The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-06-02

lawn, and if he'll eat the grass for me
it will save cutting it,
Madge thanked him and Invited
him to stay for supper. In view Of the
fact that he had furnished the supper
she could not well do otherwise. even
had she so desired, which most emphat-
ically she did not.
He looked at Cicely good deal while
they ate-Cicely was very good to look
upon-but his conversation was adj
dressed for the most part to Madge
As a matter of fact, it had to be
that way. Cicely's accumulated woes
pressed SO heavily upon her that she
was utterly Incapable of anything be-
yond an occasional subdued Yes" and
mo"
Madge, however, chatted gayly. TIC
her mind the situation was decidedly
tolerable and growing more so every
minute. And when next she looked
upon the bleak vista of rocks that
made up the immediate landscape she
found it almost attractive
'The only hope" observed Madge,
'has come home again.
Cicely joined her in the doorway.
"And he's thinner than ever" she de-
clared pessimistically
Then Mr.. Ellwood came into view
He was doing an elaborate imitation
of man who has been running fast.
He got loose he painted. "And
I've been following
''Yes," Madge broke in genially. 81
know you have. I've been watching
you down the road for the last five
minutes" She waved a hand toward
the mule. Il never in all my life" she
said, saw anybody so reluctant to
take advantage of a handicap. How
on earth did you induce him to get
here first?"
Mr.. Ellwood had the grace to blush
Tits very warm day." he STAN
mered, tactfully trying to shift the
conversation to a safe topic of general
interest
ut is" Madge agreed "And l don't
believe so much exercise is good for
the mule. Besides, it will take a lot
of your time to lead him home with
you every night and dri-follow him
back here every morning. Why don't
you bring his meals to him."
every day." inquired Mr.. Ellwood
hopefully.
well, 1 really think he ought to be
fed every day, but I'll leave that tc
you
Cicely. who wondered miserably at
her friends high spirits, had retired
into the other room, hopping her eyes
''She doesn't like it," Madge observed
confdentially to Mr.. Ellwood.
"And no wonder" he rejoined SYM
pathetically. You're going to stay?"
he added.
eve must" said Madge, "for we've
no money to get away on. And any
way" she added after a moments
pause, 81 believe it isn't going to be
half bad"
IF l can help it." said Mr. Ellwood
heartily, Its net"
He was as good as his word. and
better For Cicely he brought ham
mock and flowers in pots and many
little comforts that helped to render
her life more tolerable He treated
her as might an elder brother low
able but incapable sister.
But Madge was his comrade and
friend. She had assumed the burdens
Cfcely was incapable Of bearing. and
he very naturally thought her the own
of 70
that wrested her hardly won garden
from the rocky soil and her sturdy in
dependence that always returned favor
for favor. His own little place took |
on an added value because she had |
approved it. He gave the house
new coat Of paint and planned when
the crops should have been harvested |
to build a bigger porch. And he |
evolved little conveniences for the |
kitchen. shelves and closets and -four |
bin. things of which his masculine
housekeeping had not felt the need He |
whistled as he worked. and before him
there was ever a girls face. a laugh
ing face growing daily roster and more
sunburned-and happier
"The only hope" observed Cicely
complacently. as certainly growing
fat. II we could sell him by the pound
rs they do beef on the hoof,' | think
they call II. we'd get quite lot for
him."
Hes too fat" Madge objected. "He
looks stuffed l think you feed him
too much. Cicely. If Mr. Ellwood were
at home I'd ask him to take q look at
him. I'm quite certain his eyes ought
not to have that CLASSY stare"
Later in the day the only hope sue
cumbed.
II don't really blame him for dying"
said Cicely, who was weeping over the
remains. Il suppose he was just nat
1rally tired and discouraged and didn't
,are whether he lived or died-Tve felt
hat way myself-but / do think it was
most inconsiderate Of him.
He might at least" said Madge,
have gone off and done it somewhere
Else. Then we could have pretended
4 T.