The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-02-14

"whyf Don't you think the prayer
was sincere" Stuart asked.
Sincere enough. But pshaw! What's
the use? We all know how the stri,
will end. prayer or no prayer"
whats happened to Eric. docto'
He never used to be religious. Not tha
way"
"Salva ton Army" replied the docto
briefly.
'Ohw Stuart looked puzzled. but he
thought he would have It all out with
Eric. There was so much to talk over
since they had parted year ago. So
many grave questions had arisen In
their lives that needed to be discussed.
He was growing anxious as they drove
along concerning his father and sister
It was very strange that they had not
met him at the station. But the strike
and all might have kept his father. II
was q different home coming from that
Of his anticipation.
The house stood back from the road
on the side of the hill. II was a hand
some brick mansion, surrounded by
dozen immense pines. Stuart loved the
place. 1t was dear to his memories. He
had no recollection Of any other home.
although he had been born in one Of
the eastern states. 1t was in this house
that his mother had died when he was
10 years old. He owed his thoughtful
romantic, truthful nature to Ser. From
his father, on the other hahd, he had
inherited his slow, stubborn. occasional
fierce bursting out Of passionate feel
ings. He thought Of all the happy
times in the old house where as boy
andE1ater as college man he had en-.
1oyed all the luxuries Of wealth and
leisure and companionship.
Suddenly a man drove out of the
roadway into which he and the doctor
were just turning to 60 up to the house.
Both men pulled up just in time to
avoid running into each other.
'Is that you. DR.. Saxon?" shouted
the man. II was just going for you.
Mr.. Duncan has been hurt. The horses
ran away this morning and'-
Stuart did not wait to hear more. He
Jumped out Of the buggy and at the top
Of his speed cut through the grounds
In front Of the house. The doctor ut
tered an exclamation. gave his horse
one short stroke with the whip and
dashed up the driveway like whrl-
wind. At the end of the long veranda
he stopped long enough to jump out
and let the horse 60 on to the barn.
He met Stuart just leaping up the
veranda steps.
"Now, then, my boy" said the doc
tor quietly. filling up the doorway with
his large frame and getting directly In
front Of Stuart, don't get excited.
This Is my case, not yours"
"Let me by" cried Stuart, his face
almost black with passion. HE is my
father! Perhaps he is dying! What
right have you to keep In the wayr'
"Very we'll" The doctor spoke soft.
ly, almost like child. He stepped
aside and began to walk slowly down
the veranda steps. "You have inherit.
ed the Duncan passion to perfection,
but II your father dies through your
nonsensical exercise of 1t Just now
don't blame me-"
Stuart made one stride and caught
the Doctors arm. "Come back" he
said. All his black passion was gone
In an instant. II will be man like
you. Come! You will perhaps need
my help"
The doctor looked keenly at him and
at once turned around and entered the
house with him. The incident would
not mean anything without knowl.
edge Of what was at stake on this oc.
casion. But DR.. Saxon had good rea.
son to believe that the life Of the son
In this instance was imperiled by the
fearful excitement which at rare inter.
walls broke out in him like torrent.
To confront the father with him under
those conditions might prove serious
to them both.
Within the house servants were run.
ming about In confusion. The doctor