The Prescott daily news., 1907-12-04
THE END OF
 HER FARMING
ny EVA ROBERTSON
(Copyright.)

hCiSnbolo dS tO uOW DCtty lululc was to be arranged.
 They were not left long in doubt, | and after 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 a livelihood for herself and her boys. Hans, the big German, whom she had hired to run the farm, was so 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 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 a 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 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 Katrna'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 "Oh, yes, thank you. I believe will,"
 Betty hailed his appearance with de- light, and hastened 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.
 Tt will 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 I do so dread having a stranger come here," and Betty held the door hospitably 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?" 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, 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 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 practical light, and to Betty it amounted to this: John want ed her to marry him because he was in need of housekeeper. All her pride rose in rebellion against the idea.
 No. John," she said decidedly. Let's not talk about it any more for it 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 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 ner next morning to see the man. The