Graham guardian., 1919-02-14
HER SACRIFICE
Observation-Disclosures
BY PEARL q. MEYER.

discerning will understand that Ma
bel was mistress of the house, not
maid.
Her gaze wandered often from her
task to the view framed by the long
window {Phn had put 10 above the sink
for this very purpose. Andthe view
the garden-kitchen garden, Of course,
but so attractively arranged In neat
plots and so gayly bordered by nodding
flowers that the eye could not help
but reap Joy and qualification with
every casual glance-the low hedge
and the fruitful. John-tilled fields be-
yond.
In Mabels opinion, the whole view
was there for only one purpose-to
form fitting background for the
broad -sh0uldered figure Of John. Shirt
sleeved, with arms comfortably crossed
and supporting his favorite briar in
one hand. he leaned against the gran
lte gatepOst and thought things ont.
As II she could read through that
thick mop Of hair into his head. she
knew his thoughts. She also knew they
had been the same for weeks.
She watched him grnvely. her hands
hanging idly In the cooling water. He
could never solve his problem alone.
Mabel wiped her hands deliberately.
still gazing fixedly from the window.
She felt that the moment for her to
act mad come. Leaving the dishes un.
washed In the pan. she sped through
the door down the path and halted,
painting at Johns side.
She felt his gaze resting on her; but
she could not lift her eyes. Staring
hard at the pipe in his hand, she sought
vainly for speech. The tumultuous
thoughts that had flooded her mind so
recently had ebbed as completely as II
they had never been. At length:
"John, your pipes gone out again.
"Bless me-" calculated John, In an
amused tone. "Is that what you ran
all the way from the house to tell
me2"
Angry with herself that she should
be so cowardly. torn by emotions she
could not express. Mabel hid a tear
wet face against her husbands sun.
burnt arm.
"Out with 1t, grille" he said en-
couragingly.
Mabel raised her head and smiled
into his eyes. Then she plunged into
| A.. % har ct,tNtnrt
"You can enlist, john
| Her husbands face expressed min
gled emotions. He slowly shook his
head.
"You know as well as do that m!
| duty Is here on the farm since ! car
find no one to take over the manage
ment. can't leave and allow IN!
crops to waste in the fields. What II
the use Of rehashing these arguments
I'VE gone over them thousand times
every day."
81 have secret" commenced Ma
bel abruptly. Last year when Wis
tied Della. we both took the summer
course In farming. Naturally, John
her eyes twinkled-"I don't know quite
as much as you; but | have been al
ears and eyes ever since | returned
Haven't you noticed how many ques
tions I've asked?"
John did not reply. He stood look
Ing over her head far off towardFth'
eastern horizon.
Mabel felt catch in her throat, bu
went bravely on.
81 know all about farm accounting
md testing seed and-and-every
thing" she concluded comprehensively
"Reary. John, dear, studied awfull!
hard. and I've been at 1t ever since
I shall never again want to leave th'
farm to live In city. Why. ever,
time turn round outdoors now Llearr
something new. think II farmers
wives would all hire women to az
their housework. and only had 10 thins
of meals to eat them, they could b'
So contented and would feel so profes
sional and grow so healthy working
with their husbands out In Gods fresf
air. have grown to love outdoors
In such a wonderful seeing way thar
sometimes can't stand the thought o.
roof over my head"
AS she talked, Johns hands were
tenderly smoothing her soft hair bac'
from her eager, flushed face.
Little wife, little wife," he whis
psred.
John. dear. honestly feel con
y,nced that, with what advice our goot
neighbors would give me II needed
It, and what can always receive iron
the university for the asking, ] coult
manage. And with the whole depart
ment Of agriculture fairly dancing NJ
and down with eagerness to answer al
my questions-how could failf
never dreamed how many friends tn
farmer has until began to study ant
TO pike through your files Of compiled
information" She looked anxiousl,
into his face. "You believe mer
"Mabel--yes," he calculated. But
dear, It isn't easy--even for man."
She slipped her arms around hi
neck.
"Women are doing thousand thing
today that are not easy-even for men
Shall I do less for others? There 4
nothing to keep you. You can go
John" His name had never seemed
sweeter from her lips than at this mo
ment.
He drew her closer to him, her darl
head against his heart. For lon
time they gazed deeply into enc
others eyes; then, their faces turne'
toward the western sky where the las