The Wind Before the Dawn

settled. Sunday afternoon found him early at Nathan's to consult with Elizabeth about the kitchen windows. Susan Hornby's surprised recognition of his annoyance, when he was

he did not know at what, but he was. He hurried Elizabeth away without ceremony. As soon as they were beyond earshot he began to voice his grievanc

that I can take you. I can't have you running

was so good to see him, to have him with her again after a night spent in her father's house, that she was ready to conce

ver and wherever I chose ar

't good for any woman to walk eight mil

e had done for years without harm to herself, Elizabeth was surprised into con

my life, and I'll probably walk it a hun

announced, standing as solid as a rock

ombinations of collar, tie, and driving gloves. Those gloves had been the chief objection Elizabeth's brothers had been able

ted after her. "Becau

always walked a great deal; she loved it. Walking was jolly fun. Everybody knew she was not as dependent upon being taken as the ordinar

ing's happened and that I don't want to. If I want to take my future wife, s

r lover considered the Hunter ways, as such, especially desirable. Willing to pay the price, rather enjoying the masterful way in which her betroth

slatternly, one-suspendered shoulders, and button-less sleeves flapping about his rough brown wrists, set against this well-shirted gentleman produced sharp contrast and made of the future a thing altogether desirable. The useless arguments

y." The words were whispered tender

ve had to do before her, that the man-creature loves to be adored, that by cloaking her own desires, stroking his fur the right way, giving it little pats of approva

r desire to escape from her father's house. In addition to that, Elizabeth had not yet become analytical. Instead of meditating upon the manner or the positiveness of her lover's commands, she took counse

dare to spend at home the weeks between the close of school and her marriage. She had counted much upon spending those weeks with Aunt Susan, who daily became dearer. She was not moved to tell Aunt Susan girlish secrets, but she was understood and rightly valued in Susan Hornby's home; and now, during this one of all the critical

ld of the engagement, and having divined its arrival, she was able to hide any misgivings she had about it. Besides, not having anything upon which to fasten her objections to John Hunter, she was wise enough to know that love must ha

ions she stopped short without speaking of the matter and announced her intention of going to bed. Elizabeth Farnshaw loved John Hunter devotedly, but his mother was another matter. There was a strong undercurrent of

es to all that she had known and loved in the work, the impending changes in her life took on a troubled air when John failed to come as usual and did not account for the delay. By some psychological process Susan Hornby's misgivings began to be

creep up to the older woman after the lamps were lighted and lay her head in her lap, while she would imprison one of Aunt Susan's hands so as to be able to fondle it. The evi

not understood that Mrs. Hunter was actually to live with them till a short time before her arrival, and then had very nearly given offence to her lover by an astonished exclamation of surprise. Perceiving that she had done so she hastened to say that she would be very glad to have his mother with them. As soon as Elizabeth had got away, and taken time to think it out, she saw that she had lied. John also knew that it was not exactly true, and was therefore more sensitive. It had been the first point of real difference between them. There had been no discussion of it. Elizabeth would have been glad to go to him and say that she wished it, but she did not wish it and would not lie consciously. If it had to be, she would make the best of it and make his mother as welcome as she could, but with the

ch, and straggling zigzagingly down toward the bottom, was the last

oo. Pretty soon I won't be a

n dinner pail dangling from her wrist, Elizabeth fitted the key into the lock. As it clicked under her fingers the thought came to her that she must turn it over to the school board. The fi

rung into the young eyes at the leave

arnestly. "You ought to t

gathering spilled thems

ver read anything, have nothing ahead but the same weary round over

nedly to control her own emotions

ied-I do," she felt bound to interpose. "It's just-just that-well, you can see how it is; the married women around here wear faded things, and-and their teeth

n Susan Hornby's control and she fell on Eli

ittle else of late. My poor little

gree did these warnings apply to all? Susan Hornby had plenty of time to wonder and think, for Elizabeth cried softly to herself without speaking further. The older woman's hand wandered over the glossy braids in her lap, and her eyes wandered off toward the Carter homestead while her mind struggled with the problems of the neighbourhood. Elizabeth had put into words a thing she had herself observed. She saw the irritability of men toward their wives; she saw women about them who toiled earnestly, who bore children, and who denied themselves every sort of pleasurable relation at the demand of husbands who never gave them a look of comradery or good fellows

n the step and reached for

Susan; it's-it's the faded life I'

g control of her reserve, said abruptly: "I know it, I know all

omised so well at first that both had entered into it with zest, and yet the moment it had become personal, loyalty had risen between them and hushed their words and left them uncomfortable. The silence became so intolerable that Elizabeth arose, and unable to look up turned and fumbled with the lock on the

