The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-12-30

lleve his eyes when he saw me there.
] told him ! was going west on
visit. but I don't know how much he
guessed. Said he was going west him
self TO take up land but he wanted 10
call on some friends first. and he got
on few stations from Plainvllle. BE
tween you and me. believe he
changed his plan so that the Incident
our being on the train together. you
know--could not he misunderstood n
the neighhors got TO know Of IL. II
would be jus, like Jim to do that"
with Beulah's letter was a short but
earnest note from Lillian Arthurs, as
surfing the mother Of 'er daughters
welfare. and pressing an Invitation 10
spend the autumn In the glorious
scenery and weather OF the foothill
country. Mary Harris read both let
tiers over again. with frequent rub
hing Of her glasses. Love for her
daughter. desire 10 see her old friend
once more and growing dlsSatisfac-
, tion with conditions at home. all com
blned to give weight to the invitation
so earnestly extended. "If only
could But II would cost so much"
The dinner was late tina, day. and
Harris was In worse hum9r than
usual lie had just broken n 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 II 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. II still would
be almost n month before the ripen-
ing crops were ready for the binder
Harris felt that he could now allow
himself breathing spell. and that
the opportunity 20 investigate the rich
lands OF the Farther West was nj
I 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 Il. A
quarter OF century having elapsed
since his former homesteadlng. Har-
ris was now eligible again 10 file on
free government land: Allan could do
the same. and, by also taking advan-
| tage Of the purchase OF script II was
possible TO still further increase their
holdings.
Harris found the task OF disclosing
his intentions 10 his wife more I'M
pleasant than he would have sup
posed. and II took him some days to
make up his mind 10 breach the sub
ject. He felt that he was doing what
was for the best. and that his bust
ness judgment in the matter could
hardly be challenged: and yet he had
an uncomfortable feeling that his wife
would not fall In with his plans. That.
/ OF course. would not be allowed 10 az
feet his plans; since Beulah's depar-
ture nothing hut the most formal con-
versation had taken place In their
household: yet II would certainly be
easier for him II Mary should give her
encouragement 10 his undertaking He
! felt that he was entitled TO this. for
was II not for her that he was making
| the sacrifice? Was not all he had
hersi And were not all his labors d.
rccted toward increasing her reserve
against the rainy dayi And yet in
stinctively he felt that she would OPP
pose him.
II was the evening OF a long day In
July when. very much 10 Mary's sur
prise. her husband took the handle Of
the cream separator from her. To
the sad-hearted woman II seemed that
the breach was al length beginning 10
heal. and that happiness would short
~ 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
whirling bowl no longer prevented
conversation Harris Immediately got
down 10 business
"Allan and me will he leavin' for
the West In a day or two" he said. ~
suppose you AN get along all right
for a few weeks until harvest. Bill
(the hired mani will be here"
In an instant she saw the motive
behind his apparent kindness, and the
hopes she had Just entertained only
deepened the food of resentment
which swept over them. But she an
swered quietly and without apparent
emotion: That's unfortunate. as I
was planning for a little trip myself"
"YOuI" he exclaimed you plannin'
a tripl Where In the world do you
want TO gor" Such u thing as Mary
going on trip. and. above all, unac-
| commanded no hlnnsaif mas unhaa "a