Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-17

tie rlulcUle Oh MS tuHU ~ nag 'N~'N -
enthusiasm,
at seems to me-" said, that con-
sidering how you've spent your time,
my dear boy, you are very poor per-
son to look down upon my efforts TO
turn this adventure of ours to some
account. The fact that | have kept
my eyes open and used those faculties
of penetration and observation OF
which | am the natural possessor 70
discover a piece of information which
might prove of great value, not only
to myself but also to you-thls tact
I say. Vincent, ought hardly to bring
upon me your derision as well as your
lack of sympathy" ! don't mind adj
hitting that really felt hurt, and
Vincent saw that | did.
He took his pipe out OF his mouth
and looked at me with those big, truth
full eyes of his so penitently that
smiled inwardly; then he gathered up
his long limbs from my hearthrug and
came and ensconced himself at my
feet as / sat in my easy chair.
"Well there, then" he said, patting
my hand as if I'd been an old woman
or a small child. Poor old Arch bald,
did I make it cross? Well, it was a
shame!" And he smiled at me with
such a mixture Of contrition and fun
that was obliged after short strug.
gle to laugh unconstrainedly.
well, suppose you will begin OPP
erations according to your latest clew
tomorrow" he laughed at me.
did not answer him, and silence
fell upon us. I was bordering over
the problem and did not look at Vim
cent for long while, but when did l
saw that his face wore a troubled,
hopeless look, and that his whole at
titude indicated profound detection.
'eVincent," l said, leaning over him,
whats the trouble?" had been
noticing of late that he had been sub
feet to fits of melancholy altogether
out of keeping with his character, and
had come to the conclusion that he
had some trouble ON his mind.
wanted to know what it was, SO that
/ could help him. When / spoke he
tSrned his head slowly and looked at
me a moment solemnly, then smiled
family, the very ghost of that splen'
did boyish smile of his, so that it went
to my heart.
"Oh, Arch" he burst out, every
things wrong! But it's not my fault;
how could help loving herr"
was amazed. What was the boy
talking about, and who was it that he
loved?
Eyes, sir" he went on; 81 met hSl
four miles from town carrying an OF
beggarwoman's bundle because tn
poor old thing had hurt her foot. An
when drew up the dogcart and aske
her to get in and take the bundle TO-
she shook her head, and, by Jove, 81
wouldn't get in till let the old be
ear-woman get in, tool" Vincel
turned to me positively radiant "A
Terhune!" he cried, you don't kno
what it is. love her sol"
And as he stood there, his RAJ
TRANSPORTED, grasped in momel
the meaning Of the whole thing al
the understanding struck like bio
at my heart and / knew how dear Il
welfare of this boy was to me. Som
how, Vincent represents to me q
things might have been, and am NJ
the things | might have won, al
have lost; he represents the first hui
Of nv own youth And now that
had wasted those opportunities to lei
the selfish existence of the avera;
bachelor. I found certain JOY
again experiencing those first thro
OF living that had been mine, In .
person and life Of young Vincent.
AS he stood before me, glowing WI
feeling. felt that it was for me
wipe that look from his face, cruel
it seemed, and my anger at the wo
an who had SO deceived the boy
Withholding from him the knowled
that she was married helped me to
the deed.
Vincent" / said, slowly, do y
mean-do / gather from your ravin
that you honestly er-care for u
persona had risen to my feet, a
as spoke vincent's whole expr
sion changed in a flash.
Your inference is perfectly G
rect, he said. His face went white a
there was war in his tone, for
perceived that meant trouble.
The necessity Of saving the boy
loved from the consequences, Of
own folly took possession Of me, q
was full Of rage at Vincent and
that constituencies woman In the g
gown who had entrapped him.
You FOOL ] said, putting my I;
close to his square, cleft chin, why
you throw away your chance in n
like that? What do you want to
yourself get entangled with an
ventures for? Don't you know
woman's married? She confessed
having one husband; she may havi
dozen, for all ! gnowl"
The inevitable happened, for \
cent with half-articulate cry J
d wild animal, raised his cIeslched,