Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-06-10
CHAPTER vlii-continued.


The dinner was late that day. and
Harris was In worse humor than
usual He had just broken a 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 a word he rose from the
table, took the letter In his hand, and
thrust 1t into the kitchen range. A
blue fame 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 filed the air, it still would
he almost 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 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 It. A
quarter Of century having elapsed
since his former demonstrating. Har-
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 sup
posed, and 1t took him some days to
make up his mind to breach the SUBJ
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 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 sacrifice7 Was not all he had
hers7 And were not all his labors d.
rected toward increasing her reserve
against the rainy dayf. And yet IN
stinctiyely he felt that she would op-
pose him.
II was the evening Of q 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-hcarted 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
whirling bowl no longer prevented
conversation. Harris Immediately got
down to business.
"Allan and me will be leavin' for
the West in a day or two" he said. II
suppose You can get along all right
for few weeks until harvest. Bill
(the hired many 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
was planning for little trip myself"
"You" he exclaimed. "You plannin'
4 trip! Where In the world do you
want to go?" Such a thing as Mary
going on a trip. and. above all. unac-
companied by himself. was unheard
Of and unthinkable.
Yes, l thought l 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 bit Of a holiday shouldn't do me
any HARM"
where do you think of g0in'f' he
demanded. a sudden suspicion arising
In his mind. "Goin' to visit Jim and
Beulahr
II think you might at least be fair
to Beulah," she retorted. IF you had
read her letter, instead of putting 1t
in the stove, you would have known
better"
II amt Interested In anythin' Beu-
lab may have to say, and any other
letters that fall into my hands will
60 In the same direction. And what's
more, she's not goin' to have a visit
from any member Of this family at
the present time. I'm goin' out west
to take up land, and Allan's going
with me. 1t amt fair or reasonable
for you to try to upset our plans by
q notion of this kind"
1T isn't a notion, John, it's \ re-
solve. II you are bound to take up
more land, with more work and more