The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1901-03-09
CHAPTER XXI.
Gathering Clouds.

CHAPTER XXI. 10
| ,. Gathering Clouds. -.
The SHOWS of December were whit
ening the turrets and gables of Give
Towers: the forest was a bleak wilder
ness, through whose mazes the winter
winds sighed and raved; the cozy lit
tie cottage of DR.. Bond was almost
lost sight Of in the white waste sur
rounding it. 49,.
But though the diamond panes Of
his little shady window were we'll
nigh covered with snow wreaths, and
his one small factotum-a crisp~haired
r u4atto boy-was making futile eff
forts to shovel a passage way to the
! gate. the doctors serenity was undis-
turbei, and he sat before q huge fire
with a large medical book in his hand,
the pnr1lsui Of which appeared to af-
ford MIN perfect satisfaction
Reasonable weather." said the doc
tor, rising at last, and rubbing his
hands together before the CHEEKY fire.
white winters 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, woman 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 revery-"who is
fool enough to turn out such a day as
this? Young Grey, the lawyers son!
Must be a matter CT life and death that
brings such a steady going fellow as
he is through such storm. Come in,
sir-come in! Don't stand shaking
your self all day on the door-mat.
There's no woman here to look sour at
sprinkling Of snow in the hall. Come
in to the fire right away. There's
liquor on the sideboard yonder; but I
forgot-you don't drink. All the better
: for you in the long run. Sit down,
then, and get warm. Don't say d
word until you are warm through"
I'm not at al cold, now, SIR" an.
sWered Laurence, as he obeyed the old
doctors hCspitable injunctions. II
came UP home for the holidays last
evening, and have taken the earliest
opportunity" .,~ ~'.@ - to.
"Of paying your respects to me, eh:'
said the doctor, grimly. Come, young
man, out with it. What's the matter?
| don't doubt your friendly feelings;
but they wouldn't have brought you
out for social call on a day like
this
Il was up at the Towers last night"
continued Laurence, gravely, "and I
could not help noticing the change in
in MI. 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 brol-
en- within the last few months-so
much so that 1 determined to consult
you as to the propr:ety of informing
Herbert of his fathers condition at
once"
"Humrh!' muttered the old doctor,
giving Laurence keen look over his
spectacles; edo you happen to know
where Herbert is, young man?''
L have not heard of him for several
MONTHS answered Laurence; s"but I
suppose letter addressed to his bank
ers in Paris vii, find him.
-. mo person else has heard of him
for several m"nths,'' continued the
doctor, drily. "IIe ought to be at home
now, s!r-he ought to be at home. It's
none of my business, for Robert Give
has never consulted me either as to his
health or prudence-but he's breaking
fast. He has never been the same
since the wreck of the Ocean Queen.
He first weakened then, body and
nina, and he's been weakening ever
slLce. That one week during which he
thought his son was lost, broke his
spirit forever. Yes, sir-yes,' added
the doctor, abstractly resting his hand
en- the ivory miniature he always wore
hldden in his breast: 'let skeptics talk
as they please, just God rules the
! world, and, sooner 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-"AIissF 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
.ers return. Poor girl" added Lau-
renee with sigh; sorrow is new to
her. She needs a friend" -:
"Where's that young jackanapes she
! is going to marry?" asked the doctor.
abruptly. whats his name-Wood.
Grove, Forest? Oh, yes, Forest. Where
| is hep \
fenton Forest answered the
young man, somewhat stif1y. HE is
!! off on duty just now"
, Glad to hear it. Best to keep him
! on duty" said the doctor, gruffiy. ~
hope he'll stay on duty for the rema in
der Of his life. Women are fools-the
/ best Of them-when it comes to choos-
ing 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,
its none OF my business, Of course, hui
II like that little girl and her brother,
and it there's to be a crash, I'd like to
have them stand clear. But I don't
knoW-l'm not much Of a Bible schol-
ar, but there is a 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
y::@The sins Of the.s#father shall be
D visited upon the children, even. to the
third and fn11rt1, -. =