The Caldwell tribune., 1905-10-07

nxon, clapping her hands. "To think
Inas none OF us knew him at frst sighti
Ana that you should come to my house.
'or al the houses In the parish, trst, and
me nor to know youl and you in this con-
oltion! But you'll soon change all that:
and III make up the bed for you-and
Your uncle and Miss Mary will be DOWN
right glad to see you, Mr.. David To
think Of my not knowing Mr.. Davidp'
CHAPTER K.
1t was exactly 10 o'clock Sunday morn
ing when Mr.. Leighan was suddenly
startled by mans step. He knew the
step somehow, but could not at the mo-
ment remember to whom 1t belonged. The
man, whoever he was, knew his way
ABOUT the place, because he came from
the back and walked straight, treading
neaVtly, to the room where Mr.. LeiRhan
was sitting and opened the door. It was
David coming to call upon his uncle on
mis- return. There was some improve
ment In his appearance. Joseph Exon
had lent him certain garments In place
Of those he had worn the day before;
the canvas trousers, for instance had
gone, and the terrible felt hat with the
hole in the crown. His dress was now
OF nondescript and incongruous kind,
the sailors Jacket Ill asserting with the
rustic corduroy trousers and waistcoat.
de threw open the door and stood con-
fronting the man whom he had last seen
dead, as he thought, killed by mis- own
hand. He tried to face him brazenly,
but broke down and stood before him
with hanging head and guilty eyes.
"So," said Daniel Leighan, at is Da-
vid come back again. We thought you
were dead"
You hoped was dead; say 1t out, !"
said David, with a ropy voice.
Dead or alive, 1t makes no difference
to me. Stay; you were In my debt when
you went away. Have Sou come to set
tie that long-outstanding accountT'
David stepped into the room and shut
the door behind him.
You have got something to say to me
drst," he said in q husky voice. Have
1t out now, and get 1t over. Something
you've kept dark, shT'
"What do you mean?'
"Outside they knew nothing about It.
That was we'll done. No occasion to
make a family scandal-and me gone
away and all-was there2 Come, let us
have 1t out, old man. Who robbed me
Of my landw
His words were defiant, but his eyes
were uneasy and suspicious.
Say, rather, who fooled away his In
heritance with drink and neglect?'
Robbed me- Bay!'
"If had not bought your land some
one else would. If you've come home II
this disposition, David, you had better
go away again as soon as you please
Don't waste my time with foolish talk.
"'David's gone you said. When hi
comes back, we'll have it out. We won
have a family scandal Well, 1 an
back. thought you were dead"
II am not dead, as you see."
swell, go on. Say what you've 60
to say. I'll sit and listen. Gomez W.
owe you so much. Pay 1t out, then"
David" said his uncle, quietly
"drink has evidently driven you off you
head. Family scandal2 What was ther
to hide2 Good heavens! do you suppos
that the whole Of your family, with it
profiigacy and drunkenness, was no
known to ali the countryside2 Why, you
history Is one long scandal. Things t.
hideP Why, the whole parish was 8
ashamed of you that 1t rejoicOd whel
you went away. That Is all have t.
!; say to you, David. What are you starin
like a black pig for"
"Ohw cried David. "Is it possible
What does he mean2 Come, old man
don't bottle up. You can't do anythin
to me now, and might do a great dea
for you; might, If you didn't bottle u
and bear malice. Come-you and IN
know-let'B have 1t out"
"What do we two know? All knov
ig that you have been away Cor six years
! and YOU come back in rags, that you ha
fit Of some kind last night up at Josep
= Hxon's. Have you got any account
: give of yourselfT
"Don't bottle up" David said, feeblJ
'sThere's nobody here but you and MT
! rll own up. And then I can help 20
3 "a nobody else can-if you don't bottl
! up. If you do-but why should you
7 what's the good7 There's nobody her
8 but Won and me. What Is the good {
r pretending that there's nothing? Di
= Won ever forgive anybody in your life
Do you think l believe you are going
e forgive me-you Of all men In tt
h worldT
o "Leave of this nonsense about hidin
q and pretending and inferring. One woul
( think you had been numbering som
body" o., 1,
David sat down, staring with tt
" blauksst astonishment. He had by tn
:! time succeeded in impressing upon h
brain the Axed conviction that his unc
>. kent his murderous assault a secret OF
y of regard for the family name, and
= came prepared to be submissive to g
press contrItion, and to offer, In retul
= for the secret being still kept, to gl'
back to his uncle the long-loSt box II
\ of papers. And now, this conviction q
- stroysd. he knew not what to think
d what to say. -, "a /
a at can't bsT' he said, ut can't b
n Uncle, you are playing some deep gan
:. with me. You are like a cat with
= mouse. You are old, but you are FOX
= you've got Il game Of your own to pia
4 and you think you'll play that game 10
II down. Come" hO made one more enc
= TO ascertain il the impossible really nj
happenod-"eoms. It's like q game
t-n as ant 1AtSs drop Ii, al