The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-12
CHAPTER ViII-Continued.

Law and some dollars of expense.
When he had started his meal MS
wife laid the full envelope before him.
"A letter from Beutah," she said.
Without a 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, 1t still would
be almost a 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 a night, while Mary milk
ed the cows. he had walked over to
. hlltS anu llt lNO ulS1uSStu tiiCb
forthcoming venture until they had
grown almost enthusiastic over 1t. A
quarter of a 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, 1t 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 IL 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 busi-
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 II would certainly be
easier for him II 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 op-
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 II 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 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. IL
ALLAN and me will be leavin' for
the West in a day or two" he said. 81
suppose you can get along all right |
for a few weeks until harvest. Bill |
(the hired MANI will be here"
In Ia chm hn
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
vps planning for little trip myself"
Your he exclaimed. "You plannin'
. uipl Where In the world do you
want to goT Such a thing as Mary
soing on trip. and. above all. unac-
companied by himself, was unheard
d and unthinkable.
Yes. l thought l would take a lit
Tie "trip she continued. 1--WE been
Working here pretty hard for some
ming over twenty-five years, and you
may say I've never been Off the place.
A bit Of holiday shouldn't do me
any HARM"
Where do you think of goin'?" he
eenanded, a sudden suspicion arising
= his mind. "Goin' to visit Jim and
BeulahY
I think you might at least be fair
70 beuiah," she retorted. eff you had
sso her letter, instead of putting II
= the stove, you would have known
better" ""
saint interested in anythin' Ben
~ may have to say. and any other
uefs that fall into my hands win II
the same direction. And WHATS
.ore she's not goin' to have a visit
any member of this family at ,
NC present time. I'm goin' out west
uke up land, and Allan's going ,
'h me. 1t amt fair or reasonahle
= you to try to upset our plans INV 4,
notion Of this kiud."
isn't a notion, John, it's a 70.
e II you are bound to take nm ,
nnd, with more work and more ,
~ why go ahead. but remember
nr own undertaking. 1 helped |
make one home In the wilderness
~ one homes enough for me-" ,
Ont be unreasonable" he an
~, 49, There's great opportunity
= now to get land for nothin' that
= lew years will be worth as 1.uch :
Ne lnan this here Pm roaar "a | :