The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-02-11

inPS or men ana women whose apoS-
tolic missions are or discomfort.
When she collapsed physically under
the strain of her labors as teacher In a
city school the physician had impera.
lively ordered her to get to the open
country if she longcd to live.
Alone IN the world she could not in
dulge in idlcness, and, being exiled
from the schoolroom. she was at loss
which path to take. A friend suggest
ed that she enter homestead in the
west, and It had appealed to her.
Her savings were sufficient to pay
for necessary labor In clearing and
breaking the land until the crops were
dent assurance that her work would
some day repay her. AS an invest
ment. both financial and physical, 1t
delighted her.
Stuart met her In the office of the
locator In the little town which was
the railroad station nearest to her des-
tinnton. One learns to read men and
women ut first sight in the big, pulls
Ing west. ard no half trust Is given.
She was In need of guidance, and
her new found acquaintance became
her counselor aud friend. When she
spoke of getting men TO help her build
the two room frame house that was to
be her home he came himself.
When she offered him the current
wage he accepted 1t, because he UNI
derstood how impossible it was to do
otherwise. but afterward he sent other
men and contented himself with sug.
gestions that in reality amounted to
superintendence
Thus two years had slipped away.
Her health had returned, the glow in
her cheeks told that, and the life in
the open had re-enforced her for her
old vocation--if she cared for it.
She believed it was her career,
though the glamour of existence close
to the heart of nature held charm
she could not deny, and there was
conflict in her mind as to the better
choice.
Then came Stuart's love. She had
grown to like him much, but with a
reservation that he did not measure
up to the ideal she had cherished. She
believed she demanded mental SYM
pathy no less than physical caresses
To make perfect union the man
must appreciate with her the books
that held her, and they would pene-
trate together the mysterious paths of
learning to wisdom. Therein was
Stuart lacking.
Slumber would not come at bidding
the night Stuart told his love- She
tossed fretfully as she tried to evade
the problem before her. Like memo
ries of pain, it refused Punishment.
do / love him? Is he necessary to
me?- He is dear as friend l know.
but beyond thGt-what?" she said to
herself.
When sleep came it was troubled
dreams intruded, and she thought she
saw herself and Stuart galloping side
by side over the prairies to the west
ward. Behind them was an ocean of
fire; the cracking of flames sounded
in her ears; she could feel the hot
wind. born in the heart of the burning
grass. blister her neck.
On and on, with the margin of safe
ty growing narrower until within
dozen jumps of the furrowrthat would
balk the fire. Her horse stumbled in
gopher hole, regained his poise, blum
dered again, and she was thrown to the
prairie.
Jim" she cried.
The flames were upon her now. He
slid from his horse, gathered her in his
arms, holding her face close to his
breast to shield her from suffocation.
and staggered across the safety line
with the angry flames turning to a
sullen. dead red, as if crying out male
dictions on her rescuer for depriving
them of their prey.
Jim, JIM" she shrieked in her de-
iriunl. Suppose l had lost you!"
There was a rapping at the door.
Consciousness slowly returned to her;
she shook recollections of the night
mare from her.
"What's the matter, Edith? Are you
hurt:"
mo; I'll be out in n minute. Wait"
And she hastily dressed.
you're ill.," he exclaimed when she
You are ghostly pale"
"Oh, jim, I've had such a dreamn
she said.
Dreams are silly things. Edith.
Surely you would not let one frighten
YOU" he soothingly said.
But this one did. And, Jim, know
now," and her head dropped to hide
he flush of her cheeks.
"YesT' said Jim.snot comprehending. |
"What you asked me yesterday"
Sweetheart! And your answerY' He |
ran to her.
"Yes, jim, l love you" And in the |
embrace that followed disappeared the |
of troublesome phioso-
'hies in the depth of an emotion prlmi- ,
i've and elemental.