The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-04-22

"Why?"
That's a mans work. That buckets
too heavy"
"Pshaw! I could carry two If 'em
easy" She made a little run and be-
gan pumping vigorously.
Here, let me do that"
"All right. It's most full, anyway"
She stood aside with a swing.
Those great lubbers in there never
think OF helping a oma They
bucket before 1t was fairly fun and
was skipping toward the house.
Say, Miss Hartswick. wait-I want
to tell you something. Wait. please"
He followed her eagerly. At the door
she stopped with a firt and looked
back.
will you go to walk with me to-
morrow at 80" he blurted out.
"Tomorrow's Sunday"
yes; I know tin the orchard-IIl
be by the old arbor seat. Say. will
you?"
She looked down at him archly for a
moment, then h laughed as IL he We're
O very small boy who had proposed to
her. An instant and she swirled about
and through the door. A burst of
laughter greeted her appearance with
the bucket.
"Too slow!" he heard a voice. n
there was another roar.
He wheeled abruptly; he would go
for his team: he had finished his din
ner; what use to face their jeers?-
the dinner was over anyway. The 9th
ers appeared after a moment; in 30
minutes the long caravan Of farm
wagons was off towards Gum Run.
Young Jim lived the next "a hours
between alternate hope and fear.
Would she come or not? OF course
she wouldn't. Why should she? But
who could tell what Rose Hartswick
might do? He was in the orchard an
hour ahead OF time.
h place was moro than a mere or
chard. 1t was a park, with paths and
evergreens and a long windbreak to
protect the house from the winter
storms. The old squire for years had
made a hobby of 1t, identifying it little
by little until now 1t was really notable
with It's Enthusiastically arranged fruit
trees. Its row OF spruces, and it's rustic
benches scattered here and there along
the walks.
At the point nearest the house there
was a little arbor surrouned by thick
evergreens-an ideal spot. retired, yet
commanding perfectly a view of the
farm buildings and yard. Young Jim
SAM upon the low seat n scanned
she came at all, doubtless she would
come straight up the path; hat was
the way she did things.
Then his eye detected something that
troubled him. The buggy in the yard
was lighter and gayer than the quire's.
That was Karl Keichline's buggy. The
sleek postmaster was in the house there
now. wooing Rose-doubtless asking
her to be his wife, and she would ac-
cept. She was practical and sensible;
of course she would take him. He had
everything to offer her, everything a
woman could ask. Why should she
think Of Jim Farthing, who had neither
Il 1nOnev nor nrO9nocfQ wh0 wac olp,cSk
unknown to her in every way? 1t was
ridiculous. Moreover, the old Squire
hated him and had ordered him off his
premises.
There boiled within him a sudden
hatred that was primeval in it's in
tenstty, a hatred that fumed into his
soul and bit and blinded him, a hatred
of this prosperous clod who was buy
ing with gold and lands the body and
soul of the woman whom God, he knew,
had made for him.
1t was past three now and the min
utes dragged on and on, until it was
near four; but still he sat there mo-
tionles as a panther on a snag, his
chin in his hands. looking at the old
stone mansion and Karl Keichline's
buggy. It was fate. mere blind fate.
that settled things in this world. There
was no Justice and no God. What right
had this man of pork and money to
step in and buy her as IL she were a
mere chattel? BY the eternal! fate or
no fate he should not. Indeed he should
gain her. IL 1t cost him his very soul.
But yet what could he do?
Thus he sat and fumed n ragged
and despaired and hoped and planned.
and did not hear the steps on the path
until they were close upon him. He
been caught doing a crime. and faced
Squire Hartswick. The old man had
been taking his favorite Sunday walk.
Fol q they looked into each
others eyes like two carnivorous
beasts that have come suddenly upon
a voice that was q snari.
What are you doing here?" The
whole situation flashed pom him. The
man could be there for only one thing
TO meet Rose. Could 1t be an APP
pointment? The thought clutched at
his throat and choked him.
Why, I've just been walking through
your orchard. Squire Hartswick. No
harm, I hope"
Say. young man"-he came very
near to Jim. a black ook Of wrath on
his face. Remember what I told YOU
the other day? Did you hear what I
here for now? You tell me the truth.
You came here to see my daughter.
Isn't that true? Now don't you lie to
me"
Yes, sir; I did. but"
There's no but about it. You came
to see her. Had she promised to meet
you?"
NO sir: she hadn't
Ibid she know you was coming??"
II told her l was coming here
And what did she say??"
she didn't say anything
And you are here sneaking round
like a miserable cur and hiding around
bushes. There's no Knowing what
you're planning to do. It's mighty
lucky happened onto you. I'm a good
mind to arrest % here and now"
What for"
commit crime"
Squire Hartswick." he broke out
confusediy. dominated in spite of him
self by the imperious force of the man,
you're taking q good deal for granted.
You surely"
Stop it; stop right off short. know
this whole miserable business from be-
ginning to end. Now let me tell you
Gods truth: ii / ever see you on my
property again or hear of you being on
it. IN put the law to you Just as far
as it'll go"
But, Squire Hartswick. what harm
have / done? What
ut don make no difference what
harm you've done I mean what I say.
i Don't Won aver SneaL IN ry, n o,,rh<or