The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-27

| slapped the reins across the backs of the shiny bays. "But they change, they change pretty fast. The rail- roadIl do that here like 1t did back east not so long ago. You won't know Sioux Springs in a year :" He went on, picturing the growing town, the flow of new settlers, the rise in land values, the pushing back of the raw frontier.
 To Carrie, clutching her bright sunbonnet, listening eagerly, this was like wine. This was what peo- pie meant about the west and op- portunity, she knew now. Somehow she believed she was catching the spirit of the wide open prairie al- ready. Almost, she was sure, she felt better with the broad, clean, sweep of the land around her, the sun beating down, the wind flaming her cheeks, the signs of new life at scattered claim soddies in the dis tance.
 But there's so much of this land," she interrupted. will it ever be worth anything, MT. Oaks?" She was thinking suddenly of her home stead on Rock Creek and the growth of Sioux Springs and the substan- tial savings her father had left her for investment. Was there more out here than health?
 Whether Ashton Oaks read her mind, he answered her question. Fortunes lay out here for the ask | ivNop 6n fA1l kHn YA rryae cfti1 a1a rating on that theme at noon when the buggy splashed into Rock Creek at the head of pretty little valley. Oaks stopped to water the horses and Carrie spread her lunch under a convenient fringe of cottonwood trees along the bank. Here, at the crossing, the trail was more heav- fly travelled. Oaks pointed out, be- cause settlers were already pouring into the valley. Carrie was eager to see her new homestead site.
 They ate rather hurriedly, Car rie in her enthusiasm, and started up the valley to her claim. With the aid of Colonel Barrington,s instruc- tions and mound of rocks at the section line, they found it easily. The slew grasses touched the horses bellies as Oaks drove of the rutted trail and up toward a little knoll back from the creek. This, he sug- Igested, would be an excellent site for Carries soddy. Carried agreed. It commanded a superb view, was out of danger of high water Her closest neighbors would be perhaps mile distant, Oaks told her.
 They left the buggy and Carrie for the first time, stood on her own land. At least, it would be her own land in few months. Looking over the creek below, the endless prairie beyond, suddenly she was over whelmed. There were no words tc describe this. Oaks, sensing her feel ing. said nothing.
 For a long time, it seemed ar eternity to the impatient Oaks, they stood there and then at last Carrie broke the silence.
 But it's-it's so far from every. thing" she said, almost in a whis. per. Today she had glowed with an. ticipation, feeding or Oaks cheer ing pictures. Now all at once she was gripped with the stark, utter loneliness of the prairie.
 Oaks. noting her sudden sober ness, began reassurances. But they were of small comfort.
 "I-I think it is getting late, Carrie said. Perhaps we had bet ter start back, MT. Oaks"
 Carrie was silent on the return trip, the buggy jolting her thoughts Like Sioux Springs. Oaks tried tc tell her. the claim would look bet ter next time she saw it.
 IT hope so," Carrie responded and added later, TT guess I was just overcome by the space, the emptiness of 1t all. I hope have good neighbors."
 Oaks pulled up the buggy once on the way back to talk to a man and woman in a wagon on the way out to Rock Creek Carrie felt better when she learned they were hei closest neighbors, lived only a mile up the creek In those few moments visit, Carrie was sure she would like hearty Ed Taylor and his honey little wife.
 They drove down the busy Sioux Springs main street late in the aft ernoon and Oaks left Carrie of al Sioux Springs House. Later, after | washing of the first real coat ol prairie dust, she changed hel clothes and went out to purchase supplies and to make arrangements for her homestead home.
 At the general store, Swarmine with denim-clad settlers and wives and children in calico, Carrie was assured a wagon "or someone would haul out everything. And the neighbors would help to build hel soddy.
 Carrie, however, drew many curi- ous glances. As she left the store she heard someone say, "Alone-movin out there without nobody nol nothin'-alone," and she felt again that smallneSs that she had experi- enced at the claim. All was terribly bewildering. She was glad she could talk with Ma Parmley, unburder her heart. The big, jolly woman was an uplift.
 "Now, just you go back to that hotel and get a good nights sleer and everything1l work out al right tomorrow" Ma assured her First time I come out here, wt didn't have no hotel, course 1t ain't much now. nor Ma Parmley's grub We slept in the wagon and ct or the grass"
 Carrie was returning to her room in the hotel when Ashton Oak. stopped her at the desk, called hei aside, bit furtively, Carrie thought.
 well, how are you feeling now Miss Lane?" he asked. "Certainl, you look all right" Something about his familiarity annoyed Car. rie for the first time. but she re- piled. "Why. I feel very well, aftel c good supper"
 And you should" Suddenly. Ash knf Oakg WaG c0nfldenkiai. low.