The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-06-20


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 a pile of distillery stock
What" repeated Norbert incredu-
lousy.
"Yes. 1t was the truth said the
colonel solemnly. II 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
Not into thatr' shouted Norbert, un-
controllably excited.
"Yes, he did. tell you I saw it!'
81 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 1t 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
a year ago? Or how 1t 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. Il tell you l saw 1t 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. Il 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?"
Il should say you better ask that"
Mrs. Flitcroft began shrilly. Its
enough, l guess, for one Of this fam
lily to 60 runnin' after him and shakin'
hands with him and heaven knows
what not! Norbert Flitcroft!'
But Norbert jumped from the porch,
ruthlessly crossed his grandmother's
geranium bed and, making of at as
sharp a pace as his architecture per
mitted, within ten minutes opened
| Ariers 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"
81 want to see Mr.. Louden," return
ed Norbert. 81 want to see him i'm"
medlately."
81 DON reckon he kin come out yit,"
Sam said in a low tone. "But I kin
60 In an asst i'm"
He stepped softly within, leaving
Norbert waiting. and went to the door
! Of the sickroom The door was open,
the room brightly lighted, as Eskew
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 wos
speaking, and bis voice was very weak.
seeming to come from great dis
tance.
'Its mighty funny, but feel like l
used to when / was a little boy. l
reckon I'm kind Of scared-after all.
Airle Tabor-are you-here"
Yes, Mr. Arp"
81 thought-so-but IL don't see very
well-lately. I-wanted-to-know-tc
| know
"Yes-to knowT She kpelt close be.
side him.
ITS kind of-foolish," Re whispered.
81 just--waated to know If you was
still here. It-don't seem so lonesome
now that know"
She put her arm lightly about him.
and he smiled and was silent for q
time; then he struggled to rise upon
his elbow, and they lifted him little.
I Its hard to breathe" gasped the old
man. I'm pretty near-the big road.
Joe Louden'N
"Yes:"
You'd have been-willing-willing to
change places with me-just now
when Airie"-
Joe laid his hand on his, and Eskew
smiled again. Il thought so! And
joe
"Yes?"
"You always-always had the-the
best of that joke between us. DO you
you suppose they charge admission
up there?' His eyes were lifted. do
you suppose you've got toto show
your good deeds to git in?' The an
swering whisper was almost as faint
as the old mans.
NO" painted Eskew, nobody knows
But l hope-I do hope-they'll have