The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-12-12
A WIFE'S:
LOVE
BY DOROTHY DEANE
(Copyright.)

(Copyright.)
Lige Bennett walked to town that
morning because the horse was lame
It was five miles, and cold, but he
allowed to make 1t in couple of
hours, and he'd keep warm walking.
Mandy watched him from the kitch-
end door as he went down the road,
then she turned back to where Lidy
was washing dishes in a spiritless
kind Of way.
cts Jest year since your pa quit
drinking" she said. II believe he's
going to stick to it this time"
Lidy's face frightened. She was a
pale girl, with wide, gray-brown eyes
and hair of pale shade that harmon
lied DULY with her face. She was 13
and had never been very strong. Her
mother was wiry little woman with
black hair, dark blue eyes, deep set,
a straight nose, and mouth that
closed in very decided fashion.
It turned cold that afternoon, bitter
cold. Lige was not home by dark, SO
Lidy and her mother did the milk
Ing and the chores. They waited sup
per till seven, then they ate theirs
and set his in the oven to keep
warm.
II don't see why your pa don't
come" Mandy said coming back
from the gate where she had gone
to listen a dozen times or more.
They sat down again over the
kitchen fire. They were usually in
bed long before this time, and Lidy
was sleepy, but her mother was
nervously alert.
When the clock struck nine, she
got up. I'm going over to Martins"
she said; maybe they saw your pa
to-day"
Lidy reused herself suddenly. "You
don't s'pose pas"
."No, I DON'T" said Mandy fiercely.
Something's the matter, but faint
that l know it amt that
"Let me go too," said Lidy, getting
her hood.
"No, we mustn't leave the house
alone. I'll take King along
Martins II be all asleep by this
time"
"Ill wake EN-" answered Mandy,
grimly.
King bounded up to her as she
opened the door. She stopped min
ute to pat the great, handsome fell
low and put her arms around his
neck. king, old fellow" she said
with half sob, "Lige amt come
home. We must go find him."
1t was a quarter of mile to
Martins. The house was dark. but
she knocked and called.
"'Who's there?" asked Joe Martin,
from within.
cts me-Mandy Bennett. Lge
amt got home"
Martin opened the door after min
ute's delay, and Mandy went inside.
"Lige amt got home!" said Joe.
why, passed him about five o'clock,
just outside of town. I'd "a took him
in the buggy, but Sally was along. an
the baby. an we had a lot of things"
Whats the matter, Joe?" asked his
wife. querulously, from the bedroom.
"lt's Mandy; she's lookin' for Lige.
He amt home yet
Well, it amt the first time" said
Sally. PITY she has to come and
wake us up this time of night. I'd let
him go, if was her.
Likely he stopped in somewhere"
Joe said; Il wouldn't worry, Mandy"
Mandy was shivering. She took hold
of the door knob to steady herself.
Joe Martin, Lige wasn't" The
words ended in choke.
WELL" said Joe slowly, ut was
pretty dark and l couldn't see very
we'll, but l guess he was all right; l
guess he was, Mandy" He put his
hand on her shoulder in an awkward
attempt to comfort her. Il guess he
will get home all right"
Mandy drew her shawl around her.
Her face looked gray and drawn in
the half-dark room; there was no
light but the dying fire. She went out
into the night again and heard Joe
shut the door behind her.
| VII, Lulu, ouS 6olu, IL CAL I Dc
that! Don't let it be that"
King looked up into her face and
whined softly, vaguely troubled.
When Lidy woke up the room was
gray with the dawn. She was still in
the chair by the kitchen stove, with
her head on the table. The fire had
died out hours ago; she was stiff and
sore. At first she could not think
how she came to be there. She looked
about her in the gray light and shiv-
cred in the deadly chill of the room.
The utter silence of the house fright.
ened her. She went into the little bed.
room; it was unoccupied; the front
room too, was empty. She went back
to the kitchen. shaking with cold and
tear.
When she had laid and lit a fire. she
heard the cows lowing impatiently in
the barn; the horse neighed for his
breakfast. They must be attended to-.