Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-21

the words that would bring Edna--and possible
debt ~
Almost before the frost was out of the
ground the new homesteader was in the field
with his plow. BY the end Of spring he had
prepared and seeded nearly one hundred acres
OF ground. He and his team were alike hollow
ribbed and jaded. With exultant anticipation
he watched his corn and wheat push through
the soil. and began to count the returns they
would bring. Once more he figured the cost of
lumber. then sent the plans he had drawn to
Edna, writing; "I'll come for you by next Christ
mas--be ready"
But as the season advanced cold, dry winds
retarded growth; then a heavy haistorm beat
down the heading grain. Long before fall Lon
knew that building house this year out Of
the question After he had paid for necessary
implements and provisions and bought a COW
and brood SOW, there nothing left-even a
trip home was not to be thought of.
Edna's disappointment when she learned that
he would not be at home for Christmas tempted
young Baxter, for the first time to consider ask
ing for loan He was half way to the railroad
station, 20 miles away, with the letter to his
father, before he tore it up and turned back,
telling himself sharply:
II won't begin borrowing, even with pa
first thing know I'll be asking 'ol man Good
rich to help me out-or mortgaging my team!"
And he hugged the belief that he was suf
fering in a righteous cause, in spite OF Edna's
WOUNDED plea: Il OeNeVe ld sooner yOuu steal
the money, IL you won't borrow it, rather than
not have you come home at ALL"
His Christmas box and the Prossers turkey
did not wipe out his keen sense Of failure over
the years results. Yet the sturdy boyish spirit
could not be long depressed. Soon. sure that the
coming year would bring better luck, Lon was
making plans for tilling all his acreage except
the slough. first omen Of good fortune came
through Saul Prewtt, an old neighbor, who was
now tie chief merchant and stock buyer at the
railway station. He offered transportation to,
Chicago, with a few days stopover at home in
return for plotting carload Of hogs to the
stockyard Lon jumped at this chance
He had never before seen a large city--but
no sights could hold him. when his business was
ended. He was impatiently eager. the train
crawled, until the station names grew familiar.
Two stops from Grindon, the bankers wife from
home-he had known her all his life-entered
his car. AS he started to speak to her. he caught
sight OF his bare, chapped wrist. He was wearing
the same suit Of clothes he had worn away from
Grindon, now shabby and outgrown \ glance
told him his hat still bore marks of his freight
car Journey; his orercoat was soiled and frayed.
He sank back into his seat, pulling at his coat
sleeves. awkward, miserable. Edna might we'll
be ashamed Of him She meeting we'll
dressed men-men who could give her
forts and pleasures; while he, after two years,
was coming back to her with nothing but
fulflled promises. Panic-stricken, he the
last to leave the car when the train pulled into
the station.
AS he came slowly down the steps, he vague
~ saw familiar faces. Then, Edna was in front
Of him, her arms were about his neck. her lips
on his. Doubt and misery were sponged out in
great, throbbing heartbeat as he gathered her
close. ,s- -...- -.
When he let her go, his father grtpped his
hand "A welcome like that is wuth comm
home to. eh, son? 7"
You bet your sweet life." 1t was the spon-
taneous outburst of full heart Edna laughed
In sheer Joy at the words.
Later. as she dabbed at the lines about his
eyes, she said tenderly You're growing old too
fast. Lon You work too hard. 1t isn't fair-I
ought to be out there, looking after you. Let
me 20 back with you"
"If only l could-if I dared" he groaned.
looking at her with hungry longing She was
round aud supple. his Edna, with flashing lights
in her eyes and flushing coors In her face. Yet
there was suggestion of fragility about her
that reminded him of his mother. He shook his
head mo, Edna can't take you out there to
that dug-out."
You don't think am as brave as Molly
Prosser and Annie Lane?"