The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-08-29

mered the colonel, IF you-you talk
about goin' away from us, Eskew We
we couldn't get along
'Well, sir, I'm almost kind of glad
to Think" Mr.. Arp murmured. between
short struggles for breath, "that it'll
-Quieter-On the - National House
corner"
A moment later he called the doctor
family and asked for a restorative.
''There," he said in a stronger voice
and with CLEAN Of satisfaction in the
vindication of his belief that he was
dying II was almost gone then.
know" He lay painting for a moment,
then spoke the name of Joe Louden.
Joe came quickly to the bedside.
II want you to shake hands with the
colonel and Peter and Buckalew."
1--WE did," answered the colonel, in
fnitely surprised and troubled. 1--WE
shook hands outside before we came
In"
"Do it again." said Eskew. II want
to see you
And Joe, making shift to smile, was
suddenly blinded, so that he could not
see the wrinkled hands extended to
him and was fain to grope for them.
"God knows why we didn't all take
his hand long ago." said Eskew Arp.
II didn't because was stubborn. I
hated to admit that the argument was
against me. acknowledge it now be-
fore him and before you-and want
the word Of it carriedv'
"1t's all right, Mr.. Arp" began Joe
TREMENDOUSLY. "You mustn't'-
clark to me-" The old mans voice
lifted higher. IF you'd ever whim-
pered or give back talk or broke out
the wrong way it would of been diff
ferent, but you never did. I've watch
ed you, and I know. And you've just
| gone your own way alone, with the
town against you because you got a
bad name as boy, and once we'd
given you that, everything you did or
| didn't do we had to give you blacker
one. Now it's time some one stood by
| you. Airie Tabor IL do that with all
her soul and body. She told me once
I thought a good deal Of you. She
knew. But want these three old
boys with them, and they'll do it, l
think. They've even stood up fer you
against me sometimes, but mostly fer
the sake Of the argument, reckon,
but now they must do it when there's
more to stand against than just my
talk. They saw it all today-the mean
est thing I ever knew! I could OF
stood it all except that" Before they
could prevent him he had struggled
half upright in bed, lifting clinched
fist at the town beyond the windows.
'But, by God, when they got so low
down they tried to kill your dog
He fell back, choking, in Joe's arms,
and the physician bent over him, but
Eskew was not gone, and Ariel, upon
the other side of the room, could hear
him whispering again for the restora-
tive. She brought it, and when he had
taken it went quickly out of doors to
the side yard.
She sat upon workman's bench un-
der the big trees, hidden from the
street shrubbery, and, breathing deep
ly Of the shaded air, began to cry quiet
~. Through the windows came the
Quavering voice Of the old man, lifted
again, insistent, little Querulous, but
determined. Responses sounded inter
mittently from the colonel, from Peter
and from Buckalew, and now and then
a sorrowful, yet almost humorous pro-
test from Joe; and so she made out
that the veteran swore his three CON-
rades to friendship with Joseph Lou
den, to lend him their countenance in
all matters, to stand by him in veal
and woe, to speak only good Of him
and defend him in the town Of Canaan.
Thus did Eskew Arp on the verge of
parting this life render justice.
The gate clicked, and Ariel saw Eu-
gene approaching through the shrub
berry. One Of his hands was bandaged,
a thin strip of courtplaster crossed his
forehead from his left eyebrow to his
hair and his thin and agitated face
showed several light scratches.
II saw you come out" he said. eve
been waiting to speak to you.''
1.-The doctor told us to let him have
his way in whatever he might ask
Ariel wiped her eyes. I'm afraid that
means
Il didn't come to talk about Eskew
Arp" interrupted Eugene. "I'm not
labor1ng under any anxiety about him.
You needn't be afraid he's too sour to
accept his congo so readily"
"Please lower your voice." she said
rising quickly and moving away from
h1m toward the house; but, as he fol-
lowed, insisting sharply that he must
speak with her. she walked out Of ear
shot of the windows and, stopping,
turned toward him. every WELL" she
said. rs it a message from Mamie ?"
At this he faltered and hung fire.
"HaVe you been to see herr" she
continued. Il am anxious to know if
her goodness and bravery caused her
| anV-anV Discomfort a + bor,ov