The San Francisco call., 1907-01-06
CHAPTER xxI--oe.anued

Granger Gas. worth more today
than IL ever was. pike was
Rogers attorney-in-fact and
bought Il for him before the old man
died. The check went through my
hands. You don't think I'd forget as
big a cneck ss that do you. even II II
yvss more than a year ago? or now II
was signed or who made out to- X
was Martin Pike that sot caught With
distillery stock. lie speculatec once
TOO often"
mo. you're wrong persisted the
colonel. Il tell you ] saw Il myself
Then you're blind" returned his
grandson disrespectfuily; you're blind
or else-or else" He paused. Open
mouthed. a look OF wonder struggling
Sts way TO expression upon him. grad
hlsIly conouering every knobby outpost
OF his countenance. Tie struck his fat
hands together. where's Joe Louden2"
10 asked. SHARPLY Il want 10 see him.
Did you leave him at Miss Tsbors?"
Hes goin' 10 sit up with Eskew.
what do you want OF him2"
~ should say you better ask that
Mrs Flitcroft began, shrilly. It's
enough, ] guess, for one Of this family
10 go runnin' after him and shakin
hands with him and heaven knows
what not. Norbert Flitcroft"
But Norbert jumped from the porch,
ruthlessly crossed his grsndmothers
eeranium bed, and. making on al as
sharp q pace as his architecture per
mitted. within ten minutes opened
Arieis gate.
sam Warden came forward to meet
him
Don't ring. please. sub" said Sam
sDey sot me out heah TO tell inGuirin
frien's dat po' ole Mist Arp mighty
low
i want TO see Mr. Louden," returned
Norbert. i want to see him immedi-
ately"
L don reckon he kin come out yit'
sam said in low tone. But ] kin
go in an asst EN-"
He stepped softly within. leaving
Norbert waiting, and went TO the door
OF the sick-room. The door was open.
the room brightly lighted, as Eskew
had commanded when, little earlier,
he awolxe.
zoe 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 was speak
ihg 10 come from a great distance.
Its mighty funny. but feel like I
used 10 when 1 was a little boy. I
reckon Tn kind OF scared--sfter all.
Airie Tabor-are you-here?"
Yes. Mr. Arp"
y thought-so-but I-don't see very
well--lately. I-wanted-to-know-to
know"
''Yes-to know" She knelt close be-
side him.
It's kind of-foolish." he whispered.
7 Just-wanted to know il you was
now that ! know"
She put her arm lightly about him
and he smiled and was silent for a time.
Then he struggled to rise upon his ell
bow. and they lifted him a little.
'Its hard TO breathe, gssped the
old man. I'm pretty near--the big
road. Joe Louden-"
"Yes2"
You'd have been-willing-willin
20 change places with me-5ust now
when Afrie-"
Joe laid his hand on his. and Eskew
smiled again. i thought So And,
Joe"
"Yes?"
's You slways-slways had the-the
best OF that Joke between us. DO you
you suppose they charge admission
aup there7" His eyes were lifted. do
YOU suppose you've got TOTO show
your good deeds 20 git in?" The an
swering whisper was almost as faint
as the old mans.
NO" painted Eskew. nobody knows.
some free seats. It's a-miehty poor
show--we ll--all have---if they--dOn't.'
He sighed peacefully. his head grew
heavier on Joe's arm. and the young
man set his hand gently upon the un-
seeing eyes Ariel did not rise from
where she knelt but looked up at him
when. a little later he lifted his hand.
Yes" said Joe, you can cry now.