Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-03-13
she can wear clothes. ana In the buss-
ness that's o~vorv%bip~SW

ia ~ONN
at herself. She was quite 40 and the
stock companies had made her feel 1t.
An old trouper like me-" she went on.
watches q lot Of these kids smoke up
and go out. But Aurelie. here. is class.
Where h got 1t, God knows!"
When Hen and Ben make another
fortune" pursued Aurelie. they're go
Ing to buy the tin opera house and
XII come back a leading oma and
show these old grannies something's"
Miss Norman laughed YEARLY.
Plainly Hen and Ben were provocative
OF gle to professional people. "Angel
Hem" h mdrmured.
o old Hen!" said Aurelie. Then.
quite innocently, mi. Curran, do you
know Hen McFetrick wanted to marry
lAe:"
.N-ro-" Mr.. Curran looked evas-
lively at Harlan. Janet had an inn
preston that Harlan was fighting down
a blaze of anger.
But then" went on Aurelie-"every-
body was good to me-"
Wanting to marry YOU. Aurelie?'
faltered Mr.. Curran: do you call that
being good to you?"
o course demurely, at least it's
interesting"
Harlan was on his feet. He at
tempted to pass her, and she looked up
in wonder.
You're not going, Harlan. Why. sit
down. Tell me all about yourself. I
thought'-she Observation-Disclosures you'd
been east you'd be q great man by
now!"
I'm practising law here" he an
swered quietly.
Going to settle down here?"
She looked at him with a pity that
stung him. She had grown so amaz-
ingly in the ear. Il shouldn't think
you could stand 1t. I couldn't. Oh, to
be somebody! And do something! 1
remember the nights I used to climb
the hills and stare off across the river
and wonder! Out there was something
hadn't sent my picture to the paper
I'd have been there yet-climbing
Eagle Point trail at sunset to watch
the light 60 out-just as lonely as Of
old"
Some way or other they were still.
And dear Old Mich!" she went on
softly. Done come up-river! Done
goin' to occupy the land! That's what
he'd say. Done goin' to find the land
of joy!" She urned to Wiley suddenly.
And before I go lam going to climb the
hills once more. And I'm going out to
see EN- all. if Papa Lindstrom will let
me on the place. l just want some
body whose eyes get brighter when l
come among EN-. And Uncle Mich's,
will. Mr.. Curran!"
II know they will, Aurelie. And
Knute's and Peters and the baby's!
And surely all Of US! The land Of Joy?
You'll bring it to them out there. Au-
and money-they'd have half-starved
last winter. when Albert, the pedler,
was sick, If you hadn't done that. John
knew you were sending the money.
too. but he pretended he did not. Why,
we all like you. Aurelie."
tTsVN Clo - c11~ - -A--l
In the doorway looking owe h town
with a forgiving and proud simplicity.
They do like her." drawled the tired
blonde woman from her chair. I've
been In stock five years. End before
that seven over the Beckmeyer &
I've seen 'em all. When I tie to q Kid.
she's got to have 1t. Split-week vaude-
vile and cheap stock don't leave you
no illusions. But Aurelie-Im going to
take this kid to New York and get her
in right II I rave to sell my shoes."
Are o going there to act7" in
quired Mr.. Curran innocently.
Who? Me? The spotlight artist
sat up and turned her heavy, good
humored face to him. "Oh, Gawd-me
on Broadway! Say, you're one Of these
jay humorists. amt you? Cut out the
funny stuff"
Now. Ada"-burst forth Aurelie-
SOu liluSIIl I ldlh So: lou re- the DcSL
and kindest woman I ever knew!" She
turned defiantly to the others: .""Oh. tho
days and nights III coached me, and
~rehearsed me-and dressed me-and
told me how to behave at hotel tables
and everything! Mon Dieu! Each
night say a little prayer for Ada
Norman!" She finished softly and
was staring out the window. Maybe
this town was right in laughing at me
In the old days. l guess I was funny!
And l felt so bitter when ! went away.
But sitting here in Mr.. .Curran's old
shop. somehow, all that is dead. The
birds singing up the cliff and the smell
Of the corn AND clover-it's all SO
peaceful. guess I was wrong
everybody would have been my friend
If I'd have let them. And now life is
big and beautiful. I almost think peo-
pie would be glad to see mel could
just love the old place!"
Miss Vance glanced out to where her
brother was bringing the buggy across
the street. Harland, in the doorway,
was listening. But only Mr.. Culfan
looked at her. II Aurelie had breathed
q prayer for forgiveness he could not
have stood In more mute reverence.
And suddenly. Janet turned to see his
eyes. Then h crossed to Aurelie and
lifting h girls face, kissed her cheek.
She could not tell what compassion,
what unutterable remuneration. moved
her. Only she knew thai to Curran,
Aurelia would vel be the princess
whom he had released from the
witches spell. This was the secret Of
his kindling fires, his new and exult-
ant life. For Janet there would be the
steadfast work, the long road. She
would still the faint dream of a mans
love. The other sort OF woman, the
primal appeal. would win. Well, she
did not need this love, then.
She left A11rolio In n ob1y e,,~,cs.o
and Wiley In wonder at this demon
stration. Janet was not given to It..
He watched her and Arne drive away
and Harlan cross to the court house.