The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-03-27

appear 10 meet CUhICc COHltIb III OIL
attituee at once discreet and conf
dentia' The hollyhocks arrow along
the edge OF the porch added a sense
OF seclusion. They were tall and
lush and branchy enough to screen
the whole porch space throughout the
pleasant weather People wondered
not a little that the Greers did not
plant vines instead-vines were so
much more graceful and lasting; then,
too since everybody had them, they
must be the right thing
Drenton was sick of right things;
therefore, to see the hollyhocks. at
their best In a blaze Of midsummer
sunshine, was to resolve that ne would
live with them for the next fortnight
at least. lie turned in through the
sagging green gate with the free step
OF assured welcome. II did not In
the least astonish him to have some
one say from out the hollyhock am
bush: Come in, though | don't be
lieye you can have any business
here"
You are mistaken" Drenton said,
smiling family. Settling oneself Is
always fearful business You'll help
me? Oh. know you don't take board
ers-therc is no look of boarders. not
the least-but you'll let me stay?"
Il cant tell until Mary sees you.
She's away-won't be back for an
hour" the voice replied. 1t was a
mans voice, high-pitched and weak,
yet not unpleasant. Peering within
the leafy shade Drenton saw wheel
chair heaped with pillows. among
which there sat a drawn figure, pitt
fully distorted But the mans face
was frcsh-colored, almost handsome,
and little tanned lie held out n
knotted hand to Drenton, as he added:
81 sha'n't say a word. Shed let you
stay If she thought wanted you even
the least bit should like to have
you--you look new and strange
Strangers are precious when you've
been fast In one spot for ~ years"
Denton shivered, yet shook the
crippled hand warmly and sat down
facing the wheel-chair. Il sha'n't
smiling, yet gulping little over the
name Tell me about her-and
yourself-before she comes. Then
shall know better II ought TO ask
shelter here. ] want to stay badly,
and yet"
There is little to tell--now. Once
! thought there was great deal
the man. William Greer, said, sigh.
ing family. THAT was before | un.
derstood-when | was ready, almost,
TO curse God and die. You see, mar.
ried Mary partly because ] was 80
sorry for her. She had had hard lines,
taking care Of two on an income not
half big enough for one. II was her
stepmother she took care OF, and tho
woman hadn't been overly kind. But
she had nobody else, so when the bus.
band died, just after she fell Ill, Mary
stayed by her rs though It were a
thing OF course. How she did II no.
body knows. There was only the
House, and two hundred year from
Mary's mother The stepmother was
five years dying, and Mary somehow
saved enough to bury her. But the
strain told on her; she was faded and
scrawny--looked nearer so than 80.
We were just OF an age, and I. too,
had been taking care of people In
stead OF looking out for myself. They
were my own people-brothers sis.
tiers, and grandmother. Granny wllled
the farm 20 the other boys, and what
money she had To the glrls-'bocausc
my dear grandson William Is 30 we'll
able to take care of himself The
others thought the will very Just
Maybe I'd looked for something little
different Anyway. married Mary,
almost out OF hand. And the very
next week came rheumatic fever-tc
leave me as you see me "
"And Nary" Drenton breathed
rather than spoke.
Greer smiled wanly, yet with an
plain--then nor ever. / had q trifle
of money saved--enough to buy this
place. Her old home had gone to pay
some of her fathers debts as soon a.
It was free of the dover right
There's a bit Of ground behind--it's
been our salvation. She plants things
there, and kepes me out in the sun
shine while she is tending them"
you look 10 her for-everything?'
Drenton asked.
Greer smiled again. There's never
any question of looking to between
us" he said. AT frst-for whole
month"; prayed TO die. Say, rather
fought to die-the idea OF man liv
ing on and on, clog and burden tc
the woman he had married."
II understand" Drenton inter
rupted. death, whatever may come
after must be Joy beside that"
Mary must talk to you-why. yon
der she comes!" Greer said, his fac,
lighting wildly. A tallish woman
sunburned and slightly stopped, hur
ried along the path.
Drenton rose, holding out his hant
TO her; he dared not raise his eyes Il
her face, they were so very dim. II
only you'll let me stay awhile" h,
said plaintively. '1'll work In the gar
den and look after the chicks, ant
even pull donkey-cart II nothin,