The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-09-05

across the fields. wondering what his
town associates would say could they
know that he had hired out for a dol
lar and Il half a day.
There we're only three of the men at
supper. ana Mrs Binder, with her
daughter Ruth, sat down to the table
with them Ruth had been busy in
che 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 CIR!
who had been his first boyish sweet
heart. She had died just after he had
gone to the city, ard 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 q passing
interest ina woman, and when he and
Ruth satT OH the steps he rested his
tired body against the railing and chat
ted until bedtime.
Ruth, lie learned taught school in
winter, and, further, she was gradu-
ate of well known woman's college.
She, on her side, recognized in him a
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 Corthell watched with
dread the progress of the harvest. In
few days only the regular hired man
would be needed, and this knowledge
gave Corthell courage to speak.
They were leaning over the top rail
of the fence that lay beside the road.
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 Corthell a flood Of memories.
81 suppose shall be through by the
end of the week." said he. will you
be sorryT'
"You know that" she said simply.
II shall be very sorry. Will your
81 hope I shall not have to be very
SORRY" he whispered II hope to carry
with me your promise that may come
for you again. Will you promise, dear?
l know l am almost stranger, but
love you, sweetheart. Can you trust
me?''
at 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 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 tramping
farm hand, and after all the education
I've given you? Why, you could mar
ry man with a farm of his own" -
I'D rather marry the man / love-"
Ruth said stoutly II have told Will
that l will marry him when he can
make a home for me, and l 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 $24 comm to him to start
with"
'I think l can manage it." inter
rupted Corthell with a happy laugh.
'You see $24 added to about 100000
makes about S10O,024. l ought to be
able to start a home on that"
"You amt that CorthellY' demanded
Binder with an emphasis that showed
that be. read the papers. What are
you dom lhere?"
Looking for health and wife, he
answered, "and I've found both"
He watched his father-in-law-to-be
stump across the grass to the house,
then he turned to the girl. you don't
mind, do you, Ruth? 1t will not make
any difference will itY'
''Not in my love- she answered sim
ply, "but l would rather have made
the fight with YOU"