Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-17
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
when Ben Came Home. BY Lester Rose.
lCnnyrighted. 1907. by Homer SpragmeO

ject how stacked in the wood shed
Very little was to be shipped. for the
way was far and freight rates were
high. Tomorrow the neighbors would
gather and John Berwin would hang
out the red flag. BY niGhtfall the
house would be emptied and its con
tents scattered through the farmhouses
for miles around.
Tears came unbidden to Vesta'sI
eyes as she looked about Her earliest
memories were of the homely living
room with its rag carpet and the com
Portable rocking chairs on either side
of the stove in winter or standing in
front of the north windows in summer,
when the double sashes were taken
down and the wind blew through the
house. softly seemed by the blooms
from the orchard on the other side of
the well kept fence.
1t was the only home Vesta had ever
known. 1t seemed TO the tired girl
that she could never learn TO love an
other half so we'll
Until her mothers death Vesta had
been shielded from all troubles. After
she had come back from the little
burial ground on 4 hill she had found
occupation and forgetfulness in her
efforts TO make her father forget his
loss. She had even refused to marry
Ben Folsom because she had consid-
cred it her duty to stay by her father
and comfort him in his sorrow.
Ben had gone west and she was left
more than ever alone. Then had come
that terrible day, year and week
after her mothers death. when her
father had driven into the yard with
Sadie ConnOrs. who had been teaching
school over at the corners. and had
announced his marriage.
VeSta tried to learn to love this
gaunt. bustling woman. whose every
trait was the antithesis of the woman
| whose place she took, but the new
Mrs. Brewster had repulsed every aa-
vance. She hated young persons. She
had married to be rid OF them, and she
treated the stepdaughter with scant
courtesy.
The ways of the household were
amended to suit her radical tastes
The old rockers were sent TO the attic
as too old fashioned and two upholster
ed monstrosities had taken their places
| The other memorials Of NeSta's mother
| quickly followed the rockers to the
| garnet. and the house was completely
| changed in appearance. as We're the oc-
cupant3 in their attitude toward each
| other.
And now even the old homestead
| was to be given up The fertile farm
was to be sold and the household goods
to be auctioned off. Mrs. Brewste:
had decided that the northwest offer
ed greater opportunities for her nus
band. AMI they were to move to Man.
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 waik.
I've done twice as much as you have
today, and / got the supper, too, put
I don't look half as tired as you DO.
Stop incoming here in the dark, and
come out and have cup of tea"
Il 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'n 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. NWearily 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 offensiyely upon her ears.