The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-11-06

In the spring. 20
/ After weeks Of drizz1e and show
er, the day before the wedding broke
bright and clear, an excellent omen.
Early in the morning Olaf drove to
town to dispose of some cattle, while
Lars attended to his routine duties
about the barn. Once Lena called him
to the door to admire some beautiful
white mitts which she had finished,
but with the exception of this Incl
dent there was nothing to remind him
of the event of the morrow. At noon
Olaf returned in excellent humor,
condition induced ostensibly by a new
account at the Spring Valley store,
though more particularly by several
drinks of raw alcohol enjoyed before
starting for home.
Him a fine faller," he said admir-
ingly, as he showed the hoe to Lars.
Put him in the barn." Lars did so,
then joined the others at dinner.
Half an hour later the two men re-
turned to work, while Lena busf9d
herself with her household duties.
She was humming softly-wfth
thoughts somewhat remote from the
subject of sh-washing-when angry
voices in the yard aroused her frcm
her reverie. She listened-her ia
Their and Lars were quarreling. She
ran to the window, then to the door.
Out near the stable the two men were
engaged in a heated argument, while
a broken hoe, her fathers trophy of
the morning, explained the nature of
the trouble.
Ordinarily Lena would have left
them to settle their own disputes;
such differences were not infrequent,
and were soon forgotten when the
supply of angry words was exhausted.
But instead of re-entering the house,
she ran down the steps and flew to-
ward the barn. Without warning Olaf
had raised his fist and struck Lars
full in the face!
Without a thought of consequences
she seized her fathers arm as he
was about to strike again.
Don't you hit HIM" she cried des-
perately. Don't you do it,"
With an oath Olaf turned, while
Lars lay cringing on the ground. The
older man was in frenzy-the alco-
hoi was now producing an effect quite
contrary to that at first in evidence.
With jerk he tore his arm free from
her grasp.
Don't you hit him!" she shrieked
again. Lars, still dazed by the first
blow, made no move to defend him
self.
Olaf paused. His appraised arm
dropped and his anger seemed sud
denly to abate. But there was an evil
look in his eye as he said roughly:
"Ay'll not hit him. You go to the
house, Az tai you!''
Lena weakened. Never before had
she ventured to face her father
wrath. Her interference had been i'm
pulsive-an instructive effort to pro-
tect the man she loved But now, as
she realized what she had done, her
temerity forsook her.
Go to the house, Ay tai you!" re-
peated Olaf.
Submissively she went, but with
dire misgivings. She hurried inside,
anxious to escape the sound of re-
newed encounter. But scarcely had
she entered than her father stalked in
behind her and closed the door,
There was an odd smile on his vel
low stubbled face, but he said not
word as he lighted his pipe and took
a chair in the corner. Lena glanced
at him nervously, then went to the
window. Lars had disappeared; evil
IDENTIFY he had gone to his room in the
barn. Feeling that her father was
cycling her stealthily, she returned to
her household work, while several
small brothers and sisters played un-
concernedly about the floor.
moment later she ventured again
to the window, but started back in
surprise. There was Lars, a big red
bundle in one hand, his clumsy black
yalise in the other, walking rapidly
out of the farmyard!
With quick little gasp she faced
her father.
Lars is going!" she exclaimed.
"He-he has his things and is going
away"
"So?" said Olaf There was an un-
pleasant CLEAN in his cold blue eye
and his square jaw was obstinately
set
Impulsively Lena started for the
door, but in a twinkling her fathers
sullen indifference vanished. Roughly
thrusting her aside. he jumped to his
feet and seized the knob, while he
shouted in a tone which sent the
frightened children scampering to the
corner:
He ban gone. He not coming back.
Ay tai you. you skol let him going!"
That was ALL Olaf returned to his
chair while Lena crept to the window
to watch the retreating figure of the
man she had hoped to marry. Lars
did not pause. Not once did he send
SO much as a farewell glance in the
direction of the girl he was DEF erting.
Steadily he trudged along till a bend
In the road shut him of from view
forever!