The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-06-16
Continued from last week }

Continued from last week
done such a sweet thing. Just see!"
She opened her satchel and drew
out a paper It was the plan Of a
monument, a huge pillow Of granite
Across it was the inscription, There
the weary are at rest" Beneath that
were the names of Martha and Cor.
della and Anne.
That night the tuneful breathing Of
his fourth wife stung Abner with MUIR
derous thoughts, He rose and went
out into the star-strewn blackness Of
spring A night-owl hooted in the oak
tree, and on the spur of the mountain
q coyote howled The cloak OF dawn
was trailing the east when he decided
what to do. If possible he would can
cei that order at the stone-cutter rs--if
not At least he would try.
Emmeline prepared the breakfast.
1t was good breakfast but she used
a spoonful OF coffee to a cup. She
neglected to skim all the cream off for
butter, and she had mullins and ham
and scrambled eggs. Abner, watch
ing in fascination, saw her take the
grain-sacks of the rugs and throw the
rooms open to the light. 1t was eight
o'clock when he started for town.
At a bend of the county road he met
big load of lumber There were
shingles and scantlings and boards.
A halfdozen worl,men swung their
feet from the rear of the load.
One of them addressed him.
It's fine weather for building" he
said.
Abner drove on, his mind intent on
the monument.
In town women smiled at him; men
nodded; Emmeline's sister waved as
he passed.
It's a nice day for building" she
called.
Abner tied his horse at the post
office. He was turning from it when
the constable grasped him by the
shoulder The constable was philan.
thropic and he had once been fond of
Emmeline
well, Abner Bennett" he exploded,
I'm glad to see you doing the right
thing by that fourth wife Of yours
You can afford a good house! And
you're giving work to unemployed
men! I'm glad to see you do it, Alb
ner. 1 must say I'm gladl"
Abner stared; he took of his hat
he raised one hand to his head and
felt Of the scanty hair at its crown
The editor of the Weekly Courier
tapped him respectfully on the arm.
I'VE want few items about the
new house, Mr.. Bennett" He smiled.
What new house?" Abner roared,
his face purpling "Thunderation,
whose new house?"
oh, come" coaxed the editor.
We've got the item about the monu-
ment in for to-day. Next week we
want news of the house. The week
after were going to ask you for a few
words on progression just a sort Of !
stimulus for the town, you know. You
fellows"
But :Abner was unhitching his horse. |
He went through the town at a pace |
that Gen. Sheridan might have envied |
On his memorable ride. The springs |
Of the old buggy creaked and hit to-
gether. Dust, born of the last hot days,
5ifted around him. 1t clung to his |
moist face. A wind swept down the
canyon; it blew off his hat, but Abner
lid not care. His heart was an awak.
3ning volcano
The little house, when he reached |
{, was deserted. The sun blazed
Town on its unpainted sides, the daz.
zle of a heat-wave rose from the rocks
lround the doors.
"Emmyline!" he shouted. Emmy. |
met" and then he saw her.
She YVES coming toward him in
'ool print frock; she looked carefree
md young. There were men on the
moll behind her, There was lumber |
lnder the trees. He tried to speak.
)ut she put up her hand. There was
/ look in her eyes which he had never
seen in the eyes of Martha or Cor I
leila or Anne. It mingled mirth with
mastery.
"Abner," she bubbIed, "the men
hink our plan for the home is Just
perfect"
He duly stared at her, trying to
Her face softened as she turned
rom him and gazed toward the town
| patch of white-hecked green stood
or the cemetery.
/ wish they could have had com
orts," she whispered "But-th
monument We've ordered is lovely!
ts all we can do for them now, isn't
t, dear?" .