The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1907-12-26
THE END OF
HER FARMING
by EVA ROBERTSON
(Copyright.)

HttbhOOto 90 ~ s'''
was to be arranged
They were not left long In doubt
and after a year or two OF successful
MANAGEMENT on Betty's part, their
ridicule died a natural death. On the
whole. Betty's first three years might
be called an emphatic success, and
she began to feel comparatively easy
as to the question Of livelihood for
herself and her boys. Hans, the big
German. whom she had hired to run
the farm. was 80 sober, honest and In
dustrious that she unconsciously de
pended upon him in many ways, and
left certain affairs more and more to
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 had
decided to get married.
Poor Betty! How alone she felt
once more. She felt sure 1t would
De impossible to find a man to fill
Hans place, for help was scarce. and
she would have to be satisfied with
some stranger or tramp" as Betty
expressed il.
In another house. half a mile to
the north, KATRINA was trying to ex-
plaln 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
brown study. looking at Katrina, but
seeing far beyond her.
And So" said he, rousing himself
suddenly. you aud Hans think you
viii, try your fortunes out west?'
''if you please. sir, answered Kat
rina, demurely.
but what If | don't please"
Then | think you must talk to
Hans" put in Katrina's mother laugh
ingly.
I'm going past there this afternoon.
and perhaps Id 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 helT
"Oh. yes, thank you. | 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. II had gotten loose. and
she was so afraid of its heels
or coursa 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 win leave us in rather bad
shape, won't it," said John.
Yes. indeed; and I'd like your help,
John. In finding someone to take
Hans place do SO dread having
stranger come here" and Betty held
the door Hospitality for John to enter.
lie could not resist this chance of
freeing his mind. He took Betty's
hand from the door. looking In her
wondering eyes ana Salu.
'Try me in Hans place!"
"You?" 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
housekeeper and you lose your main.
stay. Don't you see, II you marry me
Il 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 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 1t amounted to this: John want
ed her to marry him because he was
In, need OF q housekeeper. All her
pride rose In rebellion against the
idea.
mo, John" she said decidedly
Let's not talk about It any more, for
1t won't do any good. II we don't
speak OF II again. we shall soon for
get 1t and be as good friends as
ever"
Hans hustled into the house that
night with news. He had heard OF a
chance to hire man, and proposed
that Betty ride over to Koontz's Cor
FER next morning to see tho man. The
ride was taken. and the man came for
two weeks on. trial. lie proved to BIO
quite Ignorant OF farm work. but was
quick ana willing to learn. Betty
though not without certain misgivjngs
Asd neArly decided to hire him fol
NE eeas0n when something happened
10 0hanGe her mind entirely.
re twO weeks Of trial was nearly
0v6f. Hans had gone with the bugg,
~ ) not9hboring town. and had takel
~ tovs With him. Tho new man
kasrfnon, ~ been sent With load 3
ernIn n s~xhe Pocket" station nea
II ~. ~ r. - opposite direction Z
~ INN Hans WAS VISITING. Bctt,
1.-xS 49, 80 uaou.xs, - 49, VI III u, :