The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-06-02

ey ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON.

prairieS OF western Kansas, lighting
up the faces OF young man and wo
man who were slowly walking PIP and
down the open space before the door
Il was so happy, Rachel" the man
sad glancing at the strong, beautifu'
face Of his companion, when heard
your school up in the Wyoming noun
Ia ms was closed and you were coming
home thought you were coming 10
S ay this time I hope so, for, Rachel.
Eye Logged you for long time
Dan sHlthasd leaned toward the girl
to study the effect of his avowal on
| her. E
But Rachel winton betrayed no emo
tion.g. NH. -
she merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
| Off across the moonl,t prairie.
1--WE been working and waiting, Ra-
chez he continued. his voice husky
| with fee ing. until had something
to offer you. was sure you wouldn't
4 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 10
these pra'ries tog her in our covered
wagons. remember, after We were
here, how bravely you worked to help
your parents get started of comfort
ably before you went with your ulcle
to Wyoming to teach that ranch
school,
"Dan.'"' she exclaimed almost s.ern.
ly. q haven't ceased to remember our
old house, which father lost on that
security debt, the home we were
forced to cave when we came here.
Mother and were not very brave,
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 | am at war with I
and always have, been. 1t takes away
youth and kills all hight and noble am
billions. See haw mother has aged
during the two years we have lived
here. 1t makes me bitter That's why
20 back to teach I'm going to make
enough to Jake then away from this
life."
But, Rachel" he pleaded, you
shall never work as your mother has
had to, ! 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?"
Mr.. Miles has been very kind 10
me." she answered without pretending
not to understand. "He has offered 20
lei father and mother have the lovely
home he owns in Denver IL I'll marry
him. II would be an IDEAL place for
thsm TO end their days IN"
MY God. grille. I'couldn't stand It
10 see you the wife OF another." the
ypung man cried. his strong frame
shaEei with emotion. 49,
"Ycu mustn't care so much, Dan.
she returned. tender pity for his suf
fering making her tones kind. "Ge'
a better girl to share your home-one
WHO wi love you enough to make the
hest Of this hard life."
Never. never. Racheli" he answer.
ed. with passion. Il love only you
If you could but read my heart and
see how much you would surely care
inst little for me. Yer ranchman
rich as he Is. will never love you as
do. Rachel. Neyer."
II couldn't love any man well
enough to give up all enjoy and Sc.
Tile down to this isolated lie. this con
tinual treadmIll OF drudgery." she re
torted. turning away. then in milder
tone Forget me. Dan"
Forget her. That he would never
do--he n,yer could. There was tine
1t was when they lived In their Gov.
cred wagons and camped at night by
the trai'; yes. ard tven after they
we're settled hsre-ihat he had though
she cared for HIN.
Those had been the happiest days IT,
souhard's life. He had never dream
ed tina. shs hated those free. rolling
PARTIES so intensely.
Blind 10 this. he had been toiling on
his new claim to get things n good
shape before asking her to marry him.
Bitterly now he felt that I was all
Ielcr lost. for withou. Rache' winton
nothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl momen In
silent reiroach Southland walked over
TO his tethered horse. mounted and
rode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rachel
stood looking after the vanishing
horsemsn.
Poor DAM" she murmured. "He
: so strong and good. Father and
mother love him like son. but ! jus
cant. can't" And the tears gathered
IN her eyes.
n was intended for something bet
ter. n I wasn't. why should dislike
the rough. crude ways OF pioneer life
50 tsrr'by?"
with this question on her lips Ra
lchel W.nion entered the cab n. whtre
her parents were already asleep. and
sought her couch.
For long time she lay awake. her
mind. much against hsr win. busy com
par'ng young Southland AMI Mr.. Miles
Dams clear cut but somewhat boyish
face lost nothing by comparison with
that OF he bearded, middle aged arncn
man who had been woo'ng her per