Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-06-19

had dropped off into a sort OF doze-
more like stupor perhaps-and we
all went into Rogers old studio, ex-
cept Louden and the doctor, and while
we We're there talkin' one of Pixies
clerks came with basket full of tin
boxes and packages of papers and
talked to, Miss Tabor at the door and
out and asked her point blank what it
was, and she said it was her estute-
almost everything she had, except the
house. Buckalew, tryin' to make
joke, said he'd be willin' to swap his
house and lot for the basket, and she
laughed and told him she thought he'd
be sorry; that all there was, to speak
of, was pile of distillery stock
"What?" repeated Norbert incredu.
lousy.
Eyes. It was the truth" said the
colonel solemnly. Il saw 1t myself.
Blocks and blocks of stock in that dis
tillery trust that went up higher n
kite last year. Roger had put all of
Jonas good money
Not into thatp shouted Norbert, un-
comfortably excited.
Eyes, he did. tell you saw itw
II tell you he didn't. He owned
Granger gas, worth more today than
1t ever was Pike was Rogers at
torney in fact and bought 1t for him
before the old man died. The check
went through my hands. You don't
think I'd forget as big check as
that, do you, even If it was more than
year ago? Or how it was signed and
who made out to? 1t was Martin Pike
that got caught with distillery stock.
He specialized once too often!
mo, you're wrong" persisted the
colonel. II tell you saw it myself"
Then you're blind" returned his
grandson disrespectfully; you're blind
or else-or else He paused, open
mouthed, look of wonder struggling
its way to expression upon him, grad
ually conquering every knobby. out
post of his countenance. He struck his
fat hands together. Where's Joe Lou.
den?' he asked sharply. II want to
| see him. Did you leave him at Miss
Tabor's?"
Hes goln' to silt up with Eskew.
What do you want of him?"
II should say you better ask thatv'
Mrs. Flitcroft began shrllly. Its
enough, guess, for one of this fam
lily to go runnin' after him and shakin'
hands with him and heaven knows
what not! Norbert Flitcroftv'
But Norbert jumped from the porch
ruthlessly crossed his grandmothers
geranium bed and, making off at as
sharp pace as his architecture per
mitted, within ten minutes opened
Ariel's gate.
Sam Warden came forward to meet
him.
Don't ring, please, suh," said Sam
"Dey sot me out heah to tell inquirin
frien's dat POI ole Mist Arp mighty
low"
ed Norbert. II want to see him i'm
mediately."
81 dom reckon he kin come out yit,'
Sam said in low tone. But l XIII
go in an asst 'in."
He stepped softly within, leaving
Norbert waiting, and went to the dool
Of the sickroom. The door was open
the room brightly lighted, as Eskev
had commanded when, little earlier
he awoke.
Joe and Ariel were alone with him
leaning toward him with such white
anxiety that the colored man needed
no warning to make him remain silent
in the hallway. The veteran wat
speaking, and his voice was very weak
seeming to come from great dis
lance.
"It's mighty funny, but 1 feel like
used to when 1 was little boy. ]
reckon I'm kind Of scared-after all
Airie Tabor-are you-here?"
Eyes, Mr. Arp"
81 thought-so-but IL don't see yer,
well-lately. I-wanted-to-know-
know
>Yes-to know!" She knelt close be
side him.
=, II hlilU OI-lOOllSu, IL WulSpGESO
: II just-wanted to know if you wal
still here. It-don't seem SO lonesom,
, now that know"
She put her arm lightly about him
J and he smiled and was silent for j,
time; then he struggled to rise upol
: his elbow, and they lifted him little.
Its hard to breathe" gasped the-ol'
man. Pm pretty near-the big road
: Joe Louden"-
"Yes?'
r you'd have notwithstanding
t change places with me-just now
: when Airie"-
: Joe laid his hand on his, and Eske1
smiled again. 81 thought so! Anl
joe
g "Yes?"
"You always-always had the-th
: best of that joke between us. Do 20
I'M