The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-12-24
CuAPrNR XIX

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length Walter determined TO break the
&ilence. which bad become oppressive. II
did not seem natural for two persons to
bs In the same room 50 long without
speaking word.
II should think you would fnd II lone
ly living in the woods away from any
neighbors" be said.
Il don't care for neighbors," said the
woman. shortly.
Have you lived here iongg"
That's as people reckon time," was the
answer
You don't have far to go for fuel. :"
was the next remark OF our hero.
did you SAP you was book psddlsrY
she inquired.
Il am book agent"
is your business good ons7" she ask
I'd.
7 have done very well so far. but then
] have been at ir only a week"
It's good thing to have money" said
the woman. more 10 herself than to Wal
tar
yes. said Walter sits very eOnven-
lent TO have money: but there are other
fhings that ara BETTER
Such as what7" demanded che woman
abruptly.
Coed health. and good conscience
She laughed scornfully-
tn tell you there's nothing so good
as money. I've wanted 1t all my life.
and never could get IL Do you think
would live here In the woods IL I had
money! No. I should like to be q lady.
and wear 6ne clothes. and drive about
Ia handsome carriage Why are some
people SO lucky. while / live in this mis-
cradle hoIeY'
Perhaps your luck viii change some
day" be said. though be had little Faith
la his own words He wondered how the
tall. g&unt woman of the backwoOds woald
look dressed la silks and satins
Ny luck never viii change" she said |
quickly II must live and die in some
such howell as this-"
My luck has changed" said Walter,
qnietIys @bus IN different way
Howl she asked. betraying in her |
tone some curiosity
A year ago-six months agony faith
ar vas q rich man. or was considered so.
Hs was thought to be worth over a hun
Was swept away. and now / am
obliged to earn my own living. as you
see"
How did your father lose his money!
By specializing In mines
The more fool he y"
sxy father Ia dead said Walter.
xracely Il cannot bear to hear him
blamed"
-Humph'" calculated the woman II
expect yen are hungry"
Yes said Waiter. Il am: bur can
wagt till your husband comes
She took ont from small cupboard
plate of bread and GONE cold meat. and
aid them on the table. Then she steep ,,
I'd some tea, and. when ii was ready. she !
put that also on the table. Walter I'M
Ierstood from this that Supper wss ready,
md. putting on his shoes, which we're
low dry, be moved his chair up.
The woman poured him out some tea :
o ons OF the cracked cups. {
The first sip of the tea. which was .
uite strong. nearly caused q wry ex- q
'ression on Walters face, but be man '
ged to control himself so far as not to J
'etray his want Of relish for the bev- 7
rage his hostess offered him The only u
quality Il had was that it L
sss hot. and. exposed as be had been
0 the storm. warm drink was agree 4
bic v
There's some bread and there's some >
neat" said the woman. you can help 3
ourself~ r
in emptying bis cup Of tea. b
Ts would have taken another cup II there
ad been milk and sugar. but il wa stoo 4
litter TO be Inviting. I
Walter pushed hls chair from the table, n
nd sat down again before the fire. She :
ose and cleared the table, replacing the 0
read and meat Ia the cupboard. There ii
rss silence for another hour Walter u
Tished II were time to go to bed, for o
be presence Of such woman made him h
sel uncomfortable. But It was too early Il
ct to suggest retiring. At length the "a
Hence was broken by step outside d
That's Jack" said the woman, rising
astiIy and over her face there came a 81
rsnssent CLEAN of satisfaction, the arst v
Walter had observed. e
Before she could reach the door II was a
pened, and Jack entered. Walter look
i up with some curiosity to see What Il
ort of q man the husband Of this woman Il
light be. lie saw a stout man, with low II
ring eyes. and matter red hair and q
card
They are City mated thought our fl
ero v
The man stopped short as his glance D
rwted upon Walter. and be turned
uickiy TO his wife.
who have you got here MegY he
aked. 10 a rough voice. !,
~He was overtaken by the storm, and =
-anted me to take him In, and give him
apper and lodging" >,
Hes q boy What brings him into
sese woodsT !,
HE says he's a book peddIer."
Where are his books?T
II have sold them ALL" said Walter. y
'efing called upon to take a personal .,
sare In the conversation.
'sHow many did you havsT
Twenty"
"How much did you charge for themr
Three dollars and a half apiece" :.
That's seventy dollars, Isn't itT
YEA"
well, you can stay here all night II p
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