The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-10-09
BY ROBERT STEAD
Author of 1.-THE Cow Puncher." 1.-THE Homesteaders"

these girls had not seen child since
we left Regina in the spring, and the
mothering instinct in them, pent up
through all those lonely months, now
burst forth in sweet silent, tears.
began to realize that Gerald Alton
was to be one of the important men,
bers of the community.
isn't he lovely-lovely?" Jean was
murmuring as though unable to tear
herself from his side. Mrs. Alton, |
am sure you have placed us all under
a debt of gratitude. This community
simply had to have baby"
After that, conversation came cas-
Ter, and we found ourselves talking
about farm life, and the problems of
the homesteader Mrs. Alton drank In
every word with avidity; she was
eager for information on the most
casual affairs.
Il am so frightfully stupid!" she
exclaimed. you see, I know nothing
about farming, and 1 suppose it was a
very wild notion that / should take
a homestead. did 1t on Gerald's ac-
count. shall manage some way, and
in three years-by the time he must
start to school-the farm will be
mine. Then / shall sell 1t or mort
gage it to give him an education"
by that time we may have school
next door," suggested. people will
flow in here in crowds, once they
make start. Have you plans for
carrying on the work of the farm
Il have two men following with
boards to tuild house; just very
tiny house. in keeping. with my purse.
Then l hope to hire neighbor to do
some blowing, and 1 will plant some
corn next spring. I shall raise chick
ems, and have great garden-I know
all about gardening" she added
naively, with a sudden return of con-
fidence. you should have seen my
English rosesi"
We had not the heart to tell her
that there lay great gulf between
English roses and Canadian cab
bage patch, and she ratified on, evil
IDENTIFY glad of someone to watch with
sympathy the mirage castles which
she was building on her horizon.
For myself, / am quite penniless,"
she confessed, thrusting her upturned
palms toward US with little impul-
sive gesture. Gerald is my re-
source, as well as my responsibility.
He has hundred pounds year. We
shall invest 1t in this farm. l am
sure we are going to prosper wonder
fully.
"All the world seems to circle
around Gerald" she added, as though
it were an afterthought.
She made Jean and Marie sit down
on a box on which she had spread
steamer rug. Jack and stood at the
door Of the tent, where the setting
sun blazoned our wind-tanned faces a
ruddy red.
''How healthy you men are!" she
exclaimed, clasping her fingers in a
nervous grip. IF only Gerald will
grow up like that!"
I'VE will come over when the men
bring the lumber, and help them
build your house." Jack volunteered.
1.-The lumber-what lumber? Oh,
the boards Oh, how good Of you"
The regard In which she held US
appeared to rise another degree.
"And are you carpenters, as well as
farmers?" she asked "How wonder
fully clever you men are, here. had
to go to a doctor in Regina-Gerald
had a rash, or something-it was in
the evening and 1 found him at his
house, building chicken-coop. Jolly
wonderful, isn't it?"
AS the shadow Of the democrat
filed the tent door we spoke Of Ieav-
ing.
"Not until you have had tea," she
insisted. "We shall have tea with
biscuits and jam. / Fought an oil
stove in Regina most wonderful
machine. We shall have it ready in
q moment
While she started her oil stove she
asked, casually enough, Am I the
only newcomer in all the big prairie
which you have been having to your
selveS?'
mo; you are the second" an
swered. Eve already have one neigh
Dor. countryman Of yours, down on
section Two. Spool, he calls himself,
although that is not his real name"
She was working over the stove,
with her back toward US, and perhaps
she daIlied longer than there was any
need for, but / took no notice of the
matter at the time.
what a strange NAME" she said,
after while. SIS he there
nowI mean, have you seen him
lately? A countryman of mine; you
know, I must be interested in him."