Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-05-06

down upon n little cabin on the dry
prairies of western Kansas, lighting
up the faces of young man and wo-
man who were slowly walking up and
down the open space before the door.
81 was SO happy, Rachel" the man
said, CHANGING at the strong, beautiful
face of his companion, "when heard
your school up in the Wyoming noun.
tains was closed and you were coming
home. I thought you were coming to
stay this time. hope so, for, Rachel.
I've loved you a long time"
Dan Southland leaned toward the girl
to study the effect Of his avowal on
her.
, But Rachel Winton betrayed no emo.
ton.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
off across the moonlit prairie.
1--WE been working and waiting, Ra-
chel," he continued, his voice husky
with feeling, until l had something
to offer you. l was sure you wouldn't
give up teaching for just anything
you're not that kind
"But I've loved you ever since two
years ago, when we all came out to
these prairies together in our covered
wagons. l remember, after we were
here, how bravely you worked to help
your parents get started off comfort
ably before you went with your uncle
to Wyoming to teach that ranch
school,"
Dan" she exclaimed almost stern
", 81 haven't ceased to remember our
old house, which father lost on that
security debt. the home we were
forced to leave when we came here.
Mother and | were not very brave,
for we shed tears most of the way,
though no one knew it. We came be-
cause it was the only thing to do, but
this pioneer life is a hard, hard one
"In my heart l am at war with it
and always have been. 1t takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
billions. See how mother has aged
during the two years we have lived
here. 1t makes me bitter. That's why
l go back to teach. I'm going to make
enough to take them away from this
life"
But, Rachel" he pleaded, you
shall never work rs your mother has
had to, l promise it, then suddenly,
with catch in his voice, Say, grille
there's no truth in the report about
your caring for that rich Wyoming
ranchman|
MIR. Miles has been very kind tC
me-" she answered without pretending
not to understand. He has offered tC
| let father and mother have the lovely
home he owns in Denver if I'll marry
him. 1t would be an ideal place fol
them to end their days in"
MY God, girliel l couldn't stand il
to see you the wife of another!' the
young man cried, his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
You mustn't care so much, Dan,
she returned, tender pity for his suf
fering making her tones kind. "Get
a better girl to share your home-one
who will love you enough to make the
best of this hard life"
Never, never. Rachel!' he answer
ed, with passion. 81 love only you
If you could but read my heart and
see how much you would surely care
just a little for me. Your ranchman
rich as he is, will never love you as
do, Rachel Never"
II couldn't love any man wei
enough to give up all l enjoy and set
tie down to this isolated life, this con
tinual treadmill Of drudgery," she re
torted, turning away, then in mildel
tone, Forget me, Dan"
Forget her! That he would never
do-he never could. There was time
it was when they lived in their GOV
cred wagons and camped at night by
the trail; yes, and even after they
were settled here-that he had thought
she cared for him.
Those had been the happiest days II
Southard's life. He had never dream
ed that she hated those free, rolling
prairies so intensely.
Blind to this, he had been toiling OF
his new claim to get things in good
shape before asking her to marry him
Bitterly now he felt that it was al
labor lost, for without Rachel Wintor
nothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl a moment in
silent reproach Southland walked over
to his tethered horse, mounted and
rode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rache
stood looking after the vanishing
horseman.
Poor Dan" she murmured. "He
is so strong and good. Father and
mother love him like a son, but just
can't, can'tr' And the tears gathered
in her eyes,
II was intended for something bet
ter. If l wasn't, why should dislike
the rough, crude ways Of pioneer life
80 terriblyT
With this question ON her lips Rache