The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-08-12
Continued from PAGE 9

face with cool water. and Jimmy and
johnny were tanning her with their
tattered straw hats jackson stood
back and looked solemnly on. and his
distress was none the less great be.
cause he was not crying.
Can we do anything?" asked Con-
way as the two looked in Mt the door.
II am better now," said Mrs. Bas-
com weakly. but gratefully, raising her
head from the shabby old lounge where
the children had placed her. 1T will
soon pass away; it always does"
IF we can do anything began
Nickerson slowly.
Wont you come Ing invited Mrs
Bascom. With feeble attempt to be
hospitable. "Lyddy. set chairs for the
gentlemen"
The dusk was fast deepening. The
cloud wall had spread across the sky,
and few great drops of the coming
storm were FLASHING down.
Much obliged to you, mom." return
ed Conway, but If we can't lie Of any
help we'll ride on. Is there any place
near here where we can git accommo-
dations for the night?"
The nearest house is two miles
away" said Mrs. Bascom. You can't
ride on in the storm. You are welcome
to put your horses in the barn and stop
here
The men made a show of remon-
STRANGE.
I'VE needn't eat much" Nickerson
whispered to his comrade. IAN we can
pay for what we git"
The horses were hardly under shell.
ter before the rain increased to down.
pour.
Where" began Conwny-"that is,
is your husband comm home soon?"
"IIe is dead" answered Mrs. Bas-
com.
by this time she was able to sit up
on the rude lounge.
"Lyddy." she said, "sct out Il bite
for the gentlemen to eat We haven't
got much. but you're welcome to what
there is"
"Thank We. mcm." returned Conway
awkwardly.
The children were shy Mt first. but
when the frugal meal was over and
the men We're sitting back from the
table while Lyddy cleared it off little
Jackson advanced gravely and climb
cd on Conway's knee.
"W'cre you dom. mister?' be asked.
FLUSH, Jacksonw said his mother.
6nh fnct 10av q fol "
said Conway. me an Nickerson are
on our way back to the old Indiana
home We left twenty-five years ago."
what part Of lndianaY' asked the
widow. with pitiful eagerness.
Screen county-Spencerville."
The woman's eager hook faded away.
I'VE are from BuEtis." she said.
can we're dom back dere pretty
soon! spoke up Jackson cheerfully.
THAT 50, mom?' asked Conway
heartily. That's good!"
"1-I-we.- began the widow weak
~.
She glanced at the children, and
there was an undercurrent of hope
lessness in her low voice that told the
men that. though she did not wish to
destroy the hope Of the children. she
felt little for herself.
Yes, mom." interrupted Conway,
understanding. 1T costs heap Of
money fright heavy rain fallin',
hain't it?"
II dot money" Jackson uttered tri-
umphantly. in my bank! We dom
pretty Soon
lie scrambled down from Conway's
knee.
did my bank, Yyddy" he COM
manded. When it was handed down
to him he brought It triunlphantly to
Conway.
Money! be chuckled. Dom back
to Indiana pretty soon!"
Nickerson saw that there were tears
in the Widows eyes.
want to look at my knife jack
son." he asked. producing huge,
many bladed affair. with corkscrew
in the back.
Jackson grasped 1t, marveled and
was silent. Presently he fell asleep
in Conway's lap. with the huge knife
in his clutch.
The men. with awkward kindness,
tried to talk of other things. but Mrs.
Bascom kept returning to the one sub.
ject ever In her thoughts-the old
home.
Il have been hoping for years to
CO." she said, "but"-
Same way with us, momw returned
Conway. "Me an Nickerson got to-
gether four years ago-we came from
the same old town at about the same
time, but never happened to meet
again till four years ago-an' ever
since we've been fggerin' on takin' a
ta'nt back there. but never got to it
till now. We've finally managed to
save up enough to make the trip"
Presently the widow told them a
part Of her story. She CLOSED over