The citizen., 1920-12-23

where else.
"Allan works ne hard and harder
than ever Beuiah did. and Allan
doesn't feel that way about H."
That's true" she admitted. "but
Allan's ambition Is work. He works
and Is satisfied. hut Beulah thinks.
and Is not satisfied It's the difference
In their mature and we didn't take n
Into consideration" In every phrase
she tried 10 link his blame with hers.
that the burden might unite instead Of
separate them.
"If she'd thought n little more be-
fore this mad prank II would have
been better FOR everybody" he said
"Well. she'll have plenty Of time 10
think yet" He stepped TO the kitchen
door. and from the nail above took
down the repeating rifle.
"You're not going 10 take that :" she
cried. Don't take that. John. II
can't possibly do any good. and II may
do lot Of harm"
II won't do anything foolish" he
answered. but I'll take II along. Just
the same"
Allan. with the drivers harnessed
10 the top buggy, was now AT the door
without saying good-by 10 his wife
Harris Joined him, and the two set
on on their search Almost at the
gate they met George Grant. who had
come over to haul water for another
days plowlng. lie stopped In some
surprise at the turnout
II guess we won't be piowing to-
day" said Harris He hesItated he
fore Georges questioning look. and a
certain sense OF family shame came
upon him. But II was evident that he
could hardly search for Beulah with.
out mentioning her departure, and he
might as well make a clean breast OF
the affalr.
Nothing wrong at home. hope,
Mr.. HarrisT' said the young neigh
her. noting his troubled appearance.
Nobody sick. or anythingl"
"Yes, there Is something wrong"
aid Harris. trying vainly to conceal
the bitterness In his voice. "Beulah's
left us"
"who. Beulah7 can hardly be
lieve that. Mr.. Harris. u was only
last night was talking with her"
"well. she's gone. Left through the
night. we-welI. tell you. George
We had n little disagreement. hut I'd
no notion she'd take Is 30 much TO
heart. OF course you know about the
trouble with Jim yesterday. Taking
everything together--there won't be
no plowing today" Harris bad said
more than he meant; he could feel the
color mounting into his hair. and the
bad English OF his last words betrayed
a subtle recklessness rather than care
lessness OF speech.
Don't you believe a word Of IT,"
said George. II know Jim, and I know
Beulah. and II anybody else hlnted
what you've said you'd want TO use
that rife en- them. Like enough Beu-
lah's staying somewhere around the
neighhorhood. and she'll be hack when
she has time 10 think Il over"
THAT proves you don't know Beu-
lah." said Allan. "As for Jim. ! was
never able 10 get below that smile
and saw more OF him than you did
George"
"well. hope you find a way out"
said George sincerely. 1T would have
been like her 10 come over TO our
place. but she isn't there. Maybe you'll
dnd her AT Morrison's."
That's possible" said Harris.
"We'u 20 over there. anyway"
But Morrisons knew no more of
Beufah's whereabouts than did George.
and Inquiry at other homes In the
neighborhood was equally futile. Har-
ris shrank from carrying his search
into the town. as he dreaded the pub
licity that would be attached TO Il.
But as the day wore on and the search
continued frultless he finally found
himself at Plalnville. II Beulah and
Jim were really married the Presby-
terian minister would be likely TO
know something of the matter, and
Rev. Andrew Guthrie was man OF
sense and discernment.
Mr.. Guthrie received his guest cordi-
ally. albeit with some wonderment as
TO which member of the family might
be sick, but dellcacy forbade a direct
question. Now. I'm agricultural com
Il is something OF an offense
TO approach any matter OF importance
by frontal attack. There must be the
due amount OF verbal skirmlshlng, re
connoitering and outflanklng before
the main purpose is revealed. Conse-
Quently Harris, for all his torture of
suspense, spent some minutes I'm dis
cussion OF the weather, the crops, and
the prospect OF labor shortage In
harvest.
They're all well at home. hOpeH"
said Mr.. Guthrie at length. feeling
that the custom OF the community had
been sufficiently honored.
"Yes, all that's there" said Harris.
"All that's therei didn't know any
Of your folks were away. Perhaps
Mrs. Harris IL down Eastf I'm sure a
summer amid the orchards of her old
home would be a delight 10 her aud,
Df course. Mr.. Harris. you are able TO
crafty yourself In these little matters
now"