Ellsworth American., 1915-02-03

can keep me from Ii. You'll nave 70
make more money to buy stock with
or borrow. money"
The mans face went pale. and he at
tempted to moisten his dry lips His
red. heat intiamed eyelids seemed to
get redder. He spoke low:
IF you take that money it'll be like
robbing me and the boy"
Grace's face 1amed. and she spoke
roughly.
You are a fool. Sam Mcknight.
Every woman has got to.have change
once in awhile-once in ten years. at
least"
The boy looked at his parents in
wide eyed astonishment
Never before had he experienced any
thing like this. His mother afterward
ate little and sat with forced patience
until the hungry man and boy had fin
ished their supper
Then she rose wearily and tied her
apron about her waist She cleared
the table and began the irksome an9
seemingly never ending task OF wash
ing and drying dishes, while the dis
content OF continuous household druGg-
cry was plainly written upon her face.
The father silently took the milk
bucket from the shelf
You needn't pull of the calves to-
night boy he said huskily. Just
make down your pallet and so to sleep
Tomorrow will be a hard day for us
The man had gone to the pen where
the hungry calves were bawling. When
be came back be strained the milk and
washed the bucket Then. taking his
pipe. he went out and sat by the creak-
ing windmill and smoked
He slipped into the kitchen when the
morning star came Up and kindled the
fire. While the coffee was boiling he
went to the cowpen TO milk and feed
the horses
. When he came back the wife. with
the same weary, discontented look In
her eyes. was putting breakfast on the
table.
When breakfast was on the table
Sam went out and touched the boy on
the shoulder.
He rose and dressed quickly and
went into the dining room. where his
father was already eating He took
his place silently and gave bis atten-
ton to his food. Before the sun was
up they rode away There was a
strange comradeship that existed be.
tween this big man and little boy
They rode stirrup to stirrup for a long
time; then the boy asked:
What does she want to go Off for.
dadT'
The man turned away his face. You
will understand some day. son"
why don't you.teil her what we are
| going to have on the anniversary? the
boy queried Bet she'd stay them"
Il don't want to try to buy her love-
| SON
| The minds of L 9th we're filled with
| thoughts of this during the entire day.
| II was dark when they returned home.
| They went through the same routine
/ as on the previous night. If the man
had hoped the woman would change
her mind during the day he was disap-
| pointed, for he saw when he entered
the room that she had got out her
little trunk and had packed it, He ask
ed In very quiet. very calm voice:
| when are you goingy"
Her reply was not so calm.
/ In the morning. The boy will drive
| me to the station. You will give me a
check for my part OF the money"
You needn't be in no hurry to come
backw rejoined the man bitterly.
When the day that marked the ami
versary came the two did not go OF on
the range. but lazed around the house
doing up odd jobs. Toward the midGi ie
of the morning wagon with heavy
load came creaking up to the house.
Back up to the gallery and unload
her, boys" said Sam
The wagon was backed up according.
ly. and the huge. heavy thing was IN
loaded By the exerte,l strength OF all
the men it was moved into the house
and placed in the front room
The boy hustled around with consid
erable Importance. getting the Ratchet
and other tools for opening the box.
/ W. ueH tne 'front.' OF the DOX was re-
moved the room In the isolated little
ranch house was Illuminated by the
presence of piano
Its dandy, II shine counts for
anything" Sam remarked
When the piano man went away the
best horse on the ranch was led behind
the wagon. The bargain had been
made months before, and II was one
that had cost Sam something
Days slipped by. and the piano re-
manned silent Weeks went by. and
nothing was heard from the mother
who wanted a change. The man grew
restless, and the boy asked questions
Then the man fell sick Drinking
from the stagnant water holes over the