The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-06-19
Grace Livingston Hill Zuts

three rooms. A. man and his wife AND
some hired hands huddied around q
kerosene light, the men smoking and
playing cards; the wife knitting silent
ly in the rear.
They looked up %curiously to hear the
strangers story, half %incredulous
They had pot heard Of any railroad &C
cident. They lived 20 miles from the
railroad and went to town only once
a fortnight. ~sszesesssxE~
This you wife," questioned the
householder Of Holt.
jeans face famed scarlet as a new
embarrassment faced her. She had not
thought of proprieties until now. o.
course they existed even in the wilder.
mess.
Holt explained haughtily.
"H'm!" said the man still incredu'
Gus. "Any more in your party? Wal
my woman1l take keer your woman
fer t'night, an in the mornin' we ken
talk business. Vas, I've got horses,
but l need EN-" The man looked Gun.
ningly from one to the other of the
men.
Jean looked at Holt, and thought
how far above these people he seemed
as he stood haughtily by the door in
his wet and draggled clothing, with
the bearing OF a young king.
"Oh, l can pay for the horses" said
Holt, land see that they are returned,
too, il that is what is the matter,
And he pulled out a roll of bills and
threw several carelessly on the table.
Wal, that alters the case" said the
man more suavely; "of course, fer a
considerations"
Can we get some support" asked
Holt, cutting hira short. We've had
very little to eat all day, and this lady
is tired and hungry"
The mans Wife hustled forward.
Fer the land sake!" she exclaimed,
hungry this Time: O, night? We amt
got much ready, burt ther' was some
corn bread and polk Ief- from supper,
eff they'll do. The men is powahfuI
eatahs." 4.
She set out the best her house at
forded, cycling jeans tattered silk robe
enviously between trips to- the cup
board. The men went. on with their
card game and Jean; and Holt ate ia
silence. The girl was beginning to-
dread the night and to- wish for the
silence of the starlit world and the
protection of her strong, true. friend,
She did not like the look OF the men
who fumbled the dirty cards and cast
bold glances in her direction.
She was even more frightened when
she learned the arrangements that
were to be made for the night. She
was assigned to a bunk in a small
closet like roo opening from the big
room in which they were all sitting
which appeared to be kitchen, parlor
and dining room combined, and was
to be, for that night at least, sleeping
room for Holt and the other men, sew
eTal rolls OF army blankets being the
only visible provision made for their
comfort.
Holt managed to get opportunity to
whisper to her as the. men were dis
putting over their game while the
housewife retired to the guest cham
Der to red up
Don't you worry he treasured her
softly. "Ill bunk across in front OF
your door. You can sleep and trust
me-"
She flashed up at him a bright,
weary smile that sent a thrill Of Joy
through him and made him feel that
nothing in life could be better. than
to defend this girl who trusted: him.
In the early rose ana gold OF the
morning Jean awoke to the, smell. of
cooking ham and the sizzle, of eggs
frying just the other side Of her thin
partition, and knew that she had slept
in safety under guard of her new found
friend.
Jasper! Jasper Holtt.t. said a
strange, sweet voice within her. scul.
and she wondered at the beauty Of
the name and the thrill of possession
she felt in it.
Jean had a little money carefully
sewed inside her clothing. 1t was Ia
have done for her whoIe.Mestern trip
and bought gifts for the dear ones at
home before her return. Now she re
allied it was her fortune. she made
IA bargain with the woman OF the cabin
for q khaki skirt and blouse, OF doubt.
full cut and shabby mien, hut whole
and clean. For these she gave 50 and
the remains OF the once treasured, but
now tattered and Travelled staine, silk
robe she wore. And so twas as q
western girl, In riding skirt and blouse.