Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-07-16


his face when he t7ent down TO the
library. where the recent mall was
waiting his attention.
Yes. he was well content to be at
home again, and yet he was conscious
that a vague something still was lack
ing. He sat over the unopened letters
and wondered what this new feeling
might be, yet dinner time came with
the solution as far away as ever.
The well served meal with its few
simple dishes was relief after the
elaborate dinners Of the ocean liner
and the still more elaborate functions
abroad. Mrs. Graham beamed her sat
isfaction when he was moved to praise
the cooking.
81 was afraid that after the English
roast beef you would not care for
this" she said.
"As though there was any COMPARE
son. scoffed Graham as he realized
that Jean was looking unusually well
in her all black gown.
He rather regretted the end Of the
meal and the custom which decreed
that he should be left alone with his
work after dinner. The library seemed
rather dull, and he was still conscious
Of that strange sense Of a want unsup-
piled.
For a time he worked over his pa
pers, but a growing dissatisfaction
caused him to stop. Impatiently he
thrust the papers aside, and, lighting
fresh cigar, he walked over to the win
dow and pulled the smoke out into the
silver moonlight while he analysed his
feelings.
To his surprise, he found that, after
all, he was glad to get back. He had
had pleasant time, he had enjoyed
being lionized, and yet not one Of his
titled hostesses had made the slightest
effort to provide the little things that
more than the great ones make for
comfort There had always been
hired housekeeper to look out for his
comfort, and the fair chatelaine had
been left free for her firtations and
her bridge
1t had been comfortable to find Jean
across the table from him, to realize
that she was there to see to his com.
fort, to perform the thousand and one
little services of love. 1t was Jean
whom he had missed all the afternoon.
She had effaced herself, as she always
had done, and he had missed her.
The thought came upon him with the
vxfa~ ~ 1Dxxx IL hn1 nd
meeting her as the steamer had come
up the bay, and already he was regret
ting her absence He had rallied
against his dun colored life, and he had
regretted that Jean was not like the
people he had met.
Now he knew that this quiet life was
what he liked best He would not
have Jean other than what she was.
Disillusionment had come already In
the reaction of the home atmosphere.
1t was his own fault that Jean was
not more to him than she had been.
He had himself thrust her into that
place. He was still bordering his dis
covsry when his wife entered.
us there anything you want. GrantT
she asked as she paused on the thresh-
old. II arl going up to my room I'M
less there was something that you
need"
II need you." said Graham as he
came toward her. II have been want
ing you for a year, and / have just
found 1t out. Why. do You know, Jean,
that as came up the bay / was sorry
that / was coming home to exchange
the whirl of the last few weeks for
the dullness of the life we lead
sand now / find that life very pleas
ant, and have made the most aston
ishing discovery Of all-that love my
wife very much indeed"
She saw in his eyes a look that she
had not seen since his courtship years
before, and she gave happy little
laugh as she laid her head upon his
shoulder. The husband that she loved
had come home to her, and Cupid had
come with him across the seas.
Through his very discomfort Graham
had found contentment.