Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-12-15
CHAPTER NJ.

at barDara ruQeneSS. he went ABOUT HIS
work as usual, was as little seen of the
sisters as might be, and silent when in
their company.
One evening he was seated on Raven
Rock, porting over the Bible, when small
head appeared above the side of the rock
where it jutted out of the bank of under
wood, also pair Of hands that clutched at
the projecting points of stone; and in
another moment a boy had pulled himself
on to the platform. He was laughing.
what! Absorbed in the Bible, Mas
ter Jasper?'
The young man started as if he had
been stung
''What has brought you here, Watt? No
good, 1 fear.'
''To see you, of course. | know, you
think me void of all Christianity, but l
have that in me yet, | like to know the
whereabouts of my brother, and how he is
getting on. l suppose that, enthralled be-
tween blue eyes and brown, you have no
thought left for Martin, none for father
who, by the way, is dying"
"Dyingp' exclaimed Jasper, springing to
his feet.
"There, now" said the boy; "don't in
of the precipice into kingdom come"
How do you know this, Watt" asked
Jasper, in great agitation.
Because have been to Buckfastleigh
and seen the beastly old hole, and the
factory, and the gray rat in his hole, curl
ed up, gnawing his nails and squealing
with pain"
For shame of you, Watt! you have no
reverence even for your father
Reverence, Jasper! none in the world
for anybody or anything. Everything like
reverence was killed out of me by my
training"
81 shall go at once" said Jasper earn
estly.
"Of course you WILL You are the heir.
Eth! Jasper! When you come in for the
house and cloth mill you will extend to
us the helping hand. O, you saint! Why
don't you dance as l do? Am [ taken in
by your long face? Amt sure that your
heart is beating because now at last you
will come in for the daddy's collected
money? Poor Martin! He can't come. and
share. You won't be mean, but divide,
Jasper? I'll be the go-between."
BE silent, you wicked boy!' said JAS
per, angrily; Il cannot endure your talk.
1t is repugnant to me-"
Jasper left the rock and strobe hastily
toward Morwell, troubled at heart at the
news given him. He went Immediately to
Mr. Jordan.
"Well," said Mr.. Jordan, who was still
in bed, ''what is it? Do you want me?'
81 have come to ask your permission to
leave for a few days. | must go to my
e4l,o. who Jxy;Dn T will rntlIrn soon
as l can"
WHAT" exclaimed Mr., Jordan, and his
ewes Frightening, Ezekiel Babb dying!
Is Justice overtaking him at last!'
81 hear that he is dying" said Jasper;
sit lis my duty to go to him.
eff he dies" said Mr.. Jordan, "to whom
will his property go!'
Probably to me; but it is premature to
inquire"
Not at all. Ny Eve has been robbed"
"Sirw said Jasper gravely, Il undertook
to repay that sum as soon as it should be
in my power to do SO, principal and inter
est. | have your permission, sir!' He
bowed and withdrew.
Jasper went to Buckfastleigh, openly to
his fathers house, in the belief that his
father was dying. He knocked at the
| blotched and sealed door under the di-
lapidated portico, but received no answer.
He tried the door. 1t was locked and bar
red Then he went round to the back and
found the deaf housekeeper. His first
| question, shouted into her ear, naturally
| was an inquiry after his father. He learn
| ed to his surprise that the old man was
| not i'll, but was then in the factory and
! through the dirty window panes he saw
| the old man leaving the mill on his way
back to the house.
! What then, had Watt meant by send
ing him to the old home on false tidings
The boy was indeed mischievous, but this
was more than common mischief. He
must have sent him on a FOOLS errand for
| some purpose of his own.
'You herew said the old man. 'What
has brought you to Buckfastleigh again
/ Want money, of course" Then, snap
pishly, You shan't get it."
Il am come" said his son, because /
had received information that you were
i'll. Have you been unwell, father?'
'I-no! I'm never i'll. No such luck
for you. If 1 were i'll and helpless you
| might take the management, you think
If l were dead that would be nuts to you. y
My 1dlueI, SOu WIOuS IuC iC1L you
because l would no longer live this wretch
ed life, and because hate your unforgiv-
ing temper"
'Unforgiving!' sneered the old manu-
facturer Martin was thief, and he de-
served his fate"
I'VE will not squeeze old crushed apples.
No juice will run from Them" replied JAS
per. II would not have returned now
had I not been told that you were dying
who told you that lie?''
Walter.
He! He was ever liar, mocker, a
blasphemer! How was he to know?
thank heaven he has not, shown his jack
anapes visage here since he left. / dying
| never was sounder. l am better in
health and spirits since am quit of my
sons. Gene nowr'-the old man raised
his bushy brows and flashed cunning
| menacing glance at his someone now
| if you had found me dead-in Abraham S
| bosom-what would you have done?'
My father, as you desire to know, ]