The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-02-07

lack of mroe than common schooling.
He himself had no especial parentage,
no training but that of experience,
no backing"
Ford had only himself to watch.
Evie went her own way, she did her
work, and sometimes from his yard,
or at a window. he would watch her.
She was never nervous, but strong,
calm. There was quiet. restful look
in her dark eyes, even her plain way
of wearing her hair rested him He
himself was fair and OF quick temper.
She semed always serene, always SEN
timental. even when Frank Barker
began coming oftener and sat about
in the yard with Popsy, her little sis
ter. ever present. 1t was queer, Ford
thought, that the man never took her
anywhere Didn't he ask her, or
wouldn't she go? Occasionally she
went to some amusement with a man
friend, but never Barker.
One night, having reached home
from his work ahead of her. he was
in his yard when she came simply
tripping up the sidewalk. It was hot
and he knew she had worked hard
she had been five years in that one
store. She saw him, and beckoned
gayly. and he came, glad he could not
refuse Sine called her people from
the front door
"Oh. joyi" she said Hear the
news! haven't been working for
nothing I'm head of the glove de-
partment, II you please-eighteen a
week for two months, and after that
twenty! Give us a kiss, Popsy-
wopsy!"
Everybody rejoiced properly, but
somehow Ford felt sober. She did
not need him-or anybody-she earn
ed nearly as much as he. 1t gave him
sense of failure. his courage fell.
1t would have helped to talk the thing
out-but that was not Ford Hudson's
way-it accounted for his half-morbid
ideas about marriage and other
things
In day or two really breathless
thing happened, and was spread
recklessly over the front page of the
evening paper, news being very scarce.
Under romantic circumstances an old
relative OF Frank Barker's had left
him some money-a great deal of
money for young mechanic-more
than would be good for most men OF
his makeup. Ford saw the paper
downtown. and was generously glad
of the other mans luck. And then he
remembered Evie. OF course now
would marry Evie; he could give her
everything Ford tried to be glad for
Evie, but he walked home slowly, and
entered his own gate, bit quiet and
depressed. Up the walk to the Jordan
cottage Frank Barker was springing
with a joyful step Ford heard Ewes
voice welcoming him at the door, and
went into his empty house; he sat
alone until 1t grew quite dark, and
then went early to bed. 1t was Sat
urday, and he could sleep as late as
he pleased
He awakened late Sunday morning
and rose listlessly. He was ashamed
of his weakness. He had determined
on a course and must take 1t without
regret Besides, even II he had wooeC
Evie with all his will probably she
would not have had him 1t was Ger
tainly too late now-Frank Barker'f
very step the night before had tolt
him that. Ford got his own break
fast, put the dishes aside for Mrs
Peters, and went out into his bit o
flower-garden which he kept up be
cause 1t had been his mothers pride
and because he liked 1t himself He
was glad the house was between hin
and Ewes home. He pulled a few
weeds from the pansy bed, considered
the grass which needed cutting. anC
then sat down under the one maple
tree on the bench Unthinkingly. he
stopped over, his elbows on hii
knees, his face resting in his hands
He did not see Popsy Jordan's saucy
face look round the corner. and ther
disappear.
what is it?" 1t was Evie's voice
and he jumped to his feet, to see hel
before him In her little blue cottoI
house dress. He stared a moment
then reached out his hand. Sh
, laughed.
, what fort"