The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-11-30

uutlcS WOuiU Ut likely 10 De at times
in the neighborhood and come to see
her.
Salina heard from him indirectly.
An old neighbor visited her, who had
met Royd down the valley.
"He asked about you, Mrs. Burgess"
the informant told her. "He was sur
prised when l Informed him of
your grand move. He looked seri-
GUS. Robbed her, eh? and she is
quite poor. I'm going to call on her
when work down the valley on my
surveyors trip!' l say, Mrs. Burgess,
that would have been sure match for
you If YOU had stayed at Riverton,
wouldn't it?'
But Salina only blushed and looked
embarrassed and tried to laugh away
the matter. All the same from that
day forward She set about making the
rude and humble home as presentable
as possible.
One day Royd came to the place.
He found Salina neat and trim Of
garb, sweet and glad of spirit. The
house was neat as pin. She cooked
him a meal that made him long for
moro. Barren as the land was she
had raised some hardy vegetables. had
four cows and milk which She sold ut
n large profit to laborers working
along the river, and chickens galore.
'You are smart. capable woman"
declared Royd with sincerity. "1t's
shame they sold you this wretched
piece of desert land. when there are
such desirable sites further up the
stream"
And then thoughtful, calculating
expression came into the face of
Royd. He took quite scientific sur
vey of the barren forty acres. He
crossed it to where at it's inner edge
the ground depressed to the bed of a
purtling stream that wound in and
out and ten miles farther on Joined
the Pearl river.
"She's got it," he cried abruptly
and his eyes sparkled at the sugges.
ton of mighty idea.
Mrs. Burgess" he said as he babe
her adieu late that afternoon. "you
would never have tumbled into this
awkward land ownership if had beer
by to advise you.''
II know that" sighed Salina, con.
vincetlly.
"There is way out. Will you help
me find it,"
Salina fluttered. She half fan.
cfed he was going to propose then
and there, but he did not. He was q
slow-going, methodical man, and the
time was not ripe for matrimony vet,
he wisely decided. II want you to
promise not to sell this land without
consulting me-"
THAT isn't difficult" smiled Salina,
"who would buy it,"
"YOu don't know, others may see
value in it for some specific pur Jose.
Will you make that promise?"
"Why, certainly" agreed Salina.
"And If anyone asks you your price,
say ten thousand dollars"
"Oh, Bernardo" cried Salina in
amaze. Then in CONSERVATION she
added: Il mean, Mr.. Royd: yes. yes,
I'll do 1t, but no danger of anyone ask.
lng!"
''Wait and see." and with those
mysterious words Royd went his way.
Salina watched him till he was out of
sight.
''Dear. honest soul!" she murmured.
II am afraid love him"
"A sweet, smart home body" muir.
INJURED Royd. "Some day, maybe, and
hope"
Three businesslike men announcing
themselves as commissioners of the
company tramped all over the forty
acres one day month later. After
looking ut it's environment critically
they came to the house.
''YOu are the owner of this plateau
land?" inquired one of the gentlemen
courteously.
eyes, SIR" bowed Salina.
I'VE can use this location in our en-.
cheering operations, we find. It is
not worth much as farm. You have
yOuk price!
"Ten thousand dollars" replied
Salina sturdily.
The gentleman stared. Then their
spokesman smiled.
II see you have been advised" he
observed. Every we'll. we will con.
slider the Offer"
A few days later Salina received q
letter from the Office of the develop
ment company. The ten thousand dol.
lars was ready for her. In the course
of week the money was paid. She
marveled, but held her counsel, re.
turned to Riverton. placed the money
in bank and went to stay with lady
friend until she could decide what to
do with all this suddenly acquired
wealth. She wondered why Mr.. Royd
had not come to see her. She knew,
one evening.
He made an explanation. The com.
pany owned nearly mile back from
Pearl river. Royd had made a sug.
sestion to blow away the hill on the
forty acres. divide the river, have II
flow into the little creek and this
diversion. or rather distribution nj