The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-10

When he had started his meal MS
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 it 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 filed the air, it still would
be almost month before the ripen-
ing crops were ready for the binder
Harris felt that he could now allow
himself a 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
Riles', and the two had discussed their
forthcoming venture until they had
grown almost enthusiastic over it. A
quarter of a century having elapsed
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, it was
possible to still further increase their
holdings.
Harris found the task of disclosing
his intentions to his wife more IN
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 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 it 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 it not for her that he was making
| the sacrifice? Was not all he had
| hers? And were not all his labOrs di-
rected toward increasing her reserve
| against the rainy day? And yet in
! stinctively he felt that she would op-
| pose him.
1t was the evening of a 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 1t 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.
"AIlan and me will be leavin' for
the West in day or two" he said. ''I
suppose you can get along all right
for few weeks until harvest. Bill
(the hired man) will be here"
In an instant she saw the motive
behind his apparent kindness, and the
hopes she had just entertained only
deepened the flood of resentment
which swept over them. But she an
swered quietly and without apparent
emotion: That's unfortunate, as
was planning for a little trip myself"
your" ne exclaimed. you plannin'
a 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.
eyes, I thought I would take a lit
tie trip" she continued. "Ive been
working here pretty hard for some
thing over twenty-five years, and you
may say I've never been OFF the place.
A bit of a holiday shouldn't do me
any harm"
where do you think of goin'?'' he
demanded. a sudden suspicion arising
in his mind. Coin to visit Jim and
BeuIah?'
ST think you might at least be fair
to Beulah," she retOrted. IF you had
read her letter, instead of putting IT
in the stove, you would have known
better"
'T amt interested in anythin' Beu-
lah may have to say, and any other
letters that fall into my hands will
go 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 AlIan's going
with me- It amt fair or reasonable
for you to try to upset our plans by
a notion of this kind
sit isn't a notion. John, it's a re-
solve If you are bound to take up
more land, with more work and more
worry, why 60 ahead, but remember
| It's your own undertaking. I helped
| to make one home in the wilderness,
and one homes enough for me-"
Don't be unreasonable" he an
swered. There's a great opportunity
right now TO get land for nothin' that
| in 8 few years will be worth as L-uch
or more than this here. I'm ready TO
go through the hardship and the work
for the sake OF what it will do for US.
We can be independently rich in five
years. If we ia : stand together"
Independent Of what7" she asked.
"Why. Independent of-of every
i