ars had been. The reaction set in. John was fresh and clean of linen and finger-nails and pleasing to the eye. Elizabeth's mood changed the moment he presented himself on Nathan's doorstep. Every fear of the faded life disappe

introduction he gave her when his mother met them at the door, and the

d still retaining her hand stepped back

she said slowly. "I am sure we shall like eac

from that embarrassment when, feeling that the Hunter approval was accorded, he st

to-be must certainly li

house would have, having overseen every feature of its building, but it was a world of surprises she entered upon to-day. In her wildest dreams of what they would do when they had become rich, as they ha

le a shy look at her lover, who was drumming on the window and had not heard, and made no reply

loset below, and investigated all its secret places as if it had been a toy. John Hunter gave his mother an approving nod behind the girl's back, and the visit was a success. Elizabeth forgot that she was to share the honours

of forebodings and anxiety. Fate never permitted Elizabeth Farnshaw more than a short snatch at happiness, and as John Hunter drove away after he

t. To-morrow would be bake day! Oh, joy! Elizabeth resolved to insist upon kneading the dough the next morning, and before starting up the ladder to the loft where she w

and the girl climbed to her pallet, on which dreams of cooki

was Mrs. Farnshaw's pride, and of John Hunter himself. By some unlucky chance Elizabeth mentioned her father's name. Mrs. Farnshaw had been waiting for an opportunity to speak of the misunderstanding between her husband and their daughter. It is the tendency of the weak to waste much time and energy in reconciliations, and to Mrs. Farnshaw peace meant far more than principles. She gave little thought to the rightness of her husband's demands, but bent e

w he'll hate me now, no matter what I ever do. I've only got along peaceably this far by not talking to

me too, t' make it right. I'll never have a day of peace with him again if you don't. You'd no business t'

ld be used to worry her mother and to stir even more bitter accusations than usual. In her heart she knew that nothing she could say would change her father's feelings or alter his belief about the matter, but she did feel that her mother was justified from her own standpoint in making the demand. As she stirred the cake dough and pondered, she glanced across the table to the open door of her mother's scantily furnished bedroom opposite. A vision of ruffled pillow-shams where she was soon to sleep came to her in strong contrast. The memory of muffled sobs which she had heard coming from th

ir that you should suffer for a thing you hate as bad as he does. Don't let's t

her's face between her hands she stroked the thin hair away from the wasted forehe

ow how. I-I'm going away to be happy

ong about the barn, and when supper time arrived El

subject, though she tried several times. Mrs. Farnshaw gave her warning looks, but it was clearly not the time. When at last the family was ready for divine services and Mr.

hoe sole which served to protect the brake. The elaborate attempt to ignore her presence made the hard duty still harder. She waited for him to take

nded when he was at last embarrassed by hi

If I-if I've done anything to annoy you, ever, I want to ask your pardon. I-ma-I want to tell you that John Hunte

eeling that it was best to let well enough alone; but when she looked up at

osiah Farnshaw was as much fired to anger by what he saw in

ows would you like for your peaceable intentions? What's th' price of your friendship, anyhow? Of course you don't owe me anything! You're a lady! Now that you're goin' t' set up housekeepin' yo

untrue, that the girl met him

work and furnished you more money than ever I cost you since the day I was born. I knew no one could explain anything to you. I told ma so, but she's afraid for

with his open hand. He had only listened to her so far because there had been something so c

hat tone of her master's voice indicated, and his hands were so occupied for a few seconds in qu

e!" he cried, however, when he saw her disa

the breathless girl pushed rapidly past her at the inner

one it about as bad as I could, I guess, but I'll never t

figurative speech, "She's afraid for her life of you." That had been meant in a very different

her as soon as he returned from meeting, Elizabeth began to put up her hair and prepare for the

and would be on his way to see her, for his mother had asked Elizabeth to spend the day with her. She would ask John to come for her trunk and then have him take her to Susan Hornby's house. Aunt Susan would welcome her with open arms. She was covered with perspiration when

er plan of going to Aunt Susan's to stay till the wedding. "Everybody knows tha

t he drive on at once and get her trunk before her

r argued t

refusing to drive on, "people will

in the primitive community in which she had been brought up a man would be filled with disgust at the idea of striking a full-grown woman

curiously, while she deliberated and cast about for some means of getting his a

nt Susan's always glad to h

le he had covered that morning. He had been accustomed to reach her in fifteen minutes, and the suggestion that she go back to the old place began to look more reaso

ent was not to be obtain

all that there is about it," th

ill hun

element. It did not occur to her at that time that it was a strange thing that her lover should fail to be stirred by the probability of her receiving a blow. Elizabeth had never had consideration shown her by any one but Susan Hornby and had not yet learned to expect it. John struck the horses with the dangling

ly as he shoved the unoffending trunk into the back of the wagon.

