Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1900-05-30

I rear or the men. Dau DtSedTtu Ahr ilthf
town Of lis glowing peonies. its heavy
headed snowballs. its pungent southern
wood. and starry syringas, and red none!
suekles, and the first white, scented catal-
pa branches to do honor 10 the oeca sion.
And here again, side by side, were the
two men. who. fast fettered by child
hood aud youth Of friendship, had gone
forth 10 war together.
The services were over al last, and the
crowd in the church poured out into the
sunshine. Again fife and drum made mar
tiaI music. The brief journey TO the
cemetery was begun. 1t was here, after
the stiff wreaths and crosses which the
women had brought from the church were
duly distributed and speeches made by
some of the old soldiers, that John Bar
riston first caught a glimpse OF the young
man who had come late into church. he
stared in OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES towards
him.
What has brought you backi" he de-
manded
"A row." replied his son. 'I'd fight
with one Of the fellows at college. | was
than | meant TO. l thought I'd better
come NOME until NEW OftI
The old man choked with rage.
And its for this-for this-Tye toiled
for you. and shaved for you, and all but
starved myself for you. How" he was
choking in his wrath-"how dare your
Il dare good deal-sometimes."
Just then a girl brushed by them. Her
gown caught on the point of stone. She
stumbled Inyoluntarily Mark Barriston
extended ais hand TO aid her. She shot
him a 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.
DO you know who that is?
Its Edward Thorn's daughter" said
John Barriston slowly. The hoarse voice
shook over the words. "You must never
hold word with him or his. or" He
lifted his great rough hand 10 the dazzling
sky. with a mighty oath, ''or else you go
your way, penniless and poor, save for my
curse.
That's unfair famed Mark Barris-
ton. The old mans blood spoke then.
It's unjust. You read the Bible-and
you hate your brother. Tell me why"
But the passion of his father had spent
itself for the time. He looked suddenly
gray and stricken. He turned and walk
ed unsteadily away TO where the close,
sharp spikes of an iron railing kept jeal
Gus guard over the 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 brief
ard unsupported tragedy.
Poor father" The young fellow, look
ing after the lean old fgure-seeing the
gnarled fingers clutched hard around the
iron spike on top OF the railing. felt a
fierce ache in his throat. He turned
went away.
When Mark Bsrriston-straight as a
Norway spruce and good TO look upon
striding home in the sunset light. came
upon the wrecked carriage Of Edward
Thorn. he was hardly surprised-only
most absurdly elated. Obviously. he could
no; pass on. He might not take the who'll
~ disintereSted credit accruing to the
stray Samaritan. but mere courtesy de-
manded that aid be offered. And since
Mark Barriston had been away at COL
lege he had learned lesson which prairie
people are slow TO appreciate-that while
kindness. however gruff and sullen, Is
good, courteous kindness is infinitely to
be preferred. And so he uncovered to the
ladies in the carriage with grace that
was pleasing as 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 a word OF thanks, de-
aimed him.
Thank you much, Mr.-Mr.-you ar
a stranger hereabouts. judgei"
MY name is Mark Barriston."
'Mark-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. 81 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 motherT"
well. my boy. Better" he said. and
so low his voice now he might have been
communing with himself, better than
any one else"'
There was silence A chill stole nm
from the draw below. A gopher ran
across the road. frightening the horse
which had broken the pole. An snxious
voice spoke from the rear seat.
1T is late, Edward. We'd better go
on
"Yes-yes. Well" TO Mark, "I'm glad
TO have seen you. l suppose" with some
hesitation. Il can't ask you TO come 10
our house?"
I'm afraid not. sir"
He moved a step backward. The elder
man sighed-a wistful sigh il sounded,
When Mark reached home he found his
sther sitting reading by lamplight. The
book was the Bible. his only literary pos
session. The deep cut lines of the old
face seemed deeper. the stern mouth more
inhexible, the keen old eyes more relent-
lessly penetrating.
. Tell me about your quarrel, lad" he
said.
Mark told him. not sparing the other
man. but equally outspoken in regard
TO his mart in tho affair Thar. -.