The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-04
BACK FROM THE BORDER,
Bv HORACE SEYMOUR KELLER fs:opyright. 1904, by Daily Story Put

Br HORACE SEYMOUR KELLER fx;opyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub N, Col
 The old merchant turned on his stool shook his long, lean finger authorita' lively at his caller and said, angriiy'
 ~The whole thing is a lie--a lie made out of whole cloth. And It has been helped along by his aunts, his two blessed aunts. What's more. candidly believe you are a party to the scheme.-"
 "Prender Prender-"
 Don't Prender me. if you psease. I've been Prendered for a good hpns time, and 1t has cost me barrel oi money. If Billy sneezed you came, If Billy whimpered you came. If Billy ran a silver in his little finger you came. I've had enough of 1t. I've been builied and Billed from the start. 1t must stop
 .Prender. twenty-five years ago. when came to you as you sat crouch- led fn your library and told you that 1t was boy. you thought differently then. can see you yet. Crusheo with anxiety one moment and Duoyeo by hope the next. Kings have prayed for what came to you that chill. long night Kings have been disappointed. You were not. It was a boy. And the mother"
 The old physician reached out to catch the wavering man before him. but Prender quickly recovered himself and uttered huskily:
 Don't, don't tell me that! It Is in my life here, here. in my breast-the death of--her. I loved her. idolized her. my Marie! And the boy went the pace from early childhood; coddled and snuggled by his two blessed aunts. They are to blame for 1t all. wash my hands of the entire thing-ar utter failure
 Pardon me. Prender. but you have failed as we'll"
 Tt is a--never mind what mean but lie. just the same. provided all boy could ask for. My means were his. My purse was ever open What more could father do? Answer me that"
 ssYou made the usual mistake tha some fathers make, Prender. To, should have kept a little closer leading string--
 aEut. man. what could I do? Hi two blessed aunts babied him and kep me from showing my authority. Ant now the result is-Billy is of no us, to me when need him so much. Doc tor. is there no alternative7"
 None but a quick race witi death----
 well. have your way then. To th' woods with the boy. But now abou me?r
 aOh. You are tough as nails ant can stand anything"
 The old doctor left the busy man'i of7ice with a quiet look on his face ai he murmured softly:
 ssIf is BilIy's last chance"
 And 1t was Billy to the woods. tt rough 1t. to biuff. it, and to tough it And the pale but brave young fellow did his best to down the thing thai cIutched at his vitals and confronted him flike the whMe ghost of Nemesis And his father-tough as nails--kept his nose. to the stone and attended te affairs.
 Prender had not seen Billy for twC years, but wanted to more than h' dared to confess. The boy. puny weak, slim lad as he was. had his mothers eyes. the tone of her voice and the soft touch of her hands. Ant Prender missed them so-ah. how h. missed themi The delight of 1t all the sweetness of all such passed ava, from the merchants life when his dar ling died--the mother of Billy. who i fighting for his life up in the woods.
 Prender is seated at his desk. try ing to work. The air chokes him an n mist comes before his eyes. He