The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-11-11
The
Misht Wife
BY RALPH HAMILTON
"a, 1870. western Newspaper Union,

been brought up to marrtageable
age with comfort, even luxury, and
had held their heads high because
their father, Robert Forbes, was able
to supply them with money and dress,
and was supposed to be a wealthy
man. 6s
On the contrary Aleck was home
spun and careless in his ways. He
loved to fish, to sail, to hang around
the village and make friends. When
he was through with his schooling he
took a humble position in local store,
and when his sisters reprOached him
for lack Of pride. said in his cheer
full. off-handed way:
I'm happiest among the old friends
I've been brought up among"
"A high ambition, truly snapped
out Maud. Father expected you
would 60 into. the law and make a
mark in the world" but Aleck only
laughed and declared that year in
a dusty, hot office would use him up.
"And there's Nellie Dustin. Surely,
Aleck, it isn't true that you are going
regularly with her. -
Its true, and Pm glad" responded
Aleck. "She's a jewel"
"She's a misfit, so far as our family
is concerned" insisted Maud. ~Why,
her folks are among the poorest in
town. They amount to nothing pos
itively in a social way. What are you
thinking about?"
Marrying her next month, if she'll
have me-" replied Aleck. 'Of course
you girls think she's a nonentity be
cause she is not given to frivolity and
dress, but she can cook all around the
three of you put together and we are
going to simply love one another and
be happy" >S
/ The severest censure of the three
lofty sisters followed the act Aleck
had predicted. In quiet, unostenta-
tious way he welded Nellie Dustin.
His father had been failing for years,
ever since his wife had died. the
daughters were all married and had
homes of their own, and Robert Forbes
was glad to have his son and his wife
assume the responsibility of running
the old homestead. VI
His death brought a climax in the
hopes and expectations Of his four
children. Although tile old home had
fallen into decay and represented lit.
tie value. Robert Forbes was esteem
ed to be a man of quite some means.
For several years, however, he had
INDUCED in erratic whims and one OF
them was proclivity for turning his
money into diamonds. To his way OF
thinking they were the real standard
of value, and to relatives and friends
he often exhibited fiat narrow metal
box, secured around his waist by a
light steel chain, which was a blaze
of beauty when he revealed it's opulent'
treasures.
The daughters and their husbands
were diligently on hand when death
took the old man. 1t was to meet with
the scverest disappointment of their
lives. The entire visible resources of
the decedent did not represent two
thousand dollars. There was small
balance at bank, the homestead at
which the sisters turned up their noses
in disdain. but the box, the diamonds
were nowhere to be found. A long
thorough search was made. but it
proved unavailing. Aleck purchased
the house on payments from the other
heirs for reasonable amount, and
was the only one of the family who
settled down contented and happy.
I'm glad they've gone" he an
nounced to Nellie when for the first
time since their marriage the stylish
sisters visited the humble homestead.
Don't worry at their sneers and
naughty ways, dear. You and | are
going to make this place regular
garden Of Eden. I'm going to put 1t
all in shape. Good hard work and a
little painting and mending up will
bring it about. I'll get up at five and
put in the whole evenings"
'And will work all day long,"
chirped Nellie in happy tones. Il pity
your sisters, Aleck.
Indeed. Nellie did her share of the
work. Aleck scolded her good and
strong when he came home from work
one evening and found the front Of
the house painted, and Nellie in over
erals aloft on ladder with paint and
brush. But she only laughed gaily
and asked Aleck if he could afford to
buy q lawnlnower. Then, first it was
the outside lawn, and then the neglect
ed Inside grounds. and one morning
Nellie undertook the wedding out and
cutting out of patch of yard at the
rear that had not been touched or
crossed for years.
1t took her several hours to clean
the great weeds with sickle and scythe.
Then she started in with the lawn
mower. tx.
"Oh. it will just look lovely to have
the whole yard smooth and level as
carpet. Ouch !'-as a great jangle
rang out.
you've broken the machine de-