Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1917-01-26
SHE CHANGED
HER MIND
But She Had a Good Rea-
son For Doing So
By RUTH GRAHAM

! uOWu upOu d AIIle CdDlu Oh Tic uTy
prairies OF western Kansas, lighting
up the faces Of young man and wo-
man who were slowly walking up and
! down the open space before the door.
II was so happy, Rachel" the man
said, glancing at the strong, beautiful
face of his companion, "when heard
your school up in the Wyoming noun
tains was closed and you were coming
home. 1 thought you were coming to
stay this time. 1 hope so, for, Rachel,
I've loved you long time"
Dan Southland leaned toward the girl
to study the effect Of his avowal on
her.
But Rachel Winton betrayed no emo
ton.
She merely turned her dark eyes
from the mans eager face and looked
off across the moonlit prairie.
T've been working and waiting, Ra-
cbel," he continued, his voice husky
with feeling, until 1 had something
to offer you. was sure you wouldn't
give up teaching for just anything
| you're not Cnat KIM.
but I've loved you ever since two
years ago, when we all came out to
these prairies together In our covered
wagons. 1 remember, after we were
here, how bravely 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 it. We came because it was
the only thing to do, but this pioneer
life is a hard, hard one.
"In my heart l am at war with it
and always have been. 1t 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 l 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.
1 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 ranchman"
"Mr. Miles has bsen 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 anOtherw the
young man cried, his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
"YOu mustn't care so much, Dam"
she returned, tender pity for his suf-
fering making her tones kind. Get
better girl to share your hOme-one
who will love you enough to make the
best of this hard life"
"Never, never, Rachel!' he answered,
with passion. 81 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
as he is, will never love you as 1 do,
RachelI Never!'
II couldn't love any man well enough
to give up all enjoy and settle down
to this isolated life, this continual
treadmill of drudgery," she retorted,
turning away; then in a milder tone,
Forget me, Dan"
Forget her! That he would never
do-he never could. There was a time
1T was when they lived in their COW
cred wagons and camped at night by
the trail; yes, and even after they
were settled here-that he had thought
she cared for him.
Those had been the happiest days In
Southard's life He had never dream
ed that she hated those free, rolling
prairies so intensely.
Blind to this, he had been toiling on
! his new claim to get things In good
shape before asking her to marry him.
Bitterly now he felt that 1t was all
labor lost, for without Rachel Winton
nothing was worth while.
After gazing at the girl moment in
silent reproach Southland walked over
to his. tethered horse mounted and
rode away.
The moon climbed higher as Rachel
stood looking after the vanishing
horseman.
Poor Dam she murmured. He
is so strong and good. Father and
mother love him like a son, but just
can't, can'tw And the tears gathered
in her eyes.
II was intended for something bet
ter. If wasn't, why should dislike
the rough, crude ways of pioneer life
so terribly"
With this question on her lips Rachel
Winton entered the cabin, where her
parents were already asleep, and
sought her couch.
For long time she lay awake, her
mind, much against her will, busy COM
pairing young Southland and Mr.. Niles
Dams clear cut but somewhat boyish
face lost nothing by comparison with
that of the bearded, middle aged ranch
man who had been woOing her per
| RiStentlY for tho mast wear