Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-03-27
SIZE CHANGED
HER MIND
But She Had a Good Rea-
son For Doing So

But She Had q Good Rea- I
I son For Doing So !
( BY RUTH GRAHAM )
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The full September moon shone
down upon a little cabin on the dry
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.
"I was so happy. Rachel" the man
said, glanciAg 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. / thought you were coming to
stay this time. hope so, for, Rachel.
rye loved you long time"
Dan Southard 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
of across the moonlit prairie.
"I've been working and waiting Ra-
cbel," he continued. bis voice husky
with feeling. "untl I 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 bravely you worked to help
your parents get started of 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 &c.
curity debt, the house we were forced
to leave when we came here! Mother
and were not very brave, for we
shed tears most Of the way, though no
one knew It. We came because 1t was
the only thing to do. but this pioneer
life is a hard, hard one.
I'm my heart I am at war with It
and always have been. It takes away
youth and kills all high and noble am
bitions. See how mother has aged dur
ing the two years we have lived here.
Il makes me bitter. That's why I 60
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 a
catch in his voice, "Say, grille, there's
no truth in the report about your car.
Ing for that rich Wyoming ranchmanT
"Mr. Miles has been very kind TO
ne" she answered without pretending
not to understand. "He has offered to
let father and mother have the lovely
home he owns in Denver II I'll marry
him. 1t would be an ideal place for
them to end their days in.'
"My God. grille! couldn't stand 1t
to see you the wife Of another!" the
young man cried, his strong frame
shaken with emotion.
"You mustn't care so much, Dan"
she returned, tender pity for his sui.
fering making her tones kind. "Get
a 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. II love only you. II
you could but read my heart and see
how much, you would surely care just
a little for me. Your ranchman, rich
as he is. will never love you as I do.
Rachel! Never!"
II couldn't love my man well enough
70 give up all l enjoy and settle down
to this isolated life. this continual
treadmill Of drudgery." she retorted.
turning away; then In milder tone.
Forget me. Dan"
Forget her! That he would never
do-he never could. There was time
1t was when they lived In their GOV
cred wagons and camped at night by
the trail; yes. and oven after they
were settled here-that he had thought
she cared for him. '" ,.f ~
Those had been the hnppiest days In
Southard's life. He had never dream
ed that she hated those free, rolling
prairies 81 Intensely. i. - d. ,. D.
Blind to tbs, he had been toil.n3 on
his new clai:i to gcs things in good
shape before asking her. to marry him.
Bitterly now he felt that It was all
labor lost. for without Rachel Wintdn
nothing was wcrth while. b.
After gazing at the girl moment In
silent reproach Southland walked over
to his tethered horse. mounted and
rode away. 80 -..-Al g:.t -.
.; The moon climbed higher US Rachel
stood looking after { the vanishing
horseman. 80" go h'5 ~" 'i-s ~
poor Danr. she murmured. HE
Is so strong and good. Father, and
mother love him: like son. but ! just
can't, can'tw And the tears gathered
in her eyes. "a ~.
II, was. intended for something bet
ter. If. I wasn't, why should l dislike
the rough. crude ways Of pioneer life
20 terltblyT" = - l.+"
: With this question on her lips Rachel
winton entered the cabin; where her
parents were already, asleep. and
aought her couch. ;oh ,i4eSal4 ?.
For long time she lay awake. her
mind, much against her will. busy com.
pairing young Southard and Mt. 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
sistently for the past year.
Life with one meant the unceasmg
drudgery Of the prairie, farm; with the
other, wealth to enable her to, live
rvhn~ovor cho YntOht chooaa horaolf ana