The spectator., 1920-11-23

more success, will fill him. And in the meantime he's forgetting the things that would satisfy-the love that was ours, the little devo-Oh, child, what am I saying? What an unfaithful Beulah, you must forget these words words of shame they are!'~
 "The shame is his," declared the girl, defiantly, 'and I won't stand this nonsense about homesteading again-I | just won't stand it. If he says any
 thing more about 1t Fll-rll fly off, that's what I'll do. And Pve few re- marks for him about Riles that won't keep much longer. The old badger he's at the bottom of all this" f You mustn't quarrel with your fa- ther dearie. you mustn't do that
 I'm not going to quarrel with him.
 but I'm going to say some things that need saying. And if it comes to showdown, and he must go-well he
 must, but you and will stay with the old farm. won't we, motherY
 | There, there now," the mother said. gently stroking her daughters hair
 Let us forget this, and remember how much we have to be thankful for. We have our health, and our home, and the bright sunshine, and-I declare" she interrupted, catching a glimpse of something through the window, If the COWS haven't broken from the lower pasture and are all through the oat- field! You'll have to take Collie and | get them back, somehow, or bring them up to the corral"
 l Pulling sun-bonnet upon her head Beulah called the dog, which came leapng upon her with boisterous af- lection, and hurried down the path to the field where the COWS stood almost lost in a jungle of green oats. She soon located the breach in the fence and. with the help of the dog. quickly turned the cows toward it. But alack | just as victory seemed assured a rab bit was frightened from it's hiding | place in the green oats and sailed forth in graceful bounds across the | pasture. The dog, of course. cOnclud- | ed that the capture of the rabbit was of much more vital importance to the | Harris homestead than driving any number of stupid cattle, and darted across the field in pursuit, wasting his breath in sharp. eager yelpS as he went. Whereupon the cows turned oatward again. not boisterously nor insolently, but with a calm persistence | that steadily wore out the girls strength and patience. She was in no l joyous mood at best, and the perverSe- ness of things aggravated her beyond endurance. Her callings to the cattle became more and more fearful, and l presently ended in sob.
 1 There, now, Beulah, don't worry; we will have them in u minute," said a quiet voice, and looking about she found Jim almost at her elbow. his Om- nipresent smile playing gently about his white teeth. Il was down at the l creek filling the tank, when 1 saw you I had little rebellion on your hands, and I thought re-enforcements might 1 be in Order.'
 You might we hollered farther back" she said. half responsibility, but there was q light of appreciation in her eye when she dared raise it toward him. I'm afraid I was beginning to be very-foolish."
 She ripped again on the treacherous | buckwheat. but he held her arm in strong grasp against which the weight l of her slim figure seemed but as a 1 feather blown against wall. Then they set about their task, but the sober-eyed cows had no thought of be- ing easily deprived of their feast, and | 1t was some time before they were all turned back into the pasture and the fence temporarily repaired behind them.
 "l can't thank you enough" Beulah was saying. You just keep piling one kindness on top of another. Say, Jim, honest what makes you do itf' But at that moment the keen blast of an engine whistle came cutting through the air-a long clear note, fol- lowed by series of toots in rapid sue ceSSion.
 "I guess they're running short of water" said Jim. 'I must hustle" So saying he ran to the ford of the creek where the tank-wagon was still stand ing, and in minute his strong frame mas swaying back and forth to the rhythmic clanking of the pump. Meanwhile other things were trans pring Harris haf returned from town the night before with the fixed intention of paying an early visit to the Farther West. He and Riles had | spent more time than they s.ould breasting the village bar. while the latter drew a picture of rising color of | the possibilities which the new lands afforded. Harris was not a man who abused himself with liquor. and Riles, too, rarely forgot that indulgence was expensive, and had to be paid for In | cash. Moreover, Allan occasioned his | father some uneasiness. He was young, and had not yet learned the self-con- trol to be expected in later life. More | than once of late Allan had crossed