Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-02

Many" said Siward slowly, too
many 10 utter, but not enough to ex
press what feel If you will take
two on account here they are IN one
phrase-thank you"
Debts Cancelled" said Plank, laugh
ing. do you want to hear the de-
tails?'
The narrative exchanged by Plank
in return for Siward's intensely inter
ested questions was a simple, limpid
review of a short but terrific campaign
that only yesterday had threatened to
rage through court after court, year
after year In the sudden shock of the
cessation from battle, Plank himself
was little dazed. Yet he himself had
expected the treason that ended all
He himself had foreseen it.
plank" said Siward at last, there
is nothing in the world that men ad
mire more than a man. 1t is good
deal of a privilege for me to tell you
So"
Plank turned red with surprise and
embarrassment, stammering out some
thing incoherent.
That was all that was said about the
victory. Siward, unusually gay for
awhile, presently turned somber, and it
was Plank's turn to lift him out Of it
by careless remarks about his rapid
convalescence and the chance for va
cation he so much needed
Once Siward looked up vacantly
where am l to go?" he asked. I'D
as soon stay here
But I'm going" insisted Plank.
1.-THE Fells is all ready for us"
"The,Fells. l can't go there"
"You once promised"-
plank, I'll go anywhere except
there with you. I'd rather be with
you than with anybody. Can l say
more than that7'
at think you ought to, Siward A
fellow feels the refusal of his Of
fered rooftree."
Man! Mani 1t isn't your roof am
refusing l want to go. I'd give any
thing to 60 If it were anywhere ex-
cept where it is, I'd go fast enough.
Now do you understand? Tiff Shot
over House and Shotoyer people were
not next door to the Fells I'd go. Do
you know what's the matter with me.
PlankT''
II think So"
At have wondered. l wonder now
how much you know"
VERY little, Siward."
How muchW
Plank looked up, hesitated and shook
his head. "One infers from what one
hears"
''Infers whatP"
1.-THE truth. suppose" replied Plank
simply.
And what" insisted Siward. shave
you inferred that you believe to be the
TRUTH Don't parry. Plank. 1t isn't
easy for me, and IL never before
spoke this way to any man. 1t is
likely should have spoken to my
mother about it. had expected to. 1t
may be weakness-I don't know, but
I'd like to talk little about it to some
body And there's nobody fit to listen.
except you. You know what a pillow
is to a tired mans shoulders. ! want
to use your sane intelligence to rest
on a moment It's my brain that's
tired. Plank"
Although everybody had cynically
used Plank. nobody had ever before
found him a necessity.
GO on" he said unsteadily. 'It /
can be of use to you. Siward. in Gods
name let ne be. for have never been
necessary to anybody in all nay life"
Siward rested his head on one
cIinched hand How much chance do
you think I have?" he asked YEARLY.
Chance TO get we!l?"
YES"
Plank considered for moment. then,
You are not trying. Siward"
II have been trying since = since
March In March Miss Lands spoke
to me- I've made better fight since"
P!ank's serious face darkened rs
she the only anchor you have?"
Plank l am not even sure of her.
have made better fight since then.
That is all dare say. know what
mer think about a man like me. l
know they demand character. pride,
self denial. But Plank, | am driving
faster and faster toward the brea kers,
and these anchors are dragging For
it is not in my case the physical fail.
ure to obey the will. 1t is the will it.
self that had been attacked from the
first. That is the horror Of it. And
what is there behind the will power
to strengthen it? Only the source Of
will power-the mind. 1t is the mind
that cannot help me. What am | to
do?'
There is a spiritual strength" said
Plank timidly.
81 have never dreamed of denying
it." said Siward. II have tried to find
1t through the accepted sources-ac-
copied by me too. God knows that
desire to be decent He must be
aware, too, that all anchors save one
have failed to hold me-"
"You mean Miss Landis?"
"Yes. 1t may be weakness; it may
be TO nv shame that the cables of