The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-09-05

ing to his feet. "What are you talk
ing about?'
cts true,'' said the colonel deliber-
ately. "She told me so herself. Eskew
had dropped off into a sort Of doze-
more like a stupor perhaps-and we
all went into Rogers old studio, ex-
cept Louden and the doctor, and while
we were there talkin' one Of Pixies
clerks came with a basket full of tin
boxes and packages Of papers and
talked to Miss Tabor at the door and
went away. Then old Peter Numbered
out and asked her point blank what it
was, and she said it was her estate
almost everything she had, except the
house. Buckalew, tryin' to make a
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. 1t was the TRUTH said the
colonel solemnly. Il saw it myself.
Blocks and blocks of stock in that dis
tillery trust that went up higher n a
kite last year. Roger had put all of
Jonas good money!
s'Not into thaty' shouted Norbert, un-
controllably excited.
eyes, he did. I tell you I saw it!'
II tell you he didn't. He owned
Granger gas, worth more today than
it ever was! Pike was Rogers at
torney in fact and bought it for him
before the old man died. The check
went through my hands. You don't
think I'd forget as big a 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 speculated 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?"
"He's goin' to sit up with Eskew.
What do you want of him?'
II should say you better ask thatw
Mrs. Flitcroft began shrilly. 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 grandmother's
geranium bed and, making off at as
sharp q pace as his architecture per-
mitted, within ten minutes opened
Ariels 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 po' ole Mist Arp mighty
low"
Il want to see Mr. Louden," return
ed Norbert. "I want to see him i'm
mediately.''
II dom reckon he kin come out w.t."
Sam said in a low tone. But I kin
go in an asst 'im.''
He stepped softly within, leaving
Sorbert waiting, and went to the door
OF the sickroom. The door was open,
the room brightly lighted, as Eskev
had commanded when, a little earlier
he awoke.
Joe and Ariel We're 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
speaking, and his voice was very weak.
seeming to come from a great dis
lance.
Its mighty funny, but I feel like
used to when I was a little boy.
reckon I'm kind Of scared-after all.
A1rie Tabor-are you-here?"
Eyes, Mr.. Arp"
II thought-so-but II don't see very
Well-lately. l. anted-to-know
know
"Yes-to know:" She knelt close be.
sue MIN.
Its kind of-foolish," he whispered.
L ]ust-Wanted to know if you was
still here. It-don't seem so lonesome
now that 1 know"
She put her arm lightly about him.
and he smiled and was silent for a
tme; then he struggled to rise upon
MS elbow, and they lifted him little.
Its hard to BREATHE gasped the old
man. Pm pretty near-the big road.
Joe Louden'-
"Yes?''
YOU'D have been-willing to
change places with me-just now
when Airie'-
Joe laid his hand on his, and Eskew
smiled again. IT thought so! And.
Joe"-
"Yes?"
'You always always had the-the