Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-09

man who were slowly walking up and
down the open space before the door.
Il 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 a long time
Dan Southland leaned toward the girl
to study the effect of his avowcl on
her.
But Rachel Winton betrayed no emo
ton.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
off across the moonlit prairie.
I've been working and waiting, RAJ
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. l 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
", II 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 hard, hard one
"In my heart | am at war with it
and always have been. 1t takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
billions. See how mother has aged
during the two years we have lived
here. 1t makes me bitter. That's why
l go back to teach. Pm going to make
enough to take them away from this
life"
But, Rachel" he pleaded. you
shall never work as your mother has
had to. l 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
ranchmanY
Mr.. Miles has been very kind to
h. IN n
not to understand. He has offered to
let father and mother have the lovely
home he owns in Denver if 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 anotherv' the
young man cried. his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
You mustn't care so much. DAN
she returned. tender pity for his suf-
fering making her tones kind. Get
a better girl to share your home-one
who will love you enough to make the
best Of this hard life
Never, never Rachel!' he answer
ed, with passion. 81 love only you.
IL yOu COulu Dul IGdu lily hCdlL dAlN
see how much you would surely care
just little for me. Your ranchman.
rich as he is, will never love you as
do. Rachel, Never!'
Il couldn't love any man well
enough to give up all ! enjoy and set
tie down to this isolated life, 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 never could. There was time
it was when they lived in their Gov
cred wagons and camped 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 happfcst days il
Southards life. He had never dream
ed that she hated those free. rolling
prairies so intensely.
Blind to this he had been toiling OF
his new claim to get things in gooC
shape before asking her to marry him
Bitterly now he felt that it was al
labor lost, for without Rachel Winter
nothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl moment il
silent reproach Southland walked ovel
to his tethered horse. mounted ant
rode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rache
stood looking after the vanishing
horseman.
Poor Danr' she murmured. H
is so strong and good. Father ant
mother love him like son, but jus
can't. cantr' And the tears gathered
In her eyes.
II was intended for something bet
ter. If wasn't. why should dislik
the rough. crude ways of pioneer lif
no terribly?''
With this question on her lips Rache
Winton entered the cabin. where he
parents were already asleep. an
sought her couch