Smyrna times., 1910-09-07

awhile. am going to hire dug
out or have some kind of shelter put
up and l want to start things as
soon as l can. Toms sickly and
he's dreadful run down. He
couldn't be alone out here" A
glow of confidence lighted her ewes,
and she continued: We've been
saving for long time to get home
out in the country somewhere. Tom
was never strong and the last year
or two has developed consumptive
tendencies, and the doctors advised
him to come out in this part of the
west to live. They say he'll get
we'll and it's paid for and enough
over to bring me out and get some
sort of shelter and a start in cattle.
l tho't could buy some calves cheap,
and I'll hire some breaking done
and raise some grain and get chick
ems. They'll come out as soon as we |
get enough to bring them. l hope !
it won't be long. I'm so anxious
about Tom There was a thrill of |
apprehension in her voice. "He |
coughs bad at times and some days |
can hardly get to his work. Annie,
his wife, goes in his place part of
the time and makes him rest off
and stay with the children | must
get them here as soon as possible.
eyes, he needs to come" Lee
said. regarding her with q sort of
amazement.
"And look here" " Binbridge put
in, "we'll put up your shanty and do
your breaking, and it shan't cost you
anything. We always do that for
our new neighbors and l guess we
can hustle up some calves for you,
and you return them when you're all
here and your herd grows"
The tears rushed to her eyes, and
she exclaimed: ''Oh what big hearts
you have out here in this big country |!
I'll be the best neighbor you ever
, had. There's lots l can do for you
if you are alone"
"Yes, ma am; reckon there is, -
he said awkwardly a wistful pity
mingling with the embarrassment in
i his face.
: He strolled away presently and
II Lee followed in obedience to a sly
sign, and she relapsed into dreamy
e contemplation, her heart warm with
the kindness of these new neighbors.
/. "Look here," Bainbridge said
q savagely when they were out OF
# sight, eff you let it out I'll kill
you'll
% "That's right, Lee assured him.
TX whats beggarly quarter section
anyway? I'd cut 'em off that much
81 and welcome.
s. "But it, already cut off of mine,
ID Bainbridge bristled jealously. "Tha
rascally blackguard This is onl,
one of the many pitiful cases of hi
r. thieving. But they've droppe,
so right on to their feet! I'll fix it 81
they'll never know"
at Lee gravely shook his hand, the
d. burst out: "But Lordy, Lordy, tn
de innocence of it! Cattle raising on
quarter section, and all the rest o
es it them's the kind that fatten tn
lid rascals. - But she'r good! Nv
pc got a good woman. l know on
when l see her. "
in eyes, she's good,' Banibridg
en- asserted absently. Makes you fee
like Sunday morning, and all tn
lid bells ringing"
ny "Ho, hol | must tell Ellen thai
'ut She says you re born poet and on
so need good woman to bring it out.
me "Reckon I've found her, Bail
bridge grinned sheepishly, turnir
ent away.
her The moon was diffusing a mello
ace daylight when he returned from
xty long walk in communion with hin
We self. He found her still on tt
ust porch and sat down in awkward S
or lence. Then he began abruptly:
"Don't be frightened Miss Burt,
Il at what I'm going to say. My head
n.y. level; anybody round here will te
you that. l always know what
we want, and we do things quick o
here. Once when l was young / W
cir going to be married, but she died.
as He paused an instant. 'Since tn
never found anyone wanted ii
oon right now, and-I'm waltz
ned to he married any minute you S
nds so. If it's too quick I'll keep
to waiting, but I'm not going to
OF anybody else have you.'
will "Mercy!" she gasped in helple
'ard surprise, but with appreciation
ary his sturdy manhood cleaning in h
eyes.
W 81 mean anybody out here, "
amended. "Of course if there's o
her back here Pm out %
ther She shook her head, her face 0
lSpQ | vivid Hopoa