Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-27

per pattern sES had purchased. Wesley
cooked the breakfast and worked until
he thought Elnora would be gone. then
he started to bring her mother.
Now you be mighty careful" eau
toned Margaret. II don't know how
she will take it."
II don't either" said Wesley philoso-
phically. but she's got to take it some
way. That dress has to be finished by
school time in the morning."
Wesley had not slept well that night.
BY the time he reached the front gate
and started down the walk between
the rows of asters and lady slippers he
was perspiring. and every plausible
and convincing speech had fed his
brain. Mrs. Comstock helped him.
She met him at the door.
Good morning" she said. did Mar
garet send you for something's
eyes," said Wesley. "She sent me
for you. She's got a job that's too big
for her. and she wants you to help"
"Of course l WILL" said Mrs. Com
stock. 1t was no ones affair how lone
~ the previous day had been. or how
the endless hours Of the present would
drag. What is she doing in such a
rush,"
Now was his chance.
"She's making a dress for Elnora,"
answered Wesley. He saw Mrs. Com
stocks form straighten. and her face
harden, so he continued hastily. You
see Elnora has been helping us at
harvest time. butchering. and with I'm
expected visitors for years. We've
made out that she's saved US a con
siderable sum. and as she wouldn't ever
touch any pay for anything we just
went to town and got a few clothes
we thought would fix her up a little
for the high school. We want to get
a dress done today mighty bad. but
Margaret is slow about sewing. and
she a finish alone, so l came
for you"
And it's such a simple little matter,
so dead easy; and all so between old
friends like. that you can't look above
your boots while you explain it." sneer-
ed Mrs. Comstock. wesley Sinton,
what put the idea into your head that
Elnora would take things bought with
money when she wouldn't take the
money"
Then Sinton's eyes came up straight
ly.
Finding her on the trail last night
sobbing as hard as I ever saw any one
at a funeral. She wasn't complaining
at all. but she's come to me all her life
with her little hurts. and she couldn't
hide how she'd been laughed at. twit-
ted and run face to face against the
fact that there was books and tuition
unexpected. and nothing will ever
make me believe you didn't know that.
Kate Comstock."
IF any doubts are troubling you on
that subject. sure I knew it! She was
so anxious to try the world I thought
I'd just let he" y few knocks and
see how she
LAS if she en- anything but
knocks all her cried Wesley Sim
ton. "Kate Comstock, you are a heart
less. selfish woman. You've never al
lowed Elnora any real love in her life.
If ever she finds out that thing you'll
lose her, and it will serve you right"
"She knows it now" said Mrs. Com
stock Jelly, land she'll be home tonight
just as usual"
"Well, you are a brave woman If you
dared put a girl of Elnora's make
through what she suffered yesterday
and will suffer again today and let her
know you did it on purpose. 1 admire
your nerve. But I've watched this
since Elnora was born. and | got
enough. Things have come to a pass
where they go better for her or I in
terfere."
LAS if you'd ever done anything but
interfere all her life! Think 1 haven't
watched you? Think 1. with my heart
raw in my breast and too numb to re-
sent it openly, haven't seer you and
Mag Sinton trying to turn Elnora
against me day after day? When die
you ever tell her what her father
meant to me? When did you ever try
to make her see the wreck of my life
and what | suffered? No.. indeed!'
"Kate Co:..i,uck. that's unjust" cried
Sinton. ONLY last night I tried to
show her the picture I saw the day she
was born. 1 begged her to come to
you and tell you pleasant what she
needed and ask you for what I happen
to know you can we'll afford to give
her."
II can't" cried Mrs. Comstock. "You
know l can't"
Then get so you can!' said. Wesley
Sinton. ANY day you say tie word
you can sell $4,000 worth Of rare
timber off this place easy. I'll see to
clearing and working the fields cheap
as dirt. for Elnora's sake. I'll buy you
more cattle to fatten. All you've got
to do is sign a lease to pull thousands
from the ground in oil. as the rest Of
us are doing all around you"
Cut down Roberts trees!" shrieked
Nfrc Coroe<oo1r tSToo~ ,,o h;o lor11