The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-09-16

Il was SO happy. Rachel" the inau
said. glancing at the strong. beautiful
face of his companion. when | beard
your school up In the Wyoming noun
tains was closed aud you were coming
home. thought you were coming To
stay this time ! hope SD. for. Rachel.
I've loved you long time"
Dan Southland leaned toward the girl
to study the effect OF his avowal on
her.
uon.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
OF across the moonlit prairie.
1--WE been working and waiting. Ra-
cheI." 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. | remember. after We We're
here how bravely you worked to help
your parents get started off comfort
ably before you went with your uncle
to Wyoming to teacl, that ranch
school,"
"Dan," she exclaimed almost Stern
", ~ haven't ceased to remember our
old house, which father lost on that
security debt. the home we We're
forced to leave when we came here
Mother and l 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.
I'm my heart am Mt war with it
and always have been. 1t takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
bitions See how mother has aged
during the two years we have lived
here. 1t makes ME bitter. That's why
60 back TO teach. I'm going to make
life"
But. Rachel" he pleaded. You
shall never work as your mother has
had to, l promise It," then suddenly.
with a catch in his voice, Say, grille.
there's no truth in the report about
your caring for that rich Wyoming
ranchmanf"
"Mr. Miles has been very kind to
me-" she answered without pretending
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! l couldn't stand it
to see you the wife of another!' the
young man cried. his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
"You mustn't care so much. Dam"
she returned, tender pity for his suf-
fering making her tones kind. Get
4 better girl to share your home-one
who will love you enough to make the
best Of this hard life
"Never. never. Rachei!' he answer
ed, with passion. Il love only you
II you could but read my heart and
see how much you would surely care
just little for me. Your ranchman.
rich as he is. will never love you al
do, Rachel. Never"'
81 couldn't love any man we'll
enough to give up all l enjoy and set
tie down to this isolated life, this con
tinual treadmill Of drudgery." she re
torted, turning away, then in mflder
tone Forget me. DAN"
Forget her! That he would never
do-he never could. There was time
1T was when they lived in their ccv'
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 happiest days in
Southard's life He had never drea M
ed that she hated those free. rolling
| prairies so intensely.
Blind to this. he had been toi!ing OF
| Ills new claim to get things In good
| shape before asking her to marry him
Bitterly now he felt that 1t was al
labor lost, for without Rachel Wintor
| nothing was worth while.
| After gazing at the girl moment in
| silent reproach Southland walked over
| to his tethered horse. mounted and
rode away.
| The moon climbed higher az Rachel
stood looking after the vanishing
| horseman.
poor DAM she murmured. He
II so strong and good. Father and
mother love him like a son. but l Just
can't. can't" And the tears gathered
| In her eyes.
II was intended for something bet
ter. If wasn't. why should dislike
the rough. crude ways OF pioneer lif.
| % terribly"
With this question on her lips Rache
| Winton entered the cabin. where bel
| parents were already asleep. ant
| sought her couch.
| For a long time she lay awake. bel
mind. much against her will. busy com
| pairing young Southland and Mr.. Niles.
| Dams clear cut but somewhat boyisl
! face lost nothing by comparison witt
| that Of the bearded. middle aged ranch
Can be depended upon" Is an ex-
preston we all like to hear, and when
it is used in connection with Chamber