The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-01-13

The dinner was late that day, and
Harris was la worse humor than
usual. He had just broken plow-
beam. which meant an afternoons de-
lny 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 mlssive
shrank away I'm 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 it still would
be almost n month before the ripen-
Ing crops were ready for the binder.
Harris felt that he could now allow
the opportunity TO investigate the rich
lands of the Farther West was mt
hand Many night, while Mary milk
ed the cows. re had walked over to
Rifles. and the two had discussed their
forthcoming venture until they had
grown almost enthusiastic over II. A
quarter of century having elapsed
since his former homesteading. 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. il was
possible to still further increase their
holdings.
Harris found the task of disclosing
his intentions TO his wife more I'M
pleasant than he would have sup
posed, and it took him some days to
make up his mind to 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 vet he had
an uncomfortable feeling that his wife
would not fall in with his plans. That.
of course. would not he 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 II 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 II not for her that he was making
the sacrifice? Was not all he had
hers? And were not all his labors d.
rected toward increasing her reserve
against the rainy day? And yet in
stinctively he felt that she would OPP
pose him.
II 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
~ return to their hearthside. Below
the din OF the separator she actually
found herself hummlng 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
whlrling bowl no longer prevented
Harris Immediately got
down 10 business.
"Allan and me will he leavIn' for
the West In a day or two" he said. 81
suppose you can get along all right
For few weeks until harvest. Bill
1.-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
leepened the flood of resentment
which swept over them. But she an
,wered quietly and without. apparent
emotion: That's unfortunate. MS I
vas planning for little trip myself"
Your! he exclaimed. you pIannln'
trfpi Where In the world do you
want to GOT" Such a thing as Mary
,oIng on n trip. and. above all. unac-
by himself. was unheard
# and unthlnkable.
"Yes. I thought I would take lit
le trip" she continued. 1--WE been
working here pretty nara TOT SOine-
hing over twenty-five years. and you
nay say I've never been Off the place.
! bit OF holiday shouldn't do me
my HARM"
"Where do you think Of goln'7" he
demanded. sudden suspicion arising
n his mind. "Goin' to visit Jim and
3eulah?"
81 think you might at least be fair
% Beulah," she retorted. IF you had
-ead her letter. instead Of putting II
N the stove, you would have known
better"
"I Amt interested in anythin' Beu-
ah may have to say, and any other
letters that fall into my hands will
20 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. II amt fair or reasonable
for you to try TO upset our plans by
n notion OF this kind"
"If isn't nOtiOn JOhn TIA re-