheer, as he
turned away to cover his defeat
Hes got S24 comm to him to start
with"
II think I can manage IT" inter
rupted Corthell with a happy laugh
''You see $24 added to about 100000
makes about $100,024. I ought to be
able to start a home on that"
'eYou amt that Corthell?" demanded
Binder with an emphasis that showed
that be read the papers. What art
you dom here?"
Looking for health and a wife" BIZ
answered, land I've found both"
He watched his father-in-law-to-b t
stump across the grass to the house
then he turned to the girl. ''You dom
mind, do you, Ruth? It will not make
any difference will itT'
mot In my love-" she answered sim
ply, 'sbut 1 would rather have made
the fight with you"