Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-07-08

Responsiveness H( iNlile. T-SSte Uets
ter get used to seeing this new chap
around. She's got to get cured of this
grieving business. by George
The large brown fist struck the table
With a force THAT startled the three
women They watched Mr. l-aue
march from the room with angry
strides. and when the door had closed
with an echoing slam their heads bent
together in whispered consultation.
Memorial day was a holiday, and the
Lanes usually spent It with relatives
in an adjoining village This day was
no exception. and so 1t was quite ear
~ in the morning that they drove
away in the comfortable surrey, leav-
ing Robert Munson standing bare.
headed by the wide white gate.
Esther had said nothing about going
to the cemetery to place flowers on
Roberts grave She would wait until
their return. aud when the crowd had
left the graveyard she would climb
the hill and place her offering there.
alone in the sunset.
When the long day vas closing they
came home again, Esther With her
arms full Of white blossoms Cleaned
from her aunt's garden. The new
farm hand had taken advantage of the
holiday and was nowhere to be seen.
so Farmer Lane put up the horses and
the others went indoors.
"l'll lie back presently, mother"
said Esther. tossing her hat on the ia.
BILE and gathering up her flowers. I'm
going to the cemetery now. Lion
will come with me-"
every we'll. DEAR" said Mrs. Lane.
Esther whistlcd to the dog and walk
ell through the orchard to the pasture.
Robert Munson was leaning on the
fence. looking at the reflected lights
on the distant hills.
II am going up on the hill. Robert.
Will you come along and carry my
fowcrs2'' asked Esther bravely.
"Certainly. Miss Esther" he said
pleasantly. and so together they cross
ed the pasture and climbed the hill to
the place where the tall white shaft
made Il memorial for the fallen soldier
boy. All about the base beautiful
flowers We're strewn. and some one
had placed little flag In the green
turf. Robert Munson was looking curl
ously at the inscription when Esther
gently took the flowers from his grasp
and dropped them on the ground at
his feet. Then she placed her hands
on his shoulders and looked into his
eyes.
Robert. Robert!" she cried tragical-
~. Don't you know lne-won't you
ever recognize me again?"
Very tenderly Robert Munson took
her cold hands in his warm ones, and
the firm pressure of his grasp seemed
to give her wavering strength more
courage.
Miss Esther" he said gently, whom
do you take me for? Who do you
think am:"
You are Robert Webb!'' she cried
eagerly. "Sce-this stone was erected
for you. Your father died of broken
heart when you were killed. and your
mother Went away to live with her Sis
ter. am here. have not forgotten.
See-l have kept your picture all these
years. have Worn it always here"
She drew away her hands and pulled
chain from her neck and opened
round lockct The picture therein was
that of Il young man. much younger
pol,
WAS a resemblance. it might have been
more in expression than in actual fea
lures
"You have made Il great mistake.
Miss Esther" said Munson at last. II
am so sorry. wish | knew what to
say to you. suppose you think tile
report of Webb's death was an error
and that | am he. but it is not so"
He stretched out hand to support
her waverinS figure. but she leaned
for support against the white marble.
Il have seen service in the Philippines.
and did know Bob Webb for short
time. and know he was killed. am
sorry to have to tell you this. AS for
myself. wanted Il season in the coun-
try ut hard work to recover my health
1t is sheer chance that came to Little
River and was directed to your ia
theirs farm. have parents and broth
ers and sisters in Roston-in fact. l am
afraid can. prove only too we'll that
l am not Robert Webb" lie looked
down at her With infinite pity in his
fine eyes-; pity that was so akin to
something warmer that she seemed to
feel j, nfnld her like Il comforting
garment.
II am so sorry have annoyed you.
What must you think of me: You
see Esther broke down and sobbed
bitterly. and Robert Munson stood be-
side her with Il friendly hand pressing
her shoulder. 1t was with his hand.
kerclicf that Esther wiped away her
tears. while tie kne!t down and deft!y
strewed the flowers she had brought
about the foot of the shaft Then he
rose to his tall height and held out his
hand.
Come. Miss Esther: let us 90 bach