nd work watching the heater of a store a few hours each night, and the
wages would not keep two, I had to go out and earn my bread here--and I
sometimes wish I had never been born."

I made no answer for a space. There was nothing I could say that might
soften such trouble as was stamped on her face; although I remembered
having heard Jasper say that a weight clerk was wanted at the new elevator
further down the line. Then, blundering as usual, I said:

"Do you know, Minnie, they blame me at home for bringing you out here, and
I heard that your father had sworn to be revenged upon me?"

There was sullen fury in the girl's eyes--she was very young after
all--but she kept herself in hand, and answered bitterly:

"It was like their lying tongues. Envy and malice, and always some one's
character to be taken away. No; it was Tom--and Tom, God help us both, has
lost his head and drinks too much when he can. But I must not keep you,
Ralph Lorimer, and henceforward you have nothing to do with me."

A voice called "Minnie," and I had only time to say, "Perhaps I can find
some better work for him; and you will write home and tell them the truth
for your own and my sake, won't you?" before she hurried away.

Then Harry and I walked down to the freight-siding, where the big box cars
hauled out ready from under the elevators were waiting. Two huge
locomotives were presently coupled on, there followed a clanging of bells,
and we watched the twinkling tail-lights grow dimmer across the prairie.
Part of our harvest, we knew, was on board that train, starting on the
first stage of its long journey to fill with finest flour the many hungry
mouths that were waiting for it in the old land we had left behind. The
lights died out in a hollow far away on the prairie's rim, and Harry
slipped his arm through mine, perhaps because his heart was full. With
much anxiety, ceaseless toil, and the denying ourselves of every petty
luxury, we had called that good grain forth from the prairie, and the sale
of it meant at least one year free from care.

Before we turned away, straight as the crow flies a cavalcade came
clattering up out of the silent prairie, while, after a jingle of harness,
merry clear-pitched voices filled the station, and something within me
stirred at the sound. There was no trace of Western accent here, though
the prairie accent is rarely unpleasant, for these were riders from
Carrington who spoke pure English, and were proud