The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-09-24

and cows, Tor tney IouHu lhere "as
great demand for butter and eggs
at a little mining camp near by.
Guess what my luck was today,
Auntie," exclaimed Margaret as she
came in one day.
81 couldn't What is it," replied
her aunt wondering.
Il saw Mr.. Smith today, and he
wants to get work in the timber for
himself and boys. Father wants that
timber cleared and Mr.. Smith prom
ised he would clear and saw the
wood for half. Don't you call that
bit of luck for us, because we Will
need the wood this winter"
81 should think So" replitd her
aunt, and watching Margaret closely,
added, IL hear that Mr.. and Mrs. Sut-
ton are going west for year, and
that Robert is going to take care OF
the farm"
81 hope they will have a pleasant
journey" replied Margaret, quietly
very much interested In watching
her little gold fish just then.
AS winter advanced Margaret was
very busy caring for her few live
stock, and marketing the produce.
Through the long winter days and
evenings she talked and read to her
father from the experiment station.
| She learned that one of the causes
for her fathers failure in farming
was, that he believed in the one crop
system. For past ten or twelve years
! he had planted corn on certain
piece because he said it was the best
location The meadow for years had
been nothing but red top. Margaret
| had lard time in convincing him
that change would be a good thing,
! but finally she won her point. They
decided they would the next spring
pillow up, and SOW the old corn field in
clover, thus beginning crop rota-
Ition.
It became very common thing
for Robert Sutton to drop in and as
he said, cheer up the afflicted neigh
Dor" Mr.. Easton soon began to eX-
pect these visits, but Aunt Julia well
knew that there were other reasons
that prompted them. In this way Rob.
ert could easily learn all of Marguer-
cts plans, but Margaret remained
loutwardly independent and indifferent
on all these occasions. Yet Margaret
was not wholly Indifferent; and, as
spring came there grew up between
the young people a close affection, al
though neither expressed 1t in word.
VIXEN spring came Margaret began
enthusiastically to carry out her
plans. The spring seemed to favor
| her in every way, for by the last OF
June she could look with pride upon
her glowing fields of grain and thriv-
l ing brood of chickens The little
/ farm underwent a great change for
many of the buildings were repaired
} and the brush and weeds removed.
] "Auntie, if we have no misfortune,
believe we can make large pay
} ment on the mortgage at the first OF
the year. Won't papa be pleased"
y. exclaimed Margaret one afternoon to
2 her aunt.
HE sure will be. You're a brave
: girl, Margaret, and I'm proud of you
e replied her aunt in warmest tones.
For q moment Margaret stood look
3 ing out of the window, then with
: whirl of her bonnet she left the house
:. with the words, Pm going for holi'
d day." half hour later Robert SUIT
!, ton appeared in the doorway and ask
3 ed for Margaret. Aunt Julia told him
e she was out for holiday. He betook
= himself at once down the orchard
$ path, for he well knew where her
d faVOrite spot was. He found her at
G the old spring AS he approached
he thought there could be nothing
more beautiful than the picture Mar
. garet made as she leaned against the
old windlass, while the sun played
;, upon her face and hair through the
:, leaves of the overshading cottonwood.
p He went directly to her, and, taking
; her hand, said very tenderly, Mar
! garet, | want to ask you something"
- She blushed, trembled. but did not
= withdraw her hand.
: MY parents are not going to re-
= turn for another year, and | want
:. you to help me take care of the farm:
: Will you come, Margaret" he asked
= plead.ngly.
For moment or two Margaret
u stood there silent with downcast eyes
p then slowly withdrawing her hand,
y raised her eyes steadily TO his, and
: answered:
Il mo, Robert, not until my fathers
e farm is saved will ! come"
q Robert pleaded his case well, hut
;, Margaret stood firm and soon he de-
I parted sorrowfully, but not hopeless
! ly.
\ Summer ripened into fall and Mar
! garet was very busy taking care of
d her harvest and crop. Her father in
c a years time improved very much
n and was now able to be moved about
/: in wheel chair One afternoon
q Margaret was greatly surprised when
+ her aunt informed her that a gentle
r man was present who wished to buy
, the place and that she was wanted
in her fathers room.
) We'll, Margaret" said Mr.. Easton
0 as she came in, this gentleman wish
0 es to buy the place. He offers seven
S ty and you know | only asked sixty.
/ | am willing to let him have the
t place. What do you say?"
d Margaret stood some time in
thought. That certainly was q good
s price. They could pay the mortgage
1 and still buy them a small place. She
+ would take up teaching.
I Let him have the farm" replied
n Margaret at last, and quickly left the
\ room.
Silently and sadly Margaret visited
y all her old favorite Aaunts, but, when
e she came to the old spring she sat
!, down and burying her face in her
. lap. wept.
Il can't give you up, little farm.
would rather be a farmer than any
: thing alaa - che rnoanad holf aloud