Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-10-27
CHAPTNR x

IL was exactly II 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
heavily, to the room where Mr.. Leighan
was sitting and opened the door. 1t was
David coming to call upon his uncle on
his 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 homogeneous kind,
the sailors jacket i'll asserting with the
rustic corduroy trousers and waistcoat-
He threw open the door and stood con-
fronting the man whom he had last seen
dead. as he thought, killed by his own
hand. He tried to face him braxenly,
but broke down and stood before him
with hanging head and guilty eyes.
80" said Daniel Leighan, sit is Da-
vid come back again. We thought you
were dead"
"You hoped 1 was dead; say It out"
said David, with a ropy voice.
Dead or alive, it makes no difference
to me. Stay; you were in my debt when
you went away. Have you come to set
tie that long-outstanding accountf
David stepped into the soom and shut
the door behind him.
You have got something to say to me
first" he said in husky voice. -Have
it out now. and get 1t over. Something
you've kept dark, ehf''
What do you msanr'
"OutsIde they knew nothing sss<t It
That was well done. No occasion to
make a family scandal-and me gone
away and all-was there? Come, let us
have it out, old man. Who robbed me
of my land?"
His words were defiant, but his eyes
were uneasy and suspicious
Say. rather, who fooled away his in
heritance with drink and neglectY r.
Robbed me, I sayw
'ff 1 had not bought your land soma
one else would. If you've come home in
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. whoa he
comes back. wen have it out. We won't
have family scandal Well. am
back. l thought you were dead-~
Il am not dead, as you see"
"Wel, so on Say what you've got
to say. I'll sit and listen. Come; we
owe you so much. Pay it out, then"
David" said his uncle. qsietly.
drink has evidently driven you OF yoxr
head Family scandal? What was there
TO hide? Good heavensl do you suppose
that the whole Of your family, with its
prodigacy and drunkenness, was not
known to all the countryside? Why, your
history Is one long scandal. Things to
hide? Why, the whole parish was 90
ashamed Of you that 1t rejoleed when
you wsat away. That is all 1 have to
say to you. David What ara you staring
like black pig forT'
soar cried David. ais II possible
What does he mean7 Come, old man,
don't bottle up. You cant do anytllins
to me now, and 1 might do a great deal
for you; might. If you aidn't bottle up
and bear malice. Come-you and me
know-let's have it out"
what do we two know7 All l know
Is that you have been away for six years
and rou come back In rags. that yuu had
a az Of some kind last night up at Joseph
E.su's- Hare you cot any account &c
givs Of yourselfr'
Don't bottle up" David said, fsebly,
There's nobody here but yox and ma.
III own up. And then can hlp yos
as nobody else can't you don't bottle
up. II you debut why should youi
What's the goodf There's nobody herr
but you and me. What Is the good o.
pretending that there's nrthingf DID
you ever forgive anybody In your life,
Do you thsuk l believe you are going L
forgive ms-you of all men IN tn.
woridf'
} Leave of this nonsense about hidsn;
and pretending and infarrinE. Ons wonll