Charlevoix county herald., 1908-04-11


cline, but enough to make the house
appear to meet chance Corners in an
attitude at once discreet and conf
Dental. The hollyhocks arrow along
the edge of the porch added 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 blaze Of midsummer
sunshine, was to resolve that he would
live with them for the next fortnight
at least. He turned in through the
sagging green gate with the free step
of assured welcome. 1t did not in
the least astonish him to have some
one say from out the hollyhock am
bush: Come in. though l don't be.
Iieve you can have any business
here"
You are mistaken" Drenton said,
smiling family. Settling oneself is
always a fearful business. You'll help
me? Oh, l know you don't take board
ers-there is no look of boarders. not
the least-but you'll let me stay?"
Il can't tell until Mary sees you.
She's away-won't be back for an
hour" the voice replied. 1t was a
l. ;ol. II 4
yet not unpleasant Peering within
the ieafy shade Drenton saw q wheel
chair heaped with pillows among
which there sat a drawn figure, pitt
fully distorted. But the mans face
was fresh-colored almost handsome,
and q little tanned. He held out
knotted hand to Drenton, as he added:
II sha'n't say word. She'd let you
stay if she thought | wanted you even
,tthe least bit. l should like to have
you-you look new and strange.
Strangers are precious when you've
been fast in one spot for II years"
Denton shivered, yet shook the
crippled hand warmly and sat down
facing the wheel-char Il sha'n't
make trouble for-Mary." he said,
smiling, yet gulping little over the
name. Tell me about her-and
yourself-before she comes. Then |
shall know better if l ought to ask
shelter here. l want to stay badly,
and yet"
There is little to tell-now. Once
l thought there was great DEAL"
the man, William Greer. said, sigh
ing family. That was before l UNI
derstood-when l was ready. almost,
to curse God and die. You see, / mar
ried Mary partly because l was so
sorry for her. She had had hard lines,
taking care of two on an income not
half big enough for one. 1t was her
stepmother she took care Of, and tho
woman hadn't been overly kind. But
she had nobody else, so when the hus-
band died, just after she fell i'll, Mary
stayed by her as though it were q
thing of course. How she did it no.
body knows. There was only the
house, and two hundred year from
Marys 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 30.
We were just Of an age, and /, too,
had been taking care of people in
stead of looking out for myself They
were my own people-brothers, sis
ters, and grandmother. Granny willed
the farm to the other boys, and what
money she had to the girls-'because
my dear grandson William is so we'll
able to take care OF himself The
others thought the will very just
Maybe I'd looked for something a little
different. Anyway. l married Mary,
almost out on hand. And the very
next week came rheumatic fever-to
leave me as you see me- f."
And Mary?" Drenton breathed
rather than spoke.
Greer smiled wanly, yet with an
illumined look. Mary didn't com
plain-then nor ever. / had a trifle
of money saved-enough to buy this
place. Her old home had gone to pay
some of her fathers debts as soon az
it was free Of the dover right
There's a bit of ground behind-its
been our salvation. She plants things
there, and kepes me out in the sun
shine while she is tending them"
You look TO her for-everything?"
Drenton asked.
Greer smiled again. There's never
any question of looking to between
u.s." he said. AT first-for a whole
month"; prayed to die. Say, rather,
fought to die-the idea of q man liv.
ing on and on, a clog and burden to
the woman he had married."
'I 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 face
lighting wildly. A tallish woman.
sunburned and slightly stopped, hur.