Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-29

She must have felt the heavy tnroD-
bling of his heart. for her own heart
beneath his hand huttered wildly as
he held her. Susie giggled hystericallS
and darted backward as a heavy black
charger clattered up 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 a deserted
doorstep.
THANK you" she painted softly.
That's 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 unseeing. troubled eyes.
You remember that last night be-
fore came 10 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
agely.
1--WE been sorry that said it" she
murmured contritely.
Its all true. every word. only I'm
bigger fool than you could believed"
young face was creased in an anxious
frown.
How long have you realized it?"
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. could never
have done it,
1T wasn't grit. Amy; it was pride
l hate to give in"
Give in?' repeated Amy. You
don't call that giving in. do you? Isn't
| it one step on the road to success
when one finds out they've made
mistake? Susie is looking for us. Let
US go to her.
"The dairymen from our county are
/ comingw squealed Susie excitedly.
/ Now. Roger. I'll bet you're too proud
and Gifted to remember some of the
country boysr'
Pm a country boy myself" return
ed Roger. with sudden decision in his
| tone Watch me and see how proud
! ann
The organization of dairymen swept
/ down the street. fine body of white
/ clad men. bronzed faces and hands.
/ driving before them a half dozen beau
/ tiful Jersey cows.
/ All at once Roger raised his hat to
the two girls from home and stepped
down into the street, falling into line
with the dairymen. marching shoulder
/ to shoulder with a man from home.
&c vubaro I haIonOr' oalIad
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.
lie crossed the road. slipping through
the woods. stepping into well remem-
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
slant and looked forth over the rolling
acres. He noticed with q guilty pang
that the five acre cOrnield 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 n long call from the up
per pasture. and Rogers heart throb-
bed achingly II WAS his father calling
q h., In, 81, "a, ~ hts1
his task TO drive them home.
The cows were stringing leisurely VI
the slope in response 10 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 tralers paused and
turned wondering mild eyes on the /
ovcrgrown boy with rumDled hair and !
happy face trudging behind them. He 1
whirled his switch and they numbered 1
forward.
AS they neared the barnyard gate |
Rogers heart raced madly. He heard !
his fathers voice uttering Il word 20 |
each COW as she passed through the /,
gate At last Roger himself doomed |
tall behind the struggling three.
John Nelson stared with unbelieving |
eyes until Rogers strong arms went /
about him in a hearlike hug.
Dad, I've come home FOR good. I've |
been wanting to come home ever since |
1 went. Have you any use for prodi- /
gal son:'
Later father and son crossed the |
farm yard. arms about each others |
shoulders. Two women stood in the |
kitchen doorway with radiant faces.
One saw nothing save her little farmer
lad come back to the lonely house. The
other. Amy Ward. saw her lover re-
turning to labor in the fields he had
once despised. Both of them rejoiced
that the city had given him of her bit
ter lessons. that he might appreciate