The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-12-10


rather deternined-looking man. aD-
pearlng IN the doorway
He was Stephen Butts. a relative OF
the man who had married Martha's
only daughter who. with her husband.
now was dead
He presently stated the object Of bis
visit he had come to town from his
ranch, wishing 20 take Jaeky back with
him. He and his wife would be glad
to adopt the boy, he said
mo. Butts" Martha replied. with
touch OF asperity. shouldn't teel
BIZ relieved 10 De I'd Of Jacky."
And / must stay 20 take care Of
Granny" chimed In the child. slipping
his arm. pink hand into the wrinkled
brown one.
Butts argued the matter awhile He
wanted the boy Finally he went
away. saying that he would not accept
Martha's decision as final He would
be IN town again for Thanksgiy-
ing.
That afternoon Martha went to the
once Of her lawyer. Mr. creil
Mr crell gfested her cordially. I'm
glad you called IN today. Mrs. Brent"
be said. giving her a chair. y wanted
70 see you
mo good newsi" De said. I've
heard from Mr. Ford. but I'm sorry TO
be obliged TO ten you that ne writes he
does not see much use Of continuing
your pension case. He cannot a d.scover
any one who knew Sergeant William
Gay q james Brent
James Brent bad retaken bis true
name when be got his discharge from
the army three years before his death.
and came 10 live IN this western town.
and now It seemed impossible 20 prove
that ne and Sergeant Clay were the
same man.
His widow mortgaged the home 70
lawyer Ford. the pension attorney.
who seeing no chance Of winning the
ease demanded payment Or The mort
gage. creli told o. Ford's demands.
Martha started She grew very
white She had a poor head for busi-
ness matters. and she had not fully
realized. when she m0rtgaged her
property TO meet the expenses Of em-
pioyine the Washington lawyer. that
she must lose il n she did not get her
pension in the latter event the ten
years arrears due her would easily
have paid up the mortgage.
= hope We may be abe 70 save the
place some way. said Mr. Crell. OBJ
serving her distress How about SELL
Ing that land on tie rlrerz"
Oh. air. I cannot sell that; IT,"
Martha. half extending the deed from
under her shawl. drew Il sharply back
into hiding.
A nerce food o. terror set every
nerve IN her Old body trembling.
what did you say. sir3r she asked.
weakly. AR. crell explained that Il
would be wise TO sell the land -rm
sure your husband would approve" be
said.
Martha rose from her chair abruptly.
"Ycs. 7 believe JAMES would want
ne Is sell Il. !" she fcelarei: "hed want
anything rather than Jacky and I'd B.
Without home.' She went away
quickly
Martha did not work wen that after
noon. Here mind vas distracted. She
kept slipping her hand into her pocket
10 feel the deed les possession con-
fused her actions
Unable to stand the strain any long
er she started 10 Crelis once 20 tell
the story. But on the way she met
Jacky returning from school
Come. you're tired. Let's hurry
home" said Jaeky Why. that's no,
the way home. GRANNY You're start
ing uptown. See. it's well I came q
fetch you. Take my shoulder I'm
pretty big now"
Martha's determination wilted weak.
ly away. She vent home with her boy
It was not untl they were seated Al
supper that her sense oi.right pui IN q
claim again.
1--WE taken the second wrong step
and I've got TO stop herer' she pulled
herself up.
she knew that II the worst came "a
the worst she might 60 70 the poor.
house. and tried &c pursuade him % g,
60 Butts
Jacky's face eiouded. ne dung him
self back Ia bis chair
Now. Granny. Be- cried. with tears
eyou're talking Is though you wanted
ne to 80 and yon said you didn't.
son, nrnmferf that / might afwave star
with you
Martha's face fen from the vheed
ling expression e had assumed shl
gave ND the effort 70 persuade thl
child % wish e. leave her IS teycnl
her strength. She rose abruptly ate
few minutes and walked to the Stove
she lifted q ld and snatched tlc dee.
from her pocket
~Why. what are you doing NOW
1acky asked surprised 20 the n.rvou
intensity Of her actions.