Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1908-01-31

to be auctioned off. Mrs. Brewster
had decided that the northwest Offer
ed greater opportunities for her hus-
band, and they were to move to Mani
toba and start afresh in the wheat
belt.
Mrs. Brewster hustled into the room.
"Come and eat some supper" she COM
manded. Don't sit there looking as
though you were too weak to walk.
I've done twice as much as you have
today. and I got the supper, too, but
I don't look half as tired as you do.
Stop incoming here in the dark. and
come out and have a cup of tea
II don't feel like eating" answered
Vesta, the sobs rising in her throat.
To this woman the abandonment of
the home meant nothing. She could not
understand what it meant to the girl.
Mrs. Brewster turned away.
you'll be hungry by and by" she
said sharply. "There'll be some cold
things in the pantry. but I'm not going
to make any more tea
She hustled out and left Vesta to her.
self. YEARLY the girl rose from the
box and left the house. She could
hear her father laughing and joking
with her stepmother, and the noise of
mirth fell extensively upon her ears. ::
The dusk was deepening to dark and
the air was chill, but Vesta did not feel
the need Of shawl. She wandered
down the road. past the white gate to
the little bridge that spanned the creek.
Here she loved to lean upon the rail
and watch the sunset over the fertile
fields. The sun had long since dropped
below the hills, but the girls over
wrought imagination could conjure up
the scenes Of the past. She leaned
upon the rail and looked out across the
fields. now bristling with the frost
kissed stubble. She could see again
the glories of the waning day. She
could almost hear voice whispering
In her ear.
Her hands ciutched the rough bark
Of the wood as in memory she lived
over that night when she had sent Ben
Folsom away because she thought it
her duty to. remain with her father and
console him for his loss. She thought
Of the sharp faced woman who was
sitting opposite him at the kitchen ia
BILE discussing their new home in the
west, and then she thought Of the gem
tie faced woman who still lived In her
daughters heart, II not in her hus-
bands. ." -
So lost was she in her thoughts that
she never heard the quick tread Of an
approaching pedestrian nor needed his
presence. until a brown hand closed
over her slender fingers: ~ =. ~,
"Did startle your demanded Ben
40 she started back with cry. II
was on my way to your house. ~ got
In this afternoon and heard the news.
Do you want to go to Canada, Vestag'
Il would rather die" she murmured
passionately... 1T Is like q second
| burial to go away and leave mother
| up there on the hill all alone" 5$=s"&. :,
"And your sfather?" he asked gently.
''Do you still feel that be needs you
more than I dor -, , .,jT> T., !.
"How much do you need me7' she
demanded shyly. Il #, ! !. j5s,3 II: :, Z: 5
$50 much that have come almost
across the continent to ask you again
IL you viii marry me-" he declared.
~ have done well out west far bet
ter than I anticipated. i can buy the
farm. Perhaps we can arrange with
your father to buy the furniture, too.
and--we win make a new home where
the old one was Are you willing.
dear?,, $ssy s 4. h K Il 93 S $ & 5 n.
mot TOR the sake Of d home, = said
Vesta softl but because you want
me, Ben, and-be cause j want you, TOO,
Gear II z. 5I|I 81