The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-10-09

across the fields. wondering what his
town associates would say could they
know that he had hired out for dol
lar and half 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 stenOgraphers
and scrubWOmen. For the first time
In years he felt more than passing
interest In 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 gradu-
ate of a well known woman's college.
She, on her side, recognized In him a
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
q 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
sof 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 i'll
the parlor The old familiar hymns
were softened by distance and reused
in Corthell flood of memories.
II suppose / shall be through by the
end Of the week." said he. "Will you
| be sorry?'
"You know that" she said simply.
II shall be very sorry. Will your"
IT hope 1 shall not have to be very
sorry" he whispered. II hope to carry
with me your promise that may come
for you again. VIII you promise, dear
l know l am almost a stranger, but
love you, sweetheart. Can you trust
met"
II 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,s snortedI Hiram Bind
er, as he stepped forth from the shad
ows. Haven't you more pride, Ruth
than to fall in love with trampins
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 love,
Ruth said stoutly. Il have told Will
that / will marry him when he cal
make home for me, and | mean it.
Binder blinked. Ruth had inherite'
v from him the stubbornness that wa
tradition in THAT part Of the country
and he knew that she meant wha
she said.
you'll have to wait for a lon
time" he said with a sneer, as h
turned away to cover his defeat
Hes got 1924 comm to him to star
with"
81 think I can manage it." inter
rupted Corthell with happy laugh
''You see $24 added to about $4,000
makes about $1OO,024. l ought to b
able to start home on that"
"You amt that Corthell?' demande
Binder with an emphasis that showe
that be read the papers. What ar
you dom here?"
Looking for health and wife," h
answered, ''and I've found BOTH
He watched his father-in-law-to-b
stump across the grass to the house
then he turned to the girl. "You dom
mind, do you, Ruth? 1t will not max
any difference will itY' IS
"Not in my love-" she answered sim
ply, "but would rather have mad
the fight with you"