The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-07
TX (continued).

gathered up his suit cases and started
on.
4 am going to carry my suit case"
| declared a Very decided voice behind
him, and a small hand seized hold OF
Its handle.
Il beg your pardon, you are mott" de-
clared Gordon in a much more deter
mined voice.
"But they are too heavy for you
both OF them-and the umbrella. too"
she protested. Give me the umbrella
then
But he would not give her even the
umbrella, rejoicing in his strength to
shield her n bear her burdens, AS
she walked beside him, she remembered
vividly a morning when George Hayne
had made her carry two heavy baskets,
that his hands might be free to shoot
birds. Could this be the same George
Hayne?
Altogether. it was a happy walk, and
far shorter than either had expected 1t
to be, though Gordon worried not a lit
tie about his frail companion before
they came to the outskirts OF the VIII
lage, and kept begging her TO sit down
and rest again, but she would not. She
was quite eager and excited about the
strange village to which they were
coming. It's outlying farm houses were
all so clean and white, with green
blinds folded placidly over their front
windows, ana only their back doors
astir. The cows all looked peaceful,
and the dogs all seemed friendly.
They walked up the village street,
shaded In patches with flecks OF sun
shine through the young leaves. III
night before that she would have
walked and talked thus today with her
bridegroom she would have laughed
him to scorn But now all unconscious
Iy she had drifted into an attitude OF
friendliness with the man whom she
had thought to hate all the rest Of her
life,
One long. straight, maple lined street.
running parallel to h stream, COM
prised the village. They walked to the
center OF it, and still saw no signs OF a
restaurant. A postuffice, a couple OF
stores and a bakery made up the busi-
ness portion of the town, and upon
inquiry 1t appeared that there was no
public eating house, the one hotel OF
h pla:e having been sold at auction
the week before on account OF the death
or the owner. The early village loung-
ers stared distinterestedly at the
phenomenal appearance in their
midst of q couple of city folks
with their luggage and no apparent
means OF transit except their two
delicately shod feet. 1t presented a
problem too grave to be solved unas-
sisted, and there were solemn shakings
OF the head over them. At last one who
had discouragingly stated the village
lack OF q public inn asked casually:
He'd a runaway"
"oh. no." laughed Gordon pleasantly.
We didn't travel with horses"
He'd a puncture, then" announced
the village wiseacres shifting from one
foot to the other.
.hesaNVol III 4rott ,nnx,a flz I---..E ~
70 git. help, said another Ianguid list
ener. Thur amt nc garridge here. The
Teller what used TO keep it skipped out
with Sam Calls wife a month ago.
You'd ought to Ia turned back to ASH
vile. They got a good blacksmith there
AN tinker We up"
is that SOP" said Gordon Interested
~. Well now that's too bad, but per.
haps as 1t can't be helped wen have
tc forget it. What's The next town on
ahead and how far?"
Sugar Groves two mile further on.
and Missions V They've got q gar
ridge and a RESTRAINT to Milton. but
that's only the railroad built a
junction there"
Has any one here a conveyance I
could hire to take US to Milton2 ~ ques-
TONED Gordon. looking ~anxiously about
the INCIDENT group.
wouldn't want 10 drive to Milton
Tor less'n so" declared a lazy youth
after a suitable pause.
Very well" said Gordon. How soon
can you be ready, and what sort OF al
rig nave YOU? WIN II be comfortable
for the LADY,"
The youth eyed the graceful womanin
her dainty city dress scornfulIy. His
own country lass was dressed far pref
tier to his mind; but the eyes OF her
so blue, like the little weed-fiowers at
her breast, went To, his head. His
tongue was suddenly tied.
ITS all right, It's as goods you'll
get! volunteered a sullen faced man
sitting on a sugar barrel. He, was
Of a type who preferred to see FASH
ionable ladies uncomfortable.
The youth departed for his team"
and after some inquiries Gordon found
h a he might be able to persuade the
cyyner of the tiny white colonial cot
across the street to prepare a snack
for himself and his companion, so
they went across the street and waited
ID minutes in a dank little hair cloth
parlor adorned in funeral wreaths and
knit tides, for a delicious breakfast OF
poached eggs, coffee, home made bread,
butter like roses, and a comb OF amber
honey. To each the experience was a
new one, and they enjoyed III together
k two children, letting their eyes
speak volumes OF comments In the
midstGof the old lady's yolubility. Tn
consciously by their experiences they
We're being brought into sympathy with
each Other.
The rig" when it arrived at the
door driven by the blushing youth
proved to be a high spring wagon with
two seats. In the front one the youth
lounged without a thought of assisting
his passengers. Gordon swung the bag
gage Up, and then lifted the girl into
the back seat, himself taking the place
beside her, n planting a firm hand
and arm behind the baclless seat, that
she might feelsmorea secure.
That ride, with his arm behind her,
was just one more link in the pretty
chain OF sympathy that was being
welded about, these two. Unconsciously
more and more she began to droop, n
til when she grew very tired he seemed
to know at once.
Just lean against my ARM he said.
you must be very tired and IL will
help you bear the jolting." He spoke
ss II his arm were made OF wood or
iron. and was merely one OF his be-
longings, like an umbrella or suit case.
IIaENSaaA. fFm AArrk. A.