The Red Cloud chief., 1914-02-12
CYCLE OF SAMENESS
BY kATHRiNE HoPsoN.

Heaton homestead. Why. little Mrs
Heaton and calm. determined Aun,
Caroline bent over the quilting frames
with energetically flashing needles
Lois Heaton. a slender fair girl, sat
embroidering by the window. As she
TOOK def. dainty stitches, she looked
the picture Of peace and content.
ment, but in reality she was harbor.
Ing fierce rebellion.
Il had lowed that six quilts would
be enough-with the pretty comforts
we are going to make" remarked Mrs.
Heaton tentatively.
When | was married a girl al
ways had dozen Of everything for
her setting out" returned Aunt Caro-
line firmly. That saved her making
anything for long time"
Yes, but Lois says folks don't lay
In such supply, nowadays" defended
Mrs, Heaton.
styles change so, brides like to be
able to get something new once in a
while" put in Lois.
Aunt Caroline shifted We'll, cold
weather don't change none, and
guess folks need plenty OF quilts now
just as much as they ever did"
That's So" returned Lois, strug.
Cling to keen the irritation out Of her
voice. She was becoming worn by
the needless discussion that took place
over every detail Of her rousseau
II must get away where can
think" The petty confines Of the
crowded room seemed suddenly un.
bearable. and she longed for the free
dom Of untrammeled spaces. I'm
going for the mall" she explained to
the others.
The Heaton's mail box was a half
mile from the house. near four cross
roads. for the convenience Of the rural
carrier, and 1t was Lois daily exer.
else to get the mail. Today, wrapped
In long, warm coat and furs, with
scarlet tam on her fluffy hair. she
walked rapidly down the road. crunch.
ing the dry. crumbly snow beneath
her feet.
II can't can't 60 on" she de-
clared stormily. II can't give up my
dreams of romance and adventure,
and settle down tamely here in Endi-
colt for the rest Of my days as Will
Ellis wife. Our family has always
been SO practical and methodical, and
VIII is even more so. Oh, II some
thing would happen-some real 70
nance in my life!"
Jingling sleigh bells announced an
approaching team. and Lois turned
aside mechanically to let them pass.
But the driver drew rein. and said in
cordial country fashion. I'VE seem to
be going the same way. may give you
a lift, Miss Heaton?"
She turned and saw Harry Wen
dell, a young man who has his coun.
terpart in every community. Dashing.
handsome, the spoiled son of wealthy
parents, he furnished gossip for half
the countryside.
Still in her adventurous mood, Lois
graciously accepted his offer Of ride.
and moment more was seated beside
him In the cutter.
TITS hardly worth while putting you
to the trouble to help me in" she
laughed. for I'm only going as far as
the cross roads for the mail"
I'm on my way to Clayville-got a
little business to see to at the bank-I
can make the round trip in an hour
and half. What's to hinder your 60.
ing too?"
"Why-nothing. I guess" she re-
turned lightly, her hazel eyes smiling
defiance to his.
TITS a 60. then" he lightly nicked
the horses with his whip. and they
quickened their trot. The monoton.
ously familiar landscape was buried
beneath a covering Of glittering. blue
white snow that made 1t seem q world
enchanted.
Lois leaned back against the com.
Portable seat with a sigh Of luxurious
comfort. Here was unexpected TO-
nance. She had known Harry Wen.
dell all her life and they had attend
ed high school together. but he had
never paid her any particular atten.
ton. I'm not the type of girl he ad-
mires." she had told herself. piqued-
by his Indifference.
But today this creature Of glowing
cheeks and luminous eyes who laughed
and talked with joyous abandon was
not the quiet demure girl Wendell had
always known. He looked and looxed
again. and at last In the middle of
something she was saying broke In:
why have we known each other all
our lives and never really been &C.
quainted before? Or perhaps l should
put 1t the other way around Having
been always acquainted why haven't
we really known each other?"
Probably because you have never
tried to know me-"
II should have II you had shown me
your real self" He leaned nearer.
I'VE all have SO many moods, it's a
problem Just which Is our real self"
Her smile held mystery and allure
Iment. lnwardly she was thinking