Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-06-21
CHAPTER xxxI.


The SHOWS of December were whit
ening the rurrets and gables Of Give
Towers: the forest was a bleak wilder
ness, through whose a the wiGter
winds sighed and raved; the coy lit
tie cottage of DIR. Bond was almost
| lost sight of in the white waste sur
rounding Ii.
But though the diamond panes of
his little shady window were we'll
nigh covered with snow wreaths. and
his n small factotum-a crisp-haired
+ u4atto boy-was making futile ef-
forts 10 shovel a passage way 10 the
rate. the doctors serenity was undis-
rurbei, and he sat before a huge fire
with q large medical book in his hand,
the prrnsai Of which appeared TO af-
ford ni'n perfect satisfaction.
"Seasonable weather" said the doc-
tor, rising at last. and rubbing his
hands together before the CHEEKY fire.
white W :nters are not the kind TO fill
doctors pockets. Good. fierce, snap
ping frosts strike sense into people.
They take TO red flannel and thick
shoes. Then, naturally, YOU can't per
suade man, I'M or child what a
cold Is, until Jack Frost nips their
noses for them. and gives them his
promise TO pay Hello.'-a horseman,
stopping at the gate. interrupted the
old mans satisfied reyery-"who is
fool enough 10 turn out such a day as
this! Young Grey. the lawyers son,
Must be a matter Of life and death that
brings such a steady-going fellow as
he Is through such a storm. Come in,
sir-come IN Don't stand shaking
your self all day IN the door-mat.
There's no woman here TO look sour at
a ~sprinkling of snow in the hall. Come
In TO the fire right away. There's
liquor on the sideboard yonder; but /
forgot-you don't drink. All the better
for you in the long run. Sit down,
then, and get warm. Don't say a
void until you are warm through"
I'm not at all cold, row. sir" an.
swered Laurence, as he obeyed the old
doctors ~hospitable injunctions. Il
came up home for the holidays last
evening. and have taken the earliest
opportunity"
'Of paying your respects to me. eh"'
said the doctor. grimly. Come. young
man, out with il. What's the matter?
| don't doubt your friendly feelings;
but they wouldn't have brought you
Out for a social call on a day like
this"
II was up at the Towers last night"
continued Laurence. grayely. "and /
could not help noticing the change in
in Mr.. Give. My deep interest in all
that concerns Herbert and'-he paused
ere he added-'his sister. makes me,
perhaps, unduly observing; but it
seems to me. sir, that he is much brok-
en- within the last few months-so
much so that l determined TO consult
YOU as TO the propr.ety OF informing
Herbert OF his fathers condition at
once"
"Humph,' muttered the old doctor,
giving laurence a keen look over his
~spectacles: do you happen 70 know
where Herbert is, young man?"
Il have 20 heard Of him for several
months" answered Laurence: 'sbut l
suppose n letter addressed to his bank.
ers In Peris will find him.
mo person else has heard of hin.
for several months,'' continued the
doctor. drily. "He ought TO be at home
now, s'r-he ought TO be at home. It's
none of my business. for Robert Give
has consulted me either as to his
health or prldence-but he's breaking
fast. He has never been the same
since the wreck of the Ocean Queen.
He first weakened then. body and
mind, and he's been weakening ever
slice. That IN week during which he
thought his son IA lost, broke his
spirit forever. Yes. sir-yes.,' added
the doctor. abstractly resting his hand
on the ivory miniature he always wore
hidden In his breast: 'let skeptics talk
as they please, a just God rules the
world. and, one or later. His Justice
triumphs over all things
Miss Fannie"-the young mans hes
itating mention of her name was no,
lost on his listener-"MiSs Fannie tells
me her father KEEPS to his room nearly
all the time-that for days together she
never sees him. She seemed very much
depressed. and anxious for her broth
er's return. Poor girl,' added Lau-
renee With a sigh: sorrow is new TO
her. She needs a friend"
where's that young jackanapes she
Is going TO marry:" asked the doctor
abruptly. What's his name-wood,
Grove. Forest? Oh, yes, Forest. Where
Is he?"
"FeIton Forest" answered the
young man, somewhat stIfiy. He Is
of on duty just now
"Giad TO hear il. Best TO keep him
on duty" said the doctor. gruffiy. Il
hope he'll stay on duty for the remain.
der or his life. Women are fools-the
best of them-when Ii cones TO choos-
ing a mate for life they look at the fine
feathers first. A pair Of shoulder
straps and a dozen gilt buttons have
made many a wretched match. Well.
it's none of my business. OF course. bu,
like that little girl and her brother.
and IL there's 10 be a crash, I'd like to
have them stand clear. But L don't
krow-rm not much of a Bible schol-
ar. but there Is n verse you may have
heard Of keeps running in my head
And. with a solemnity that puzzled
Laurence. the old man laid his hand
upon his arm. and added impressive
ly: The sins Of the father shall be
visited upon the children. even TO the
third and fourth generation I'll go
up 10 the Towers this evening and sec