I

CL

d her. She gathered Elizabeth into her arms for a brief hug, and then pushed her toward the inside of the house, remain

a bite of dinner, since your

lizabeth over there," John stammer

ll she has rested up from that headache," the woman

and heard him drive away with mixed feelings. When at last Aunt S

ommon?" she asked when she had told as much as she co

from the trunk-top where she had dropped beside her. She remembered the fear, half expr

she asked, to break the awk

e to the bedroom. At the door Elizabeth stopped short. A strange coat and vest were spread

pron. "A young fellow stopped last night and asked to stay till he could get a house

hen added, "What will he do f

to have you back that I'd turn him out if need be. Honestly, we could hardly eat Saturday. Nate was as bad as

had asserted themselves. They took a walk toward evening, and only returned in time to meet John Hunter, who had come to see his betrothed about a trip he had decided suddenly to take to Mitchell County. He had spoken of it to E

soon took his departure, he left Elizabeth less unhappy than she had been. Nathan and the new man were coming

izabeth these folk have been talkin'

new boarder h

lizabeth asked, and there was

t beside each other at the table, and Elizabeth

emarked, remembering the tow-coloured locks

d into fine lines and his bl

t them girl-twists into th' ends of it. Bet you're a w

een-year-old boy a piece of land heavily mortgaged, and with nothing but a broken down team and a superannuated cow to raise the debt. By constant labour and self-denial the boy had lifted the financ

d. "I was goin' t' hunt you up 'fore long, anyhow. I never thought of these folks a knowin' you, th

ithout embarrassment. It was as natural to have Luther, and to have him say that he wa

d I've so much to tell you that

r lau

like that'd bother me if it brought you t' th' house. I've been sleepin' und

doorstep while the stars came out, and Elizabeth forgot all about the

ht next to your farm,

r throat, and the sentence was unfinished for the fraction of a moment and then ended differently from what sh

nging roof at the mention of this love affair, but he swallowed the bitter pill like a man. The renewed acquaintance had been begun on friendly lines

h her father, and was not surprised, and with him she took up the subject of the marital relations at home. Luther's experience was more limited than Susan Hornby's, but he looked the matter of personal relations squarely in the face and discussed them without reserve. There was always something left to be fini

han had come to love Elizabeth almost as much as his own daughter, and to miss her when she was away, he was uncomfortabl

ness and made it impossible to make the call which she knew she would certainly give offence by omitting. This, too, she talked over with Luther, and he advised her to g

ned the fact of not having gone to see Mrs. Hunter because of the ext

ain 'fore mornin'," he remarked. "I kept th'

to Mrs. Hunter was the first su

r, Lizzie"-Luther always used the old-fashioned na

ns," the girl promised, her words coming so slowly that there was

idered at s

with almost equal reluctance. "I-I want t' see you sta

begun the argument with, but somehow, like Elizabeth, that was the main fact in the case which absorbed his attention. He was dissatisfied with it, bu

the northwest to measure the clouds. "Jimminy!" he exclaimed, slapping the

h road, and half wished he had not brought her with him, for the signs were ominous. The breeze, which had been fitful w

was gather

unged into the grove of cottonwoods which surrounded the "shanty," with

r his coat. As he turned back toward the wagon an exclamation of dismay escaped him. The storm had gathered so rapidly that the boiling clouds could be plainly seen now above the tops of the ragged trees which surrounded the place. Instead of waiting to put th

as prairie. Not a sound was heard except a dull roar from the north. Urging the horses to their utmost ef

