Sisseton Posten. [volume] (Effington, Sud Dakota [S.D.]) 1902-19??, 1910-09-01
Where Roger Belonged.
Continued froQ First

the only son, and It's your place to
keep up the business. 1t isn't as II you
had some great talent that was draw
ing you to the city It's just for change
and 50 you can do easy work, Ike writ
ing with pen. and wear good clothes.
Roger had left her ut that moment
without even a goodby, and he had
never seen her since. Now he felt
small and mean ia her presence. what
was he but hangeron IN the city,
one whose place could be better hiied
by thousand waiting menF
a company of mounted men passed
them, the horses curvetting dangerous
ly close TO the crowded curbstones
The spectators pressed back, and i'll
stincuvely Roger flung his arm about
Amy and pressed her close TO him.
She must have felt the heavy throb-
bing of his heart, for her own heart
beneath his hand nuttcred wildly as
he held her. Susie gigsled hysterically
and dartcd backward as a heavy black
charger clatterod MP on the sidewalk.
Roger gathered Amy in his arms and
fell back. When the horse had return
ed to the street the crowd swept for
ward once more, and Roger released
Amy and faced her alone on n deserted
doorstep.
"Thank you" she painted softly.
chats all right" muttered Roger
They stood in silence for awhile, and
at last Roger turned suddenly upon the
girl who stood looking out on the street
with unsceing troubled eyes.
"You remember that last night be-
fore | came to the city, Amy, two years
ago." demanded Roger
She flushed and nodded.
You're right. I'm everything you
called me that night" he declared saw
agey.
"l've been sorry that | said it," she
murmured contritely.
ITS all true, every word, only I'm
bigger foot than you could believe"
His tone was bitter, and his handsome
young face WAS creased in an anxious
frowu.
"How long have you realized itY
asked Amy demurely
after the first month-one year and
eleven months" said Roger dryly.
"Oh, Roger How could you stand
it then? You must have suffered. 1t
took lots Of grit to stay here when you
were longing for home. i could never
have done it,
"It wasn't grit, Amy; it was pride.
| hate to give in."
"Give in?' repeated Amy. you
don't call that giving in, do you? Isn't
it one step OH the road to success
when one finds out they've made a
mistake? Susie is looking for US. Let
us 80 to her"
"The dairymen from our county are
coningw squealed Susie eXcitedly.
Nov. Roger. I'll bet you're too proud
and citiiiod to remember some of the
country boysw
Tn country boy myself" return
etl Roger. with sudden decision in his
tone Watch me and see how proud
! ami
The organization of dairymen swept
down the street, Il fine body OF white
clad men. bronzed faces and hands.
driving before them half dozen beau
tiful Jersey COWS
All at once Roger raised his hat to
The two girls from home and stepped
lown into the street. falling into line
with the dairymen, marching shoulder
to shoulder with a man from home
"This is where | belongr' he called
back heartily as he passed down the
street.
Late the next afternoon Roger left
the train at Riverside His trunk
might remain until another day.
He crossed the road. slipping through
the woods. stepping into well remen
bered wood roads. following them to
some half defined trail that made a
short cut to the farmhouse.
At the clearing he paused for an in
stant and looked forth over the rolling
acres. He noticed with guilty pang
that the five acre cornheld had been
given over to weeds. The hay had not
been cut in the meadows and lay fiat
and tangled
He had learned that his father had
reduced his herd OF cows to ten--all he
could care for now with help so scarce.
Roger saw them. gathered about the
brook. ten Holsteins. their black and
white bodies glistening in the setting
sun.
There came long call from the up
per pasture. and Rogers heart throb
bed achingly 1t was his father calling
the cows. In the old days it had been
his task to drive them home.
The COWS were stringing leisurely up
the slope in response to the call. Roger
cut a long alder switch, slipped off his
shoes and stockings, rolled up his
trousers knee high, tossed his hat in a
heap with his coat and vest and dash
ed after the herd.
The bell of the leader tinkled far
ahead. and the trailers paused and
turned wondering. mild eyes on the
overgrown boy with rumpled hair and
happy face trudging behind them. He
whirled his switch and they numbered
forward
As they neared the barnyard gate
Rogers heart raced madly. He heard
his fathers voice utterng word to
each COW as she passed through the
gate At last Roger himself loomed
tall behind the struggling three.
hf1f owl.
eyes until Rogers strong arms went
about him In a bearlike hug.
Dad, I've come home for good. I've
been wanting to come home ever since
| went. Have you any use for prodi-