Gilpin observer., 1901-02-07
"why? Don't you think the prayer

'why? Don't you think the prayer
was sincere?" Stuart asked
SINCERE enough. But pshaw! What's
the use? We all know how the strike
will end, prayer or no prayer"
"What's happened to Eric. doctor?
de never used to be religious. Not that
way"
Salvation Army" replied the doctor
briefly.
"Oh!" Stuart looked puzzled, but he
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.
1t was very strange that they had not
met him at the station. But the strike
and all might have kept his father. 1t
was different home coming from that
of his anticipation.
The house stood back from the road
on the side of the hill. 1t was a hand
some brick mansion, surrounded by n
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 her. From
his father, on the other hand. he had
In, tnl l. &c sia c.. ION D1
fierce bursting out of passionate feel
ings. He thought of all the happy
times in the old house where as boy
and later rs college man he had en-
joyed all the luxuries OF wealth and
leisure and companionship.
Suddenly Il man drove out OF the
roadway into which lie and the doctor
were just turning to go up to the house.
Both men pulled up just in time to
avoid running into each other.
rs that you, DR.. SaXon?" shouted
the man. Il 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 Il whirl-
wind. At the end of the long veranda
he stopped long enough to jump out
and let the horse go on to the barn.
He met Stuart just leaplng 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 lie is dying, What
right have you TO keep in the way?'
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 If 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 n 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 real
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 n torrent.
To confront the father with him under
those conditions might. prove serious
to them both.
Within the house servants were rum
ming about in confusion. The doctor