Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-07-08
49, *I.*444tt94+t..3..&4f3.14.t& =
| One Who !
! Came ]
+ II Memorial Day Story !
By CLARlSSA MAcKIE. I
Copyright. 1910, by American Press !
Association. 4
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.

- y
Z Association. +
@+++*++++*+++++++++++++++*
She had been looking for him all
through the warm spring, and now.
late in May. she felt that he must
come. Another week would bring the
goth of the month. aud Memorial day.
with its tender observance Of all the
beloved dead. would come to crush
down her cherished hope of Roberts
return.
Esther looked wistfully across the
pasture. and tears filed her blue eyes
until hillside and pointed cedars were
dark blur.
When she had wiped them away
some one was coming YEARLY down
the narrow path-some one tall aud
thin, dressed III dark clothing, with a
gray felt hat on his dropping head.
The man did not lift his eyes from
the ground. but tramped steadily on.
with his gaze fixed on the winding
path under his feet. When the path
ceased at the fence he looked up and
saw Esther gazing at him longingly.
lovingly. bus there was no recollection
in his glance. merely undisguiscd Won
derment.
Esther's radiant smile faded as she
searched the handsome face for some
sign of recognition. 1t was Robert
Webb. paler, thinner and curiously
changed in expression. and yet 1t was
Robert. A sudden terror filled her
soul.
Robert" she cried softly, don't you
know me?''
He stared curiously at her while
slow red burned into his thin cheeks.
He lifted the gray hat and showed
dark hair streaked plentifully with
white.
II am afraid you have made mis-
take" he said in a deep, musical voice
that was like Roberts own tones. My
name is Robert. but am sure would
have remembered you if we had met
before. | came to see Mr.. Lane.
was directed to take the short cut
across the lots from the station. Is
this his farm?"
Esther Shrank back
"Yes. this is Mr.. Lanes farm. You
will find him ut the house or barn.
Take the path through the orchard"
With a murmured word of thanks
the man replaced his hat. leaped the
fence and disappeared in the gather.
in x%,iliSrIt nf no La
When Esther went into the house
her fair hair was wet With dew, but
her eyes were very bright and shining.
In the sitting room they We're all
gathered about the evening lamp. The
light fell on the red table cover and
was reflected in the comfortable fur
nishings of the room. Mr.. Lane was
reading the almanac with an interest
quite undated by long winters
pcrsual of its closely printed pages.
Helen and Agatha were embroidering,
They all glanced up as Esther ell
tered the room. blinking ut the light.
You'll catch your death out in the
dampness. child.' demonstrated her
mother as Esther sat down in Il low
rocker beside her We've been wish
ing you'd come in and give MS IL little
music"
You promised to practice that duet
with me. Esther" complained Helen.
Il don't see why you want to run
away every night after supper. You
can't guess what's happened since
you've been gone" she added teasing.
~.
The color leaped into Esther's pale
cheeks. She struggled for moment
with her quickcning breath before her
words found utterance. What has
happened. Nell:" she asked. with as.
sumed careessness.
Nothing at ALL interposed Mrs
Lane. smiling. except that fathers
tickled to death because he's got some
one to help him all summer"
"Who is it," asked Esther.
"A man who came here tonight
The station master sent him, knowing
your father was put to it for help or
the farm. He's young and willing
though he's Il little out of health. Hes
been Il soldier. and he wants to have :
summer farming it to get back his
health again"
and likewise fill his pucketbouk,
yawned Farmer Lane, stretching him
self luXuriou>ly. II guess we'll 20
along as we'll rs may be- He's q fine
pleasant spoken young chap. but hr'
seen Il sight of trouble. | talk" it, Hi
hairs as white as my own. He's con.
ing tomorrow
What is his namc:" asked Esthe
| in Il mut!lel voice.
"ltDhert MunSoi Looks like som,
one I've seen before. Can't think VIII,
it is to save my life" said her father
rising and filling his pipe ut the man
Nh Il quick movement Esther aros
and was gone from the room.
FEATHER Lane" exclaimed Agatha il
a stage whisper. Its just come TO m
who this man looks like. He look
enough like Robert Webb to be hi