Democratic messenger., 1910-03-05

The full September moon shone
down upon little cabin on the dry
prairles Of western Kansas. lighting
up the faces Of young man aud wo-
man who were slowly walking up and
down the open space before the door.
"a was so happy. Rachel." the man
said. glancing 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. thought you were coming to
stay this time. hope so. for. Rachel.
I've loved you n long time"
Dan Southard leaned toward the girl
to study the effect of his avowal on
her.
But Rachel winton betrayed no emo
tion.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
of across the moonlit prairie.
T've been working and waiting, Ra-
chel." he continued. his voice husky
with feeling. until had something
to offer you. 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. 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
~. IL 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 Il hard. hard one.
"ln my heart am at war with IL
and always have been. II takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
billions. See how mother has aged
during the two years we have lived
here. II makes me bitter That's why
20 back TO teach. I'm going to make
enough TO take them away from this
life"
Rst DaaInl - hn ralau1n1 ICON
shall never work as your mother has
had TO. | promise it, then suddenly.
with n catch In his voice. Say, grille.
there's no truth IN the report abogt
your caring for that rich Wyoming
ranchmanT
mir. Miles has been very kind TO
me-" she answered without pretending
not to understand. "ie has offered 10
let father and mother have the lovely
home he owns IN Denver IL I'll marry
him. 1t would be an ideal place for
them TO end their days in"
MY God. grille! couldn't stand II
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 sur
fcring making her tones kind. Get
better girl to share your home-onc
who will love you enough TO make tie
best Of this hard life
Never, never. Rachel!" he answer
ed, with passion. II love only you.
If you could but read my heart and
see how much you would surely care
Just u little for me. Your ranchman,
rich as he is. will never love you as
do. Rachel! Never!'
81 couldn't love any man well
enough to give mp all | enjoy and set
tie down to this isolated life, this con-
tlnual treadmill of drudgery," she re-
torted. turning away. then In n milder
tone. Forget me. Dam"
Forget her. That he would never
do-he never could There was a time
1T was when they lived In their COW
cred wagons and campcd 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 In
Southard's life. He had never dream
ed that she hated those free. rolling
prairies so intensely.
Blind to tfis. he had been toiling on
his new claim to get things in good
shape before asking her 10 marry him.
Bitterly now he felt that 1t was all
labor lost, for without Rachel Winton
nothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl n moment in
silent reproach Southard walked over
TO his tcthered horse. mounted and
rode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rachel
stood looking after the vanishing
horseman.
Poor Dnnr' she mnrmured. HE
IN so strong and good. Father and
mother love him like son. but just
can't. can't And the tears gathered
In her eyes.
II was intended for something bet
ter. II I wasn't. why should dislike
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