The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-04-12
Leaning
and Paying

Tue OulShlElS VI tuc tO"u LUZ eI6nJ
years and Leo had had two years at
an agricultural school to prepare hila
for his work on the farm when hlS
father should step aside. But now Ao
wanted to go away for good.
Just because" old Gideon had
stormed, the manager of a cheap
theatrical company gives you a chan:o
TO starve to death tramping around
the country. you think you're cut out
for a matinee idol! A thrashing mar
chine gives you a chill and a pillow
produces a nightmare! A $40 acre
farm doesn't fall into the lap Of every
hoy of twenty-five, l can tell you!
want you to marry Ellen Penrose ard
settle down."
Leo mad opened his thin lips ara
thrown back his wavy hair. I'm go
ing ON the stage" he said doggedly-
ELLEN will wait for me-"
"Then she's a fool" pronounced hin
father, crisply, with Frank Alexander
only waiting for a chance to cut yos.
out. And Ellen is q mighty pretty
girl"
Leo thought SO himself when he toll
Ellen good-by. She had sat very
quietly when he had unfolded hia
! glowing future to her with all the vaa-
ity OF youth. When he ended, flushed
with excitement, he had not noticed
that she was very pale.
There had been in his voice no nots
Of regret at leaving her.
Almost unconsciously Ellen Penro5s
| raised her small, beautiful head higher
and something contracted about her
heart. Her life had been 80 inter
woven always with his that she was*
dazed and hurt. She also was proud
Secretly Leo a vastly relieved that
ellen took his departure so quietly.
with no tears. In his absorption BE-
had said nothing about her waiting for
him. He took that as = matter e
course.
She watched him go down the pAtb,
between the lilacs and then she went
10 her room with something thr0bbfnE
i'm her brain. 1t was as though she
had told Leo good-by forever. Dimly
| she felt it was so. The hurt and sur
prise that we're hers at the first realf-
cation that she was second In his
| thoughts did not depart. And sha
took up her life.
Sometimes Gideon Brooke. meeting.
her, would feel his anger stir afresh At
his silly on. Letters came infrequent1
ly from Leo. AS the months went on
they grew vague. He said not much
about success, but a great deal about
hard work. !.
No girl as pretty as Ellen ia LETT
solitary long. Frank Alexander. graz
er, older than the boy who had held
her heart for SO long, developed at
fractions she had never before taken
time to discover. There was for hea
a remarkable sense of rest and COM
fort in his mere presence-she could
rely upon him. The day finally came
when she wondered how she ever
could have called her youthful fond
ness for Leo Brooke by the name OF
love. But that was nearly two years.
after Leo had departed, his head fulg.
Of dreams, his self-loye uppermost. =
1t was n crisp October day that
Gideon Brooke, standing in the haKm
door and glancing down the road, saw
his son turning in at the gate. Soma
fitting memory OF the prodigal son.
crossed his mind as he stood crushing;
down the instant leap of his heart.
There was the same old defiant tilt to-
Leo's head as he came near. but there's
was bitterness about his mouth and 4
logged look in his eyes. His clothes
were threadbare.
1--WE come back" the younger man
said. and his voice was oddly clear Ia
the frosty air. "You were right
was wrong. I've been a failure. Eve
starved and shammered long enough
At first / vowed that I wouldn't come
back. buff you'll let me I'll 20 to
work. Behind the pillow. anything. It's
what ! know best. I've wasted two
years. Do you want mel"
Gideon Brooke's voice was husky.
want you?" he repeated. "This Is
your home. boy. IL guess mebbe
you've got more sense than you had
two years ago. Mebbe 1t was all for
your good. Well forget It. It's just
about time to water the horses"
Where were all the neighbors 60
ing az l came out from town." Leo
asked q little later. Already his eyes
looked clearer, his face less bitter.
You'd have thought It was Z conyes-
ton"
Gideon Brooke leaned over and
picked up q straw. Going to the Pen
rose place.. no said. shortly. tits
Ellen's wedding day-shs marriss
Frank Alexander" He slapped tie
bay horse smartly ON ifs nank. Get
Overt" he ordered. He had once been
very fond Of the idea Of Ellen - his
daughterinlaW.
The oats spilled over from tho meas
uro Leo Brooke Wa AllinS. Instead Of
the barn wall HIS eyes wsre sssiaE
HN1YA- n~@-n~~1-E 49, 49,.