The spectator., 1920-12-21

The QlnneT was late Cnat Uuy, uHU Harris was in worse humor than usual. He had just broken plow- beam, which meant an afternoons de lay and some dollars of expense. When he had started his meal his wife laid the full envelope before him. "A letter from Beulah," she said.
 Without word he rose from the table, took the letter in his hand, and thrust it into the kitchen range. A blue flame slowly cut round the en- velope; the pages began to curl like dry leaves in autumn, and presently the withered ghost of the missive shrank away in the dull glare of the coal fire behind.
 At last the blowing was finished, and. although the rich smell of wheat in the milk filled the air, 1t still would be almost month before the ripen- ing crops were ready for the binder. Harris felt that he could now allow himself n breathing spell, and that the opportunity to investigate the rich lands of the Farther West was at hand Many night, while Mary milk ed the cows. he had walked over to Riles', and the two had discussed their forthcoming venture until they had grown almost enthusiastic over 1t. A quarter of century having elapsed since his former homesteading, liar ris was now eligible again to file on free government land; Allan could do the same and, by also taking advan- tage of the purchase of script. 1t was possible to still further increase their holdings
 Harris found the task of disclosing his intentions to his wife more un- pleasant than he would have SUD- posed. and 1t took him some days to make up his mind to broach the sub- feet. He felt that he was doing what was for the best. and that his busi- ness judgment in the matter could hardly be challenged: and yet he had an uncomfortable feeling that his wife would not fall Tn with his plans. That. of course, would not be allowed to af- feet his plans: since Beulah's depar- ture nothing but the most formal con- versation had taken place in their household: yet 1t would certainly be easier for him If Mary should give her encouragement to his undertaking. He felt that he was entitled to this. for was 1t not for her that he was making the sacrifice? Was not all he had hers? And were not all his labors di- rected toward increasing her reserve against the rainy day7 And yet in- stinctively he felt that she would op- pose him.
 It was the evening of long day in July when. very much to Mary's sur prise. her husband took the handle of the cream separator from her. To the sad-hearted woman It seemed that the breach was at length beginning to heal, and that happiness would short ly return to their hearthside. Below the din of the separator she actually found herself humming an old love- song of the eighties.
 But her happiness was of short duration. = When the milk had been run through. and the noise of the whiri1ng bowl no longer prevented conversation. Harris immediately got down to business.
 "Allan and me will be leavin' for the West in day or two" he said. "I suppose you can get along all right for few weeks until harvest. Bill (the hired man) will he here"
 In an instant she saw the motive behind his apparent kindness, and the hopes she had just entertained only deepcned the flood of resentment which swept over them. But she an swered quietly and without apparent emotion: That's unfortunate, as was planning for little trip myself"
 "You!" he exclaimed. "You plannin' a trip! Where in the world do you want to go?" Such a thing as Mary going on a trip. and, above all unac- companled by himself. was unheard of and unthinkable.
 "Yes, I thought I would take a lit tie trip" she continued. i've been working here pretty hard for some thing over twenty-five years and you may say I've never been or the place. A hit of holiday shouldn't do me any harm"
 "Where do you think of goin'?' he demanded. a sudden suspicion arising fin his mind. "Go,n' to visit Jim and Beulah?"
 'I think you might at least be fair to Beulah." she retorted. "lf you had read her letter. instead of putting It in the stove, you would have known better"
 ''l ain't interested in snythin' Beu- lah may have to say, and any other letters that fall into my hands will go in the same direction. And what's more, she's not goin' 10 have visit from my member of this family at the present time. I'm goln' ou, west to take up land, and Alian's going with me. It ain't fair or reasonable, for you to try to upset our plans by a notion of this kind"
 "It Isn't a notion, John, It's re- solve. If you are hound to take up