Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-08

> THE SAVING OF THE BOY .
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. @~@@@@~~@~~~~~wmW

RotherWell & Co.. of the Stock Elk
change. The magistrate remarking the
case was a serious one, prisoner was
remanded In custody"
There 1t was in black and white His
son-his only son! How well he re-
membered the boys last birthday-to
them John was boy still. Ever duti-
full, he had come home for It's celebra.
ton; he, John the elder, had related
how he had married at 81. Perhaps
John the younger would, too! But the
hoy" had shaken his head he remain
ed heart-whole; In their quiet way
they had rejoiced.
That was three weeks since; he was
doing we'll by all accounts. And now,
a felon, criminal in the dock! The
man groaned again; it was terrible.
Better have put him to the plough like
his father and sires before him. The
Lord had intended the Smithersons to
till the soil; it was sacrilege to allow
the lad to stray from the paths Of his
ancestors.
At the rough wooden gate he paused,
realizing that the worst remained to be
faced. Mother must never know. Johns
usual weekly letter should have reach
ed them that morning; its absence was
accountable IN the light Of what had
happened. He could never tell Mary
the reason; 1t would break her heart.
But should John be convicted-the
word made him shudder-could he ex-
plain the lack Of those epIstles she look
ed for so eagerly month after month?
And then an inspiration seized him
John must never be sentenced!
He entered the snow-white cottage,
scarcely daring to meet the glance Of
his wife. Round-faced, rudy of com.
plexion, sixty-odd years rested lightly
upon her shoulders. Little, except rheu-
matlsm, troubled her placid existence.
You're late, john" she observed.
looking up anxiously, as he removed
his coat and slowly hung it behind the
door.
EYES," he murmured, with a painful
attempt at naturalness. "Mrs. VIII
liams sold out all the papers"
"Sold out" Her eyes flashed, but he
saw it not. 100 bad Of her! You
didn't by any chance call at the Fox
to see one?"
"Ha! ha! That old joke!" with a
hollow laugh that tried him strangely.
"But I might ha' done! 1 might ha'
doneI"
He sat down at the table with It's
spotless linen cloth, making a great pre-
tense to eat. His wife, 1t seemed, re-
garded him shrewdly, though he avoid
ed direct look. And, like his, her
appetite was poor, or was 1t fancy? He
had never had a secret from his wife:
1t was hard, so very hard to dissemble!
Mother" he blurted out, presently,
lighting his pipe-a present from John
last Christmas, he recalled with a start
Mother, what about Sarah JaneY
In the big cloud of tobacco smoke ne
hoped to conceal his agitation. His
heart thumped painfully while he
awaited her reply.
Sarah Jane?" she repeated. what
arc you driving att"
why" boldly, "it's time l saw her.
Two years come Michaelmas, and bed
ridden as she Is"
Mrs. Smitherson shook her head.
"Its a weary way this weather"
And, as an afterthought, when would
you be thinking of going, dear?"
The mans heart grew lighter; Mary
was taking 1t better than expected. All
the same she frequently chided him
gently, 1t was true-for neglecting his
sister.
"WhenY' he echoed. ''No time like
the present There's a train soon. Will
kins'll drive me to the station, make
no doubt"
But getting home? 1t would be so
late"
"I could-I@"
"Yes?"
"Stay the night If needs be. No oc-
casion to be afeard, my dear. It's a
while though since we've been parted"
Now that 1t was out John Smither-
son marvelled at his own audacity Had
he, been told he would have suggested
such a thing, the idea would have been
scorned. And he was deceiving his
wife. Alas! one never grows to old to
lie.
The woman suddenly looked up,
"As you please, John" she murmur-
ed. "I'll expect you back tomorrow"
John SmItherson set about the task
Of preparation with all the feverishness
Of a school boy. It was something,