Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-21

He had written her Of Moys gay eXpedents
and Of Nick Lanes bride-who had brought her
piano with her. 1t SO filled their single room
that Nick swore he slept doubled up. and Annie
boasted that she could sit on the stool and play
Little Buttercup' and fry potatoes at the same
time. =; .
3. II know you'd stand fire better than any Of
EN-" he cried. It's me that's the coward. You
see, know how it might end-and they don't.
yet"
"oh." she broke out, "if only my father
we're like other men! He could Just as well
give the money to build house now, as let
it all wait until he is gone!"
Yes. But I'd rather build my own house.
don't want to give him any show for thinking
I'm marrying you for his money! And If things
60 right this year, I'll be ready to come for you
by New Years." he promised once again.
At home, Sam Baxter led the way to the little
cubicle off the kitchen and opened the old black
trunk where the family treasures had always
been kept. Lon watched him lift out a dress
and shawl his mother had worn. and take out
heavy sheets.
Give these to Edna" his father said, land
tell her your ma wove 'em with her hands
and this" he added a brooch that was one
Of Ions earliest recollections. Then he took up
daguerroype and opened its embossed case.
The two men looked together at the ciean-cut,
girlish face with smooth bands Of hair over her
ears \ 20 ~ .. .e..
= !"Yere stlIe eldest, son. Baxter said in
hushed voice. Sometime thisn come to ye--
butt can't spare 1t, YETI
With new comprehension, the son laid his
hand upon his fathers shoulder Presently he
spoke low: 5. w..
.. II guess mother'd be glad II she knew / was
going to marry Edna"
Yes the older man agreed, he shut the
trunk. "Edna's a fine woman, In spite O her
relationship to the old man." Then, clutching
his sons arm, he spoke out: What are ye
~ Iopo por -J,,,r' t,I-1 Z,
back with ye now? Is she afraid O. bein' poor
mans wife,"
"Its me that's afraid--not her." Lon ac-
knowledged "She was ready to go, first Off
She's offering to go now. But I amt ready
for her. yet"
"Mebbe ye're right-mebbe ye won't have
so much to regret" Sam Baxter's voice was un-
steady. But it's mighty hard thing to know
when we ready to live.
II don't guess I'll have any trouble telling
when I'm ready" Lon stated fervently, still
blind to the wisdom Of age "Oniy-Tm not
going into debt for it."
And though Edna, once more putting reserve
aside, urged, pleaded even, that she was ready
to go back with him. he refused to listen, and
left her with a, renewed promise. "rll have the
house done and ready for you by New Years"
Another spring was come and Lon, with high
hopes in his heart, again walked step by step.
hour after hour, day succeeding day. week in
and week out, over his fields, ploughing, harrow
ing. seedng-gong through all the infinite mo-
lions performed with blind faith In forces beyond
human control, that makes up the gigantic game
called farming.
Again he saw the gentle mist of green creep
ing over black loam; the delicate curling fingers
OF corn reaching upward; the ethereal blueness
of flax blossoms, bending and blending in tho
breeze. And later on, he the sun rise high
er and higher. shining each day with a pitiless
heat from cloudless sky. He kept the plough
going while the parched soil burned his soIes and
clouds Of dust choked his lungs But the dry
winds and the blazing scared and yellowed
the urthing grain the half Ifgrown corn blades
wilted, and the flax stalks became dry straw
Lon watched it all, at times with heavy,
dead feeling Of despair, and again In a blaze of
resentment. ITS tough" he cried out to Jim
Prosser. tits damned tough--after all the rest!
And there's my well-water without end-you
know how it nearly got away with me before !
could get the curb in. If L
Yes Prosser nodded. that's it. We must
have irrigation In this country. There is plenty
of water runtergrourd--we'yeg got TO get II on top
where we can use 1t when we need ii. But YOU