Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-23

looked at her reproachfully. The next
instant he cooked his ears, leaped up,
and scrambling off the porch, bounded
across the yard toward the road.
Christina became aware that he had
heard something: that she also was
ans voice, entreating yet mounting to
impatience, then the sound Of smart
thwacks, followed each time by a pro-
testing bleat, and finally the scurry
trotted meekly into view. followed by
the old dog, grinning and victorious.
Some distance after the dog followed
woman, helping herself along by a
stick. She wore limp calico wrapper
and a sunbonnet.
How do. Mis- Howlandw she called.
genially. How do? Tolerably hot
YES, 1t u.s." replied Christina coldly.
She hoped the old creature would go
on after the calf.
| Instead of taking the hint the woman
turned in across the yard. II guess
I'll sit down with we SPELL" she said
amiably, as she took off her sunbonnet
and began to flap it in an effort to
cool herself. She was very brown and
ugly and wrinkled and her worn and
soiled wrapper seemed mere sack
for holding her bones and sinews to-
and squirting down the road after the
calf and dog. "Shep'll drive him home
all right" she continued, land
thought I'd let him do it, seeing he was
willing"
Christina felt more than annoyed at
the intrusion. The old woman was one
of her neighbors and a typical farm
er's wife of that locality, and as she
looked at her she seemed to be view
ing the result of a long process of de-
threatened herself
Maybe it began by her husband
spending all his money for fodder"
she thought. Maybe she used to like
! hats and lawn dresses as much as ]
! do And when she didn't get them
| she gave up. I shan't give up.
| The old woman turned her head and
looked up at Christina with a gather
| How do you like farming?" she
Il like it" Christmas tone told
nothing.
a Tas old D,vsn s'r %as @ass
said quietly. "But you're so kind of
pretty couldn't help it. Besides. you
make me think of somebody" Her
across the fields with vistas Of recoi-
| lection In her eyes. Suddenly she
aroused herself you've never been
over to see me-" she remarked.
Christina shook her head impa-
work all the mornings. and the after
Moons I-rest. There's lot to do"
"Your mans splendid young fell
low. He thinks a sight of you. He
amt one to say much. but you can
II hope So" There was no mistak-
ing the bitterness in Christmas voice.
She laughed dryly. II guess he likes his
cattle better though" che added.
Nov. what makes you say that.
Oh; The old hffcho6
and lifted one hand. and laid 1t upon
Christmas knee. what makes you
even think Of such thingT'
Christiana was moved. After all. talk
mere thinking. "I'l tell you. Mrs Fin
| ley" she said. There are things I want
| things I've always been used to having.
and instead Of Thad's giving me money
to get them he goes of and takes it all
to buy feed for the cattle. I'VE always
earned my money. don't like this hav-
| ing to beg man for a cent" Her voice
| sank II guess made a mistake in mar
rying him. begin to wish hadn't.
Love! What's love when the real things
of life creep In! You can live without
| love. You can't live without some other
! things"
| She had spoken explosively. The old
woman merely listened. patting the girls
knee. AS Christina ceased she nodded re-
aectiveiy. I see." she said. After 2
moment she went on slowly, ST guess I'll
| tell you something, since you seem to kind
| o. need 1t. 1 was young once myself.
That was some time back-a-good many
years l was young and I was pretty.
| lived up there in the town you came
from. l worked in millinery store,
and I always had the prettiest clothes a
girl could wish for. I earned 'em honest
and I had 'em. But there came a time
something bigger and better'n I'd ever
known. l got it in Jim Finley" She