Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-05

| me get up and see if l can take a turn
around the yard. Just as soon as I'm a
little stronger, so that l can quit you, I'll
talk"
"All right. then. Well wait Were both
Wanga and the other fellow in it?"
"Oh, yes. They took me by surprise, as
of course Wanga would. l foolishly sup
posed that had eluded them by footing 1t
| most of the way from New York like a
common tramp. We had a short, sharp
fight of it, during which l did for Sam,
guess. 1 know that as soon as they got
me down Wanga picked Sam I'D and car
ried him out, and the next thing l knew
looked up at you and Martha and saw
the cabin afire."
Dutton was indeed feeble. This talk was
eXhausting him, and douby anxious for
his speedy recovery, Mr.. Warren brought
the scene to an end.
Later In the afternoon Dutton crawled
from the house by the aid of Elsie and her
mother, and sat for time in the open air
He seemed quietly to enjoy the change and
especially the company of the girl, whom
he questioned so persstently on her ad-
ventures that 1t would have been clear 10
anyone who listened that he delighted
simply in hearing her talk.
Will, at this time, had gone home for
needed rest, and Mr.. Warren was at work
in the neglected fields. From his place
under the tree Gran'pa Kirk appeared to
watch Dutton and Elsie, though it is very
doubtful if his failing eyes could distin-
guish them at the distance. Yet on his
lace there appeared varying expressions,
now a scowl and again an amused smile.
1t was a little while before supper time.
Dutton had been helped back to the spare
room, where he lay fully dressed on the
bed. Mrs. Warren was busy at the stove
and Mr.. Warren in the garden. Gran'pa
Kirk had dragged his chair to the side of
the house, the declining sun sending its
rays with uncomfortable directness under
the branches of the orchard.
Elsie had been fitting uneasiy from room
to room, trying to busy herself steadily at
one task and another, and falling to free
her mind from the perpleXing questions
that were ever present respecting the mys-
terry that had come upon the house. AT
length size slipped quietly out by the front
door and went around the house to the spot
where granpa was sitting.
'Gran'pa, she said, her voice husky
with the intense interest attaching to her
question, you know something about this
Mr.. button. Tell me, gran'pa?"
"Eh?" exclaimed the old man. surprised
and querulous, whats that, child?"
Mr.. Dutton, gran pa, you know all about
him. Tell me- please?"
Granpa Kirk looked at her sharply.
What do you want to know for?' he
asked.
Because everything is so mysterious
about him. Don't you remember how vex-
ed you were when came home this morn
ing, because mamma and papa hadn't told
you he was here? Don't you suppose feel
the same way, gran'pa?' and she put her
arms about his neck, and her young cheek
close against his wrinkled face.
Elsie said her mothers panied voice.
The girl looked up, startled. saw her
mother standing in the kitchen doorway,
whittier she had been attracted by their
voices, saw her eyes sadder than she had
ever seen them before, and, shamed and
and went to her own room.
(To be continued tomorrow)