'm afraid You'll get th' starch took out of that pur

iled back at him. It was only a storm, and at best could only soak

galloping horses. Hardly waiting to see whether Elizabeth caught the lines he flung to her, he sprang to the ground and gave chase. The hat rolled flat side down against a windrow and stuck, so that it looked as if it were to be captured, but b

of lightning split the sky from north to south, followed by a terrific crash of thunder. Half stu

the ground, the other was struggling feebly to regain its feet, and Elizabeth was scrambling wildly out of

er shouted in her ear, "while

he beast's head flat on the ground, where the girl held it fa

gers. He flung the neck-yoke over against the body of the dead

rap. The frightened animal bounded to its feet with a neigh of alarm, dragging the g

th mud, and his clothing half torn from his body. At first he could not recall where he was; then seeing the dea

moralized wagon overturned by the roadside. The wagon was in painful evidence, but Elizab

od in heaven! What

heard discussed only last week. That child had been picked up b

the path where the cyclone had licked the ground as clean as a swept floor. He could see nothing at all of Elizabeth. Realizing at la

s if it had been forked over the ground to dry itself from the wetting it had had. Hay everywhere, but no living thing to

e futility of human effort was borne in upon him as he scanned the waste. A pile larger than the surrounding piles

ees beside it, dragging at the half-buried form of the girl in frantic haste. She was doubled together and mixed with th

to his arms and listened to her heart b

ve, and Luther drew her up and leaned her loosely rolli

y for shelter. The Kansas prairie stretched level and bare before him.

igns of returning conscio

ome to obtain, but that had probably gone with the hat and the hay and all other things in the route of the hurricane. He stooped close over her quivering fo

beth's strength had not returned and she fell back, dragging him to his knees at her side. The rain ran off her hair and clothes in streams, and against the storm her thin cotton dress was of no protection whatever. Luther urged her to control her shaking limbs and try to walk. It

and waited for the squall to subside, but it was essential that the girl be got under shelter of some sort At length, after struggling and buffeting with the storm f

ream. Luther, whose head had been bowed

" broke fr

ébris was to be seen whe

was nothing to do but stop and recover breath and start again at a pace more in keeping with their powers. Impatient and horrified, they struggled ahead, running at times, stumblin

les, for some distance, they at last reached the main pile of timbers. The girl's hear

e," Luther said, quick to compre

oth, and thinking that it was a human form, he shuddered and fell for

to urge the now frenzied girl to leave him, and together they stumbled about in their search. Darkness was falling rapidly, and they called first the name of Nathan, and then of his wif

as well as the gloom would permit. The rain fell less noisily also. All at once they heard their names called from somewhere toward

zzie!" came another cal

of the harbour where it would be unable to do them further harm. With a glad cry, they ran toward the beckoning figure, and a second later Elizabeth was lifted by Nathan and Luther into the open door of the bin

n! How could I live wi

tly for joy as she did so, for the fears of the last hour had been mutual. The thought of her darling out in the storm, suffering she knew n

! My Katy's own self!" sh

t she would, the girl could not control herself. They rubbed and worked with her for some minutes. Luther was alarmed and blamed himself for having taken her

u. They're as warm as toast-havin' th' bla

essure of the wind, and had kept pretty close to the door; but they moved over in the direct

because of the dust they were raising. "We'll set you folks a sprout

mself. "I'm some wet, myself," he announced, "but I've got warm ragin' round here like a gopher

if determined to wreck even this shelter. It was not possible to see one's hand in the darkness, for when the door had been pulled shut

possible of the catastrophe whi

do 'er when she see th' way them clouds was a actin' but I must come in, too. We didn't even milk! I never see anything come on like it; we didn't hardly have time t' git th' winders shut till we could hear it roarin'! Lord, you should 'a' heard it come! All at onct it got dark, an' th' house begun t' rock; an' then it slid along on th' ground, an' then it lifted clear up at th' northeast corner, an' we slid down in a heap on th' other side along o' th' cupbo

e, Elizabeth?" he

still shivering, but with less

with a relieved sigh. "I think we'll put a little m

roof and did not leak; they grew less frightened, and Elizabeth grew warm in Aunt Susan's arms and slept at last. The rest lay long, listening to the angry blast, counting up th

l to the neighbours to gather together and assist in sorting and saving such things as were worth it, and construct out of the broken timbers a habitation which w

e they awoke. As they emerged from the musty oats bin into the fresh air, which had b

much to save the lives of its owners when the roof fell. One end of the house lay, almost uninjured, on the grass, the window panes unbroken and still in their frames. Other windows had been hurled from the walls to which they belonged and ground to powder. Hal

sting of such eggs as they could find about the haystacks, and coffee-rainsoaked, but still

rought and many willing hands began the erection of the simple four-room house on the old foundation. The place was cleared, furniture carried to one side, while broke

othes, and Mrs. Chamberlain and other neighbour women, around a great out-of

mended and put in place, feather-beds had been dried in the hot sun, straw ticks had been filled with clean hay; broken chairs nailed or wired together occupied their old places; the kit

ng or shingles mixed with the old there was little to indicate the path of a cyclone in the country. Yes, there was a pi