Queen of the Lincoln Highway

THE RANCH BEING FAR from the town enabled the foreman to inform Madge of many things concerning the Sawyers. Joe Sawyer owned a large cattle ranch. Because of overwork in the past Mrs. Sawyer's health had failed. She suffered from an incurable disease of nerves, believing she was worse than what others thought and liked to be humored and waited on continually. Since "Joe" had become wealthy everything that skill or money could buy had been done for her but to no avail. The family Dr. had advised a companion and welcomed the idea of the two children, believing they would take Mrs. Sawyer's mind away from her own troubles. Madge was to have the care of Mrs. Sawyer and manage the little house where Mrs. Sawyer lived.

The automobile sped along the dusty road and Madge saw a group of houses in the distance. A large old-fashioned house was surrounded by corrals and a large barn. At one side was a small pretty house in front of which the auto stopped. An old lady was sitting on the porch. She came slowly forward to shake hands with Madge, patted each child's head, then led the way into the house. Madge glanced quickly about, noting the excellent taste in which the house was furnished.

"This, she explained is the house my husband built for John and his wife. John is my oldest son. He married a New York girl whom he had met when on a business trip for his father. She is a selfish, frivolous creature and could not endure life in such a lonesome country. Brought up in the city she could not appreciate the beauty of natural scenery. When my husband offered John the position of manager of his business in Chicago, she was glad to go and I can't say I was sorry. Since then I have lived here., The ranch house is so noisy and I am so nervous. No one knows what I suffer; everyone tires of listening to me when I complain.

We will go to your room now. You must be tired after your trip. You do look so young to be a widow with two children."

Madge's face flushed, she had not thought of what people might think. She decided not to tell them anything unless they asked and then she would tell the truth.

A man brought in her trunk and Mrs. Sawyer left her to unpack.

The trunk unpacked, Mrs. Sawyer showed her through the house and left her in the kitchen to prepare the supper saying "I have to be very careful what I eat and I am so tired of the things I can eat that I think I will leave it to you."

The kitchen was in disorder but Madge soon prepared a dainty meal. The children went to bed. Mrs. Sawyer was delighted and said, This is the most I have eaten in weeks. I believe I am going to like you. I sometimes get so nervous I am unreasonable but you must not pay any attention to me. No one seems to care except "Little Joe". He is my youngest son, the best boy of the two but his father never sees it that way after he came from a school in Chicago.

While at school his impulsive disposition had him into many a scrape. He spent most of his time having a good time. He always was a good hearted fun loving boy and as he grew older more wayward than John. He loves me dearly and would give anything to see me well and strong like other women. When he came home from school he hated the life on the ranch, his father did not understand like I did, they quarreled and my poor boy left for the Canadian west.

Times were hard; he could not get work. The unemployed were causing a great deal of trouble in the large cities. When the war broke out in Europe, he enlisted with a Canadian regiment and is now some place at the front, I know not where. The last word we had was over a month ago. He was full of hopes to make a name for himself as a soldier and longed to see us once more. I some times think I can bear it no longer, letters take so long to come. I can't take my mind from him. Sometimes I wake from a dream in which I see him on the battlefield dying of thirst and can't reach him. Oh! it is terrible! If his father had only studied his nature as I have and talked to him, instead of forcing him against his will, this would never of happened."

Mrs. Sawyer had become so excited she began to cry. Madge was alarmed and tried to soothe her but words had no effect. Madge caught the glint of a piano across the room. She arose hastily, perhaps

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[handwritten text begins here]. . .for me to enjoy them alone. My Health has failed me because I thought when we were first married that I would rather do all my work myself and save the expense of a girl. Joe had a hired man and worked hard himself but on Sunday he always had a rest while I had the extra burden of getting the children ready for Sunday School and a big dinner to prepare as the long ride made them so hungry. If I could live my life over again I would take good care of my health and insist upon as much help about the ranch house as Joe had in the fields in proportion with the work each had to do. Women are the cause of their own hardship because they have not the courage to make the men understand that theirs is the hardest work because of the many demands on their time and patience by the younger members of the family." To this Madge agreed and together they discussed the great problems of the present day.

Mrs. Sawyer had read a great deal since her health had failed. She had formed her own opinions which were not unlike the practical ideas Madge had gained from traveling and mingling with the different classes of people who make up the mining camps.

Mrs. Sawyer finally arose and lit the lamp. In surprise she remarked the time. "Come child, you won't mind me calling that; you look so young to be Mrs. Lawson, let's go to bed. This has been the most pleasant evening I have spent since "Little Joe" left home. I feel as if I could go to sleep as soon as I get to bed."

"My name is Madge, and if you wish, call me by it," said Madge as she helped the old lady to undress. "Good night and pleasant dreams."

Madge sat far into the night by an open window looking out over the fields which laid so still in the moonlight She was thinking of her husband, what would he think when he returned to the empty house and again when he received no word from her. Would he care very much if she really dropped out of his life forever? Over and over again she went over the past and then tried to look beyond to the future. Would the lonely life that was to come be harder to bear than the one she had left, seemingly so worthwhile yet so empty because of the difference in two natures _____ before the vigor of youth had spent itself enough to live in harmony with each other. Why was it that