Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-05-24
the heroes of a great conflict hung IN

| For the women Of the Keller Corps'
who had marched up the street in the
rear of the men, had begga red the little
town of its glowing peonies, its neaVy
headed snowballs, it's pnngent southerh-
wood and starry syringas and red honey
suckles, and the first white. scented catal'
M branches to do honor TO the occa sion.
And here again, side by side. were the
two men, who, fast fettered by child
hood and youth OF friendship, had gone
forth to war together.
The services were over Mt last. and the
crowd in the church poured ont into the
sunshine. Again fife and drum made mar
tial music. The brief journey to the
cemetery was begun. 1t was here, after
the stiff wreaths and crosses when the
women had brought from the church were
duly distributed and speeches made ny
some of the old soldiers. that John Bar
riston first caught glimpse OF the young
man who had come late into church. lie
stared in Observation-Disclosures towards
him.
what has brought you back?" he de-
manded.
"A row." replied his son. "Td fight
with one of the fellows at college. was
in the right but did him up hit worse
than l meant to. thought I'D better
come home until it blew over"
The old man choked with rage.
And it's for this-for this-Ive toiled
for YOU, and shaved for you, and all but
starved myself for you. How" he was
choking in his wrnth-"how dare you:''
Il dare a good deal-sometimes
Just then a girl brushed by them. Her
gown caught on the point of stone. She
stumbled. Involuntarily Mark Rarriston
extended his hand to aid her. She shot
him swift glance. In that look was
recognition and certain startled. pleased
surprise. Then she had passed ON. and
Mark Barriston stood hat in hand staring
after her.
"1Do you know who that is?"
Its Edward Thorn's daughter" said
John Rarriston slowly. The hoarse voice
shook over the words. "You must never
hold word with him or his. Or" He
lifted his great rough hand to the dazzling
sky, with a mighty oath. cor else you go
your way, pennless and poor. save for my
CURSE"
"That's unfair" famed Mark Rnrris-
ton. The old mans blood spoke then.
ITS unjust. You read the Bible-anl
You hate your brother. Tell me why"
But the passion of his father had spent
itself for the time. lie looked suddenly
gray and stricken. He turned and walk
ed unsteadily away to where the close,
sharp spikes OF an iron railing kept jeal-
ous guard over tho narrow mound 1t in
closed All other boundaries in that sunny
little city were of wood. but these John
Barriston had deemed too frail to keep
the world apart from her-the one woman
of his love- whose life had been a brief
and unsupported tragedy.
"I'oor father" The young fellow. look
ing after the lean old fgure--secing the
gnared fingers cutched hard around the
iron spike on top of the railing. felt a
fierce ache in his throat. He turned
went away.
When Mark Barriston-straight as a
Norway spruce and good to took upon
stri,ling home in the sunset l.:;!t came
upon the wrecked carriage of Edward
Thorn, he was hardly surprised-only
most ahsurtly elated. Obviously. he could
not pass on. He might not take the Who'll
ly disinterestcd credit accruing to the
stray Samaritan. hut mere courtesy de-
mandcd that aid he offered. And since
Mark Barriston had been away at col
lege he had learned a lesson which prairie
people are slow to appreciate-that while
kindness. however gruff and snllen, is
good. courteous kindness is infinitely to
b. preferred And so he uncovered to the
ladies in the carriage with a grace that
was pleasing ms novel to the farmer folk,
and offered his services. And when he
had gone to the nearest farm house for
rope, and had helped to splice the pole,
and all was once more IN readiness for the
homeward drive. he would have turned
away but that Edward Thorn. putting
out his hand with word Of thanks, de-
tanned him.
THANK you much. Mr.-Mr.-you are
stranger hereabouts, judge!"
MY name is Mark Rarriston."
"Nark--Barris-O" He leaned more
heavily over the side of his surrey. Twice
the lips set in the blonde beard opened
twice closed without speech. His eager
look dwelt hard on the boyish face up
lifted in the mellowing light. II might
have Known" he muttered. And then
he said slowly: Her eyes-you have your
mothers eyees"
my mother!' echoed Mark. "You
knew her-you knew my mother?"
"Well, my boy. Better" he said, and
so low his voice now he might have been
commnning with himself. better than
any ole else"'
There was silence. A chill stole up
from the draw below. A gopher ran
across the road. frightening the horse
which had broken the pole. An anxious
voice spoke from the rear seat.
ut is late, Edward. We'd better 20
on"
"Yes-yes. WE'LL" to Mark. "I'm glad
to have seen you. suppose" with some
hesitation. II can't ask you to come to
our house,"
"1'm afraid not. SIR"
| He moved a step backward. The elder
man sighcd-a wistful sigh 1t sounded.
| When Mark reached home he found his
father sitting reading by lamplight. The
book was the Bible his only literary p<,s-
session. The deep cut lines OF the old
face seemed deeper, the stern mouth more
iniexible. the keen old eyes more relent-
lcssly penetrating.
"T"l me about your quarrel. lad" ne
.rh
Mark told him. not sparing the ether
man. but equally outspoken in regard
TO his part in the affair There was a
long silence when he had finished.
"Well?" he asked at length.
"An eye for an eye.'" said the hard
old voice "a tooth for TOOTH You'd