The spectator., 1920-11-09

came back poorer than they left while those who could show a gain of bag of sugar. sack of flour. or box of groceries were considered fortunate indeed
 What shall We eat?" said Harris to his wife. when. after full discussion, II was decided that no more grain could be marketed until spring.
 "Oh. We shall not suffer-" was her calm reply. We have over 5o0 bush els of wheat.
 "But we can't eat wheat"
 I'm not so sure of that. I heard Mir McCrae say that lots of families had wintered on wheat. Indeed, boiled wheat is something of a delicacy. Even the best city families rarely have it. although it is more nutritious than flour and much easier to prepare
 Harris thrilled with joy over his wife's vivacity The strange gloom that oppressed her so much of late had cost him many anxious hours.
 So. in high spirits, they planned for their winter. There were long hours. and little diversion, and the desolation of bleak. snow-bound prairies on ev- cry side. but through it all they kept up their courage and their hopeful ness. Mary spent much time with her needle, from which John. when he felt she was applying herself too closely, beguiled her to q game of checkers or an hour with one of the'r few but val ued books And there were frequent visits and long evenings spent about n coZy fire, when the Morris0ns. or the Grants. or the Rileses, dropped in to while away the time. The little sod house vas warm and snug. and as the men played checkers while the women sewed. what cared the pio- neers for the snow and the cold and the wind whistling across the plains? :
 At last came the crisis At in the afternoon Harris kissed his wife an affectionate farewell. hitched his horses to the sleigh, and started out post-haste for Plainville. He drove by way of the Morrisons, where a few low words sent Tom to the stable at trot to hitch his own team, while the good wife hustled about in the room" almost overwhelmed with the importance of her mission.
 "I will go for the doctor. Jack. and you go back and take the wife with you" was Morrison's kindly offer, but Harris would not agree. It was dark oy this time, and he felt that he could rust no one else to make the journey to Plainville. Besides. there was more than chance that pr. Blain might be incapable. and in that case it meant a drive of 90 miles farther.
 Its good of you. Morrison" he said, but you are more used to your wfe's bidding than am, and you can be of good service there. If you will" And without waiting to argue he SpranS into his sleigh again and was whip ping his team into the darkness.
 Night, Harris" said the landlord who had speaking acquaintance with every settler within 20 miles. We're drivin' late. Yell have bite of sup per an stable the team?"
 No Hank, not tonight. thanking you the same But I'm after pr. Blain, and I'm in q hurry. Is he here, and is he flt?" There was an anxiety in the last words that did not escape the host
 "Nothin' ser'ous. I hope? Frost. or somethin'?" Then, without waiting for reply, he continued: "Yes. doctors here. Upstairs. bed to the right as ye | go up. Just got in little back. As for ft-dig I'm out an judge for your self"
 Harris lost no time sealing the lad der which led to the upper hafstory of the building. It was garrett nothing better-where the cold stars looked through knot holes in the pop lar shingles. and the ends of the shin gle nails were tipped with frost. An other wall lamp burned uncertainty here, flickering in the wind that whis- tied through the cracks in the gables, and by its light Harris found "the bed to the right" The form of man lay diagonally across 1t, face downward, with arms extended above the head, and so still that Harris paused for a moment in strange alarm. Then he slipped his hand on the doctors neck and found 1t warm.
 Coma Doctor" he said. 'I want you with me-" But the sleeping man an- swered with not so much as groan. Come. Dr. Blain," Harris repeated, shaking him soundly. "I want you to go home with me-" He might have been speaking to the dead. In sudden exasperation he seized the | doctor by the shoulders. and with one heave of his mighty arms set him up- right on the floor and shook him wig orously.
 Dr. Blain opened his eyes and blinked uncertainty at the light. "Whatche doing, Harris?" he said at length and the recognition brought a thrill of hope. "'S no use Got ta sleep 1t of. s no use. Harris. s no use" And he crumpled up In the | h.1