CHAPTER XV
COMPROMISED
"PLEASE don't go, Jean," she begged. "I don't want you to go. Stay with me."
"Now, Orlean," he said gently. "I have such a lot of work to do. I will go, tear down some of the old buildings on the homestead and be back before many days."
She cried for a time while he held her in his arms. Crying was nothing new with her. As the time for her delivery drew near, she was given to such spells. He was patient. After a few moments she dried her eyes and said:
"Well, dear, you can go. But hurry back. I want you to be home then, you understand."
"Of course I want to be home then, wifey, and sure want it to be a boy."
"It will be a boy, Jean," she said with a strange confidence. "I believe it. I am sure it will."
"I shall love you always then, my wife. All our cares and burdens will vanish into the air, and we shall be as happy as the angels."
"Oh, Jean, you can make life seem so light."