Graham guardian., 1896-01-31
CHAPTER Y.
SoHN DISAPPEARS.

CHAPTER Y
| soHN DISAPPEARS.
! I John came In at noon and found a
very gloomy atmosphere. Henry had
fully explained everything, and, while
the colonel and Mrs. Gregory were COM
! PEELED to admit that he had acted with
moderation, yet they were SO inconsist-
ent as to feel that he might have done
even better. The colonel, while out
wardly showing disapproval, in his
secret heart was not little proud that
the boy of his training had shown such
spirit.
Janet was clear out of bounds in her
| indignation at Johns brutality, as she
| was pleased to term it. John, not being
mind-reader and meeting only cold
| looks, conscious that he had used rea-
sonable prudence in the matter, at once
put into execution a plan which had
been forming in his mind during the
morning. He packed small amount
of clothing in a valise that could be
strapped behind the saddle, put the
rest of his belongings, together with
one hundred dollars in gold, in his
trunk, which he locked and left in his
room.
Going to where the colonel was en-
joying his pipe on the veranda, he gave
that worthy the second shock of the
day by the abrupt announcement that
he had decided to leave Texas.
The colonel was profoundly stirred
''What on earth possesses you, John?
had supposed you the most peaceable
lad in the country, and here you are
shooting people almost on sight, and
not satisfied with that, you want to pull
out entirely. 15eu must be bent ON
making trouble"
Gas l seem to be making trouble
here. and my conscience acquits me of
blame, have concluded that perhaps it
would be wiser for me to get out of the
way and let things quiet down"
Mrs. Gregory had come out on the
veranda as John was speaking and was
stricken dumb with amazement The
idea of Johns leaving them had never
entered their minds; he had become q
part of the institution, he had always
been amenable, obedient, obliging, in
dustrious. Little by little the colonel
had shuffled off responsibility until the
practical management of the plantation
was in the young mans hands, and he
had been faithful to the uttermost. The
Gregorys knew in their hearts that
while they were showing displeasrire
towards the young man in few
days it would all wear away, and that
things wemld move along in the same
channel, They did not know that the
lad was carrying a heavy heart, and
that he really welcomed the opportu-
nifty which presented itself to try new
field of action. A long discussion fol-
lowed, argument and entreaty was
tried, but John was not to be moved.
The most he would promise was to let
them hear from him occasionally, but
leave he would and that at once. An
offer of the colonel to give him money
was. promptly declined; he had enough
of his own to last him year. He bade
them all farewell except Janet, 18th
whom he requested few words in pri-
vate. To her he said: 81 am going
away, have you anything to say to me?"
81 do not know that have, unless to
wish you prosperous trip" in very
formal tone.
81 have word TO say. You are cap
tivated with Richard Lanvale. am no
backbiter, but he is not trustworthy,
and you viii repent the trust you put in
him. You viii never see me again un-
less trouble comes to you and you need
me-"
- h. l,n1
angcred the girl beyond measure. That
the keen eye of the despised and re-
jectcd lover should have so promptly
discovered the rising interest, as yet
almost undiscovered by herself, was too
hard to bear.
"Whcn l am in trouble / shall not
call on Mr.. John Hewson, and will not
remain to hear you slander a better
man than yourself" She turned and
left the room. John mounted his horse
and rode away in deep detection.
watched by the whole family except
Janet. When he got to the turn of the
road where he would be out of sight of
the house, he Strengthened up in his
saddle, turned and took long look at
the group on the popch, waved his hand
and passed out of sight.
3 Col. Gregory turned to his wife, who
was crying quietly, and with suspicious
moisture in his eyes said: There goes
a lad who will make his mark in the
world" to which Mrs. Gregory re-
sponded in the most irrelevant manner:
81 feel like / had buried one of my
children" Henry said nothing, but
turned and shook his fist in the direction
of the room where Lanvale lay, which
fully expressed his feelings.
John rode along in deeply despond-
ent mood. Every rod of the rutty road,
every tree and stump was as the face of
a familiar friend. 1t was like tearing a
sturdy young sapling up by the roots,
but this young man was made of sturdy
stuff. and having once decided there
was no retreat, When the confines of
TO be continued