Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-19
and almost transparent.
dad, are you well p

vaguely for a moment, then fell to eat
ing as though he were ravenous.
"What are you talking about? OF
course I am What made you think |
wasn't ?" he demanded.
Dunno, " he muttered; lust an idea
bad. Perhaps I didn't see you in
the right light He paused, leaning
his elbow on the table, his eyes closed.
There was a long stretch of silence.
when do you think we'll go to
Frisco" he asked suddenly. A
flush rose to his cheek. IF we do go,
you know
Perhaps today, perhaps -"
The mans eyes grew dull. He sat
with his knife and fork quiet, as if he
had forgotten what they We're talking
about
"Of course we'll take Boss with
US, " said the boy, watching him mar
rowly.
Boss" was the COW.
Boss p" he repeated, and laughed
aloud in half hysterical fashion. He
seemed scarcely to know what he was
doing or saying. Il don't think she'd
thank us. No Boss must stay here.
He pushed his chair back from the
table, rose, walked forward step or
two, abruptly stood still and then
faced the other.
Leave the things as they are |
i want to talk to you l want you
to walk out with me for an hour, he
said, hurriedly. a have only an
hour Then he paused. Come
here. Put your arm through mine,
so r.
The boy did as he was told, the
small head reaching just to the mans
shoulder.
"Is this extra fondness for Sunday,
Dad?" he said, the deep blue eyes
smiling up.
Gust so answered the man, smil-
ing back.
He kissed the waiting mouth, slung
his well-worn felt hat upon his head |
and pulled its enormous brim over his
eyes. Arm in arm together they pro-
ceeded to leave the shack, descending
the hill, down through the dusty road
where the prairie dogs were playing
sentinel before the door Of their
mounds. An hour later, on their re-
turn, the man stopped at the mantel
shelf while he filled his pipe and put
it in his pocket along with some
matches. Then he went over and
stood silently beside the figure of the
boy. His eyes-those great, searching,
expressive eyes looked piteous.
I'm going to town. l expect a
telegram at the postofice 1t may
bring good news, it may bring bad.
God knows which If the worst should |
happen, expect you to act like man
and stand by me. You understand,
don't you?'
81 will do my best "
The grey eyes caught the staring
pain in the blue ones and hurriedly |
sought the window. The lips of the
boy opened to speak, but the man
raised his finger Hush he said
quickly. And said "hush" again and
turned away brushing off the wet mist
that grew on his lashes.
When the man had ridden out OF
range, the boy stared at the spot where
the other had stood as one who has
heard i'll, and then felt his way along
the wall. A little later through the
open window came the sound Of low
sobs.
Dad, dear Dad Dear, my dear -
what is it? OH God-whatis is it?'
"It's bad news.
The man was leaning on the edge of
the window-sill looking with wide dry
eyes into the eager ones now on level
with his own, his handsome face white
and jaded. He had but just returned.
His hat was still on and his clothes
were covered with fine white dust.
you are to act like man, remem-
Der. And a man should always be
brave ="
"Wh-wh-at isit?" he gasped. "Is
its it about that ? Didn't they find
him-after ali p
He nodded.
"Well?" The boy stared.
The grey eyes did not shed tears,
but the heart-broken lines about the |
mouth wept for him.
They have found him. They are
on their way, now-after him.
as not that what you wanted ?
MOI
"But thought -"
"H-s-s-sh Never mind what you
thought You must listen to me. In