Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1907-12-20

his management. Imagine then, how
the solid ground seemed to sink from
under her feet when Hans informed
her that he must leave her, as he hac
decided to get married.
Poor Betty How alone she felt
once more. She felt sure it would
be impossible to find man to fill
Hans place, for help was scarce, and
she would have to be satisfied with
some stranger or tramp" as Betty
expressed it.
In another house, half mile to
the north, Kathrina was trying to ex-
plain the state of affairs. She stood
beside the table. looking bashfully at
the floor Her master had pushed
back from his meal and sat in a
brown study, looking at Katrina, but
seeing far beyond her.
And so, said he, rousing himself
suddenly, you and Hans think you
will try your fortunes out west?"
IF you please, SIR answered Kat
rina, demurely.
But what if I don't please?"
Then I think you must talk to
Hans" put in Katrina's mother, laugh
ingly.
I'm going past there this afternoon,
and perhaps I'd better speak to him
about it," with a twinkle in his eye
toward Katrina But what will Betty
Bowers do without Hans!" and as the
thought and other attendant ones
came to John Meade, he. paused with
one sleeve of his coat on and one
off till Katrina came to his aid. Even
then he seemed strangely absent-mind-
ed, and said in return for her help
ooh, yes, thank you. I believe
will"
Betty hailed his appearance with de-
light, and fastened to ask him if he
would help her shut the black colt
in the barn. It had gotten loose, and
she was so afraid of its heels.
OF course John would help, and the
refractory animal was soon stabbed.
Side by side they walked to the house,
talking naturally enough about Hans
and Katrina and their prospective
marriage.
1T will leave us in rather bad
shape, won't it," said John.
Yes, indeed; and Id like your help,
John, in finding someone to take
Hans place. I do so dread having a
stranger come here" and Betty held
the door Hospitality for John TO enter.
He could not resist this chance Of
freeing his mind He took Betty's
hand from the door, looking in her
wondering eyes and. said:
TRY me in Hans place."
"You?1 exclaimed Betty in astonish-
ment
Yes" said John. feeling that he
had gone too far for retreat, and must
now explain himself Hans takes my
and you lose your main
stay Don't you see, if you marry me
it will straighten the whole matter
Hans and Katrina could live here,
and"
But he got no further Betty jerked
her hand from his, and an angry flush
overspread her face His proposal
was a great shock to her, for the
thought of finding a lover in her old
friend John had never crossed her /
mind. But aside from her surprise,
there was another reason for her dis /
pleasure. He had tried to put the
matter in a practical light, and to /
Betty it amounted to this: John want
I'd her to marry him because he was
n need of a housekeeper. All her /
pride rose in rebellion against the
dea.
mo, John" she said decidedly.
let's not talk about it any more, for
t won't do any good. If we don't
speak of it again, we shall soon for
get it and be as good friends as
,ver."
Hans hustled into the house that
light with news He had heard of
nance to hire a man, and proposed
hat Betty ride over to Koontz's Cor
Ter next morning to see the man. The
ide was taken, and the man came for
wo weeks on trial He proved to be
uite ignorant of farm work, but was
uick and willing to learn Betty,
hough not without certain misgivings,
ad nearly decided to hire him for
he season when something happened
o change her mind entirely
The two weeks of trial was nearly
yer. Hans had gone with the buggy
D a neighboring town. and had taken
he boys with him. The new man,
Ierman. had been sent with a load of
rain to The Pocket" a station near
V. and in an opposite direction to
he town Hans was visiting. Betty.
fl alone, had plenty of time to think.
S she sat busily sewing, her eyes
ould turn at times toward Johns
ouse, and she caught herself wishing
lat John would come and go again
5 he used to. He had not been near
nee that eyentful day, and she miss