Evening star., 1942-12-13

Cathe he said Il want you to look out for the Hampton
children from now on Toddy is downright peaked Well
pay special mind feeding them all good cook together
"Steve Cathe cried Turn back! While there's yet time!
We can't make it. Half of well fitted out The Others
are as poor as Jobs turkey"
Steves face had set in of granite Turn back? No,
Cathie There isn't any turning back Not in life You set
Oregon and you've got to These people are
depending planned this journey These men have sold
their farms Burned all their bridges behind them
"Steve, know they'd listen if"
What I've started, I'll finish"
"Stever' Her tones were low now and desperate My
hearts not this 1t has BEEN I'm not standing any
more. I'm going back. III take Others with me!
"Cathie do you know what you're saying"
- Her mouth frightened Lower lip trembed i mean IT,
Steve I'm going back home l never should have lett
"Catie" - he put his hand under her chin don't you
love me? Can't you me? Well get through It's bound
to be a hard pull but there's Oregon ahead!
O1ego Orego she cried in Il hate the very sound
of it. I've looked brown praes and sage brush and plans
until hate them hate really being Clean hate your
going after the horses when they away lie IN the dark
ness and think you'll be lost Well all be lost want to 60
back"
"Cathie" - his voice was very quiet and tired - here
be stage going through at Sydney I'll get your ticket But
I'm going on with the wagon train"
The wagons oted forward and high in her seat Cathie
stared numby ahead She wanted to jump down and scream
at each family Sheep Sheep Looking for geener pastures
and you've left behind sweeter deeper grass than you'll
again know might have helped Steve had been with
her He could have aided her the rough spots But
as train captain he carried tremendous load.
WHEN the wagons were stopped briefly IN the afternoon
Matt Wilkins came up to her. 'Fghtn out he asked
Maxim your decision? Girls have to 60 through this the
And they out if they decide the right way
better wives and mothers for it. I've seen it before
She thought 1--WE decided. I'm going back - not in
otg covered wagon but in FAST comfortable stage coach
ItT break my heart, but it's the only way.
It was late afternoon when the wind shapened Thunder
rolled there were flashes of lightning 1t darker the
road rougher torrent of rain casaded down. The dust
turned into mud The of the wagon bowed and
eed Charles the oureenyear old Hampton boy looked at
her alarm The wagon pulled heavier now little distance
behind them they could the Hampton wagon numbering
on Matt Wilkins alone in front The children were hud-
died inside Cahe cawled back in her wagon and flung
buffalo robes their belongings She brought back an old
coat for Charles Let drive Charles she cried through
her misery. 'You take chance to rest.
If only Mother here, this wouldn't matter Mother
had way of making the hard things seem like fun
did she want to on this long journey" Cathie asked
The blood drumed in her ears waiting for his answer
where Dad was. that the place she wanted to be-
remember her saying if she could choose She rather have
stayed back farm But that there something about
searching the western wilderness that people couldn't
explain holding them back Twas bigger than they