Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-11-13
One Snow Day
BETA DstfE. sss,lER
Copyright. 1910. b, we,.,;:. stwspnpet linton,

''Oh, come into this ii3use-please!
pIensel"
A girl who had just entered an old
and weather-beatcn cottage came rum
ming out again to its 'front.' doorway
with blanclicd face and the appeal
ing cry. She threw out her hands
plendtngly to a young man passing
along the street. II was showing
steadily and he carried. shovel over
one shoulder, his overcontlcss figure
suggesting man out of work and
looking for the same. AT once Arnold
Bruce threw down his shovel and has
tened to the porch where Ada Wayne
stood. 8.
1T is my fathcr!" she futtcred. "I
left him alone for half an hour, and
but now found him lying on the floor
senseless. He may be dend!"
The young man followed her into
room where. as If slipped from an
armchair at table, 4 white-haired old
man lay upon the floor. Bruce leaned
over him. Then he cast his eyes at
the table. Upon it was an empty
bottle and two glasses, and pen and
ink. Bruce lifted the senseless form
to a couch, shifted the mir, and said:
HE is only overcome-by drink, !
should say. young lady,"
Tears came into Ada'a eyes. "I1e
has been writing" she said. "Some
one brought him the cruel drink he
has kept away from SO long. Whe
could 1t be? Oh! my worst suspicious
IRE confirmed. Richard Markham has
been here taking advantage of my alb
sence. and there is no telling what lie
has induced father to sign"
"Fatller! Fnthcr" she cried. touch
ing his arm. yehemently. "Has Rich
ard Markham been here?'
Eyes. he came to see me, he brought
me some liquor, he promised me-
tones died away.
''Your father will be all right in 8
short tlme," encouraged Bruce. "Can
! be of any further assistance to you,
miss7"
81 think not" replied Ada brokenly.
II thank you for your kindness"
Arnold Bruce left the house, re-
gained his shovel and went to the next
house. There he received an order to
clean the snow from the sidewalk.
Half an hour later, coming to the end
Of the lot, he found Ada gazing rue
fully ut broken rusty old snow
shovel with which she had been Try
ing to clean the pavement in trent Of
her own home. Bruce eagerly pressed
his services upon her.
"Your shovel is out Of commission
for good, MISS" he observed. "Wlile
am at 1t, may as we'll clear your
little patch"
''lsut I've cannot afford-" began
Ada in an embarrassed way.
ooh, that trine!'' and he set at worl,
] and Ada came to the door as the
young man completed his task. On
the table inside was steaming coffee
pot and n plate of sandwiches. The
young man Dispatched the meal with a
zest that showed how much he needed
and appreciated the lunch.
II noticed card in the window" lie
said. "You have room for rent. If
| you would take homeless fellow like
myself and the charge is moderate, I'd
be glad to stay here. l have to earn
each day enough to carry ME, but
won't leave you in the lurch as to the
pay"
rob! wonld be glad to trust you,'
said Ada, and Bruce arranged to be-
come roo.ner In the house and went
\ out to seek new work. That evening
he divided his days earnings and paid
ahead for half weeks room rent. EIe
carried in some fuel from the wood.
shed and seemed happy and comforta.
BILE to find himself under a hospitable
roof. He frankly told his story to Ada
1--WE been wanderer for year,
he recited. "Quarreled with my fa.
ther and made a fool of myself gen
orally. I'm wiser now. and I wrote
home week ago telling the folks so
I'm expecting an answer any day"
Bruce was up bright and early the
next morning. He came into the
house flushed with the exercise Of
cleaning the garden walk, a snow
dampened paper in his hand.
II think I have found something ol
value to you, MISS" he said, and Ada
uttered a glad cry as she found the
paper to be document bearing the
signature of her father, turning 0vel
to Richard Markham their little prop
erty. Markham had evidently beer
himself dazed with drink aud hat
dropped the paper in his hurried
flight.
"I'm going to look into the claim Of
that rascal when get on my feet" de
clared Bruce. and that afternoon III
came in with q beaming face.
). 1--WE heard from flome!" he exulted
"and everything is all right. They'v,
sent me money. and 1t seems an aun
Of mine has left me more. But I'm 20
Ing to come back soon. Shall I? To-
to tell you how I've got along, dom
you sect"
His ewes bore a very earnest lnol