The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-06-19

A !.
three rooms. A man and his wife and
some hired hands huddled around a
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 not heard Of any railroad &C,
cident. They lived 20 miles from the
railroad and went to town only once
a fortnight.
"This your wife?" questioned the
householder of Holt. au
I Jeans face famed scarlet IS a new
embasfasSmsns~faced her. She had not
thought Of proprietles until now. OF
course they existed wen in the wilder
ness. ,..
Holt explained haughtily.
HIM" said the man still incredu.
Gus. eAny more in your party? Wal.
my womanrl take keer your woman
fer t'night, an in the mornin' we ken
talk business. Vas, I've got horses,
but I need EN-" The man looked cum
ningly from one to the other of the
men. % @ ~ r.
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 a 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
consideration" III.
"Can we, get some SUPPER" asked
Holt, cutting him 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, but Their was some
corn bread and polk lef from supper,
eff they'll do. The men is powahful
eatahs." .
She set out the best her house ar.
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 in
silence. The girl was beginning to
dread the night and to wish for the
silence Of the starfit worfd 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 vas 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 room 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
eral rolls of army blankets being the
only visible provision made for their
comfort. q r.
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. "ITl bunk across in front OF
your door. You can sleep and trust
me-"
She flashed mp 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 II 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. '' ~5.,.
Jasper! Jasper Holt!" said 9
strange, sweet voice within her soul
and she wondered at the beauty Of
the name and the thrill of possession
she felt In 1t.
Jean had a little money carefully
sewed inside her clothing. 1t was t
have done for her whole western triI
and bought gifts for the dear ones al
home before her return. Now she re
allied 1t was her fortune. She made
a bargain with the woman of the cabir
for a khaki skirt and blouse, of doubt
full cut and shabby mien, but whole
and clean. For these she gave 81 ant
the remains of the once treasured, bu'
now tattered and travelled staine, sill
strobe she wore. And so 1t was as &
western girl, in riding skirt and blouse
that she emerged from the little close
where she had slept, but so wholly wal
she able to ~subjugate her clothes, ant
so exquisitely did her flower face ant
golden brown hair set them off, tina
they took on a style and beauty en-
} tirely out Of their nature; and thei
former owner stared in wonder ant
sighed with envy as she beheld. l
/ had not been the .silken garment tina
made this girl a queen. but her owl
beauty Of c~ountenance and regal bear
> ing; for here were her own old clothe
worn like a royal robe, making tn,
, stranger lovely a. the morning.
, Holt looked at the girl In startle'
wonder when she appeared. SO trig an,
1 sweet In her travelling garb, ready 70
: the next stage OF her journey. an