The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-15
SHE CHANGED
HER MIND
But She Had a Good Rea-
son For Doing So
By RUTH GRAHAM

$%<+$+<<<**+$*+<*+**+*$*$+
The full September moon shon'
down upon q little cabin on the dr..
prairies Of western Kansas, lghtin,
up the faces OF a young man and wo
man who were slowly walking up ano
down the open space before the door.
II was 80 happy, Rachel" the maj
said, glancing ct the strong. beautiful
face Of his companion, when heard
your school up in the Wyoming noun
talns we closed and you were coming
homa thought you were coming to
stay this time hope 80. for. Rachel
Tve loved you a long time"
Dan Southland leaned toward the girl
10 study the effect Of his avowal on
her.
But Rachel Winton betrayed no emo
| tion.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
OF across the moonlit prairie.
I've been working and waiting. Ra-
cbel," he continued, his voice husky
with feeling, until l had something
to offer you. / was sure you wouldn't
give Up teaching for Just anything
you're not that kind.
"But I've loved you ever since two
years ago. when we all came out to
these prairies together in our covered
wagons. ! remember. after we were
here. how bnvely you worked to help
your parents get started Off comfort
ably before you went with your uncle
to Wyoming to teach that ranch
school,"
"Dan." she exclaimed almost sternly.
II haven't ceased to remember our old
house, which father lost ON that Sc
curity debt, the house we were forced
to leave when we came here! Mother
and l were not very brave, for we
shed tears most Of the way, though no
one knew 1t. We came because It was
the only thing to DO, but this pioneer
hfe ia d hard, bard ona
"In my heart l am at war with 1t
and always have been. It takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
billions. See how mother has aged dur.
Ing the two years we have lived here.
1t makes me bitter. That's why I go
back to teach. I'm going to make
enough to take them away from this
life"
But, Rachel" he pleaded, you shall
never work as your mother has had to.
promise It" Then, suddenly, with /
catch in his voice, Say, grille, there's
no truth In the report about your car
Ing for that rich Wyoming ranchmanr'
"Mr. Miles has been very kind to
me-" she answered without pretending
not to understand. HE has offered to
let father and mother have the lovely
home he owns In Denver If I'll marry
him. 1t would be an ideal place for
them to end their days In
MY God, grille! l couldn't stand it
to see You the wife Of anothery' the
young man cried. his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
"YOu mustn't care 80 much. Dan"
she returned. tender pity for his suf
ferfng making her tones kind. sect
better girl to share your home-one
who will love you enough to make the
best Of this hard lie"
Never. never, Rachelw he answered.
with passion. IL love only YOU. If
you could but read my heart and see
how much. you would surely care Just
! little for me. Your ranchman. rich
IS he Is, will never love you as do,
Rachel! Never-'
Il couldn't love any man well enough
% give up all 1 enjoy and settle down
% this isolated life, this continual
Of drudgery," she retorted.
urning away; then In a milder tone
Forget me. DAN"
Forget her. That he would never
lo-he never could. There was n time
1t was when they lived in their GOV.
red wagons and camped at night nv
ne trail; yes, and even after they
we're settled hepe-that he had thought
he cared for him.
Inose mad been the happiest days in
'outhard's life. He had never dream
d that she hated those free. rolling
rairies so intensely.
Blind to this. he had been toiling on
is new claim to get things In good
hape before asking her to marry him ,
Bitterly now he felt that It was all
abor lost for without Rachel Winton !
othing was worth while. ,
After gazing at the girl a moment in
ient reproach Southland walked over
his tethered horse. mounted and T.,
ode away.
Inc moon climbed higher as Racbe,
TODD looking after the vsnisbing Z
orseman.
Poor Dan" she murmured "Ha q
SO strong and good. Father and /
lother love him like a son. but I inst
ant. can't" And the tears gathered 7
| her eyes.
was intended for something bet. q
r. IL l wasn't, why should l dislike ,
lie rough Pru6o "a