Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-06-10
BY
ROBERT J. C.
STEAD

thousand dollars. and I'll bet l could
sell 1t Inside of q week."
''Sell it?" she exclaimed. you don't
FARM
"Why not7 If somebody else wants
II worse'n we do. and has the money to
pay for 1t. why shouldn't ] sell it?"
The tears stood In her eyes as she
answered: I'm all these years while
we have been building up this homo
l never once thought of 1t as some
thing to sell. 1t was too near for that
IA part Of ourselves. of our very life.
1t seemed more like-like one of the
children, than mere possession. And
now you would sell it. just as you
might sell load OF wheat or a fat
steer. Is this place-this home where
we have grown old and gray-nothing
to you? Have you no sentiment that
will save 1t from the highest bidderY
Sentiment Is a poor affair in bust
ness" he answered. Property was
made t sell; money was made t. buy
1t with. The successful man is the
one who has his price for everythin'.
and knows how t get it. AS for grow
in old and gray on this farm. why,
that's grudge l have against 1t,
though don't THU x I'm very gray and
! don't feel very old. And If get my
price, why shouldn't sell?''
very WELL" she answered 1--WE
nothing more to say. Sell 1t II you
must, but remember one thing-I won't
be here to see 1t pass into the hands
of strangers" She Strengthened her
self up, and there was fire in her
eye that reminded him of the day when
she had elected to share with him the
hardships of the wilderness, and in
spite of himself some of his old pride
in her returned. 81 leave tomorrow for
a visit, and may be gone some time.
You reminded me of your liberality a
FEW minutes ago; prove ii now by
writing me check for my expenses.
Remember, will expect to travel like
the wife of prosperous farmer, man
whose holdings are worth forty thou
sand dollars cash"
so that's your decision, is 1t? You
set me at defiance; you try t. wreck
my plans by your own stubbornness.
You break up my family piece BY
piece, until all have left is Allan.
Thank God. the boy, at least, is sound.
Well, you shall have your check, and
I'll make 1t big one that it may carry
you farther"
Even In the teeth Of his bitterness
the mention of Allan's name strained
the mothers heart beyond her power
Of resistance, and she turned with out
stretched arms towards her husband.
For moment he wavered, the flame
OF love, still smoulderlng In his breast,
leaping up before the breath of her re-
Spouse. But 1t was for a moment only.
Weakness would have meant surren-
der, and surrender was the one thing
of which Harris was incapable. SO he
checked the impulse to take her in his
arms, and walked stolidly to his desk
In the parlor.
He returned shortly and placed
check in her hands. She looked at it
through misty eyes, and read that 1t
was for $500. 1t represented two
hundredth part Of their joint earnings,
and yet he thought he was dealing lib
orally with her; he half expected, in
fact. that his magnanimity would break
her down where his firmness had
tailed. But she only whispered faint
THANK you" and slowly folded tho
paper In her fingers He waited for q
minute, suspecting that she was over
come. but as she said nothing more hs
at length turned and left the house,
saying gruffly as he went out, "When
that's done I'll send you more II you
write for It."
1t was now 10 ut night, and almost
dark, but Harris footsteps instructive
" turned down the road toward Riles.
AT the gate he met Allan, returning
home from spending 4 social hour
with the Grant boys.
'Where going. Dadr the younger
man demanded.
"Oh, thought I'd take a walk over
t Riles. There's lot O. things Z talk
about"
"What's the matter, Dadr The
strained composure Of his fathers
voice had not escaped him.
"NOthin' miRht's we'll tell
you now; you'll know It In a little
while anyway. Your mother 10
g0in' away-0n a visit"
Like Beulah's visit, ] suppose. So
It's come to this. I've seen II for some
time. Dad, and you must we seen II
too. But you're not really goln' to let
her GOT Come back to the house with
me-surely you two can get together
on this thing. II you try"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)
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