Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-04-15


the edge of the porch added n sense
OF seclusion. They were tall and
sash and branchy enough to screen
tie whole porch space throughout the
pleasant weather. People wondered
not 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
saSging 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 | don't be-
lieve 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-there is no look of boarders. rot
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 q
mans voice, high-pitched and weak
yet not unpleasant. Peering within
the leafy shade Drenton saw a wheel
chair heared with pillows. among
which there sat drawn figure. pitt.
Eully distorted But the mans face
Ia.
and little tanned He held out
Snotted hand to Drenton, as he added:
shan't say word. Shed let you
stay if she thought l wanted you even
The least bit. l should like to have
Fou-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 shan't
make trouble for-Mary." he said.
smiling, yet gulping a little over the
name. Tell me about her-aad
ycurself-before she comes. Then
shall know better if l ought to ask
shelter here. / want to stay badly,
and yet"
There is little to tell-now. Once
thought there was a great deal"
Ghe man, William Greer. said sigh
ing family. That was before I IN
derstood-when / was ready. almost.
TO curse God and die. You see. | mar
ried Mary partly because | 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
9Sea3ed by her as though it were
Thing Of course How she did Il M.
DOGGY knows. There was only the
house. and two hundred year from
Mays mother. The steDmother was
Nve years dying, and Mary somehow
saved enough to bury her. But the
strain told on her; she was faded and
sscrawny nearer 80 than 30
Ne were just OF an age. and too
n1d been taking care of people in
stead Of looking out for myself. They
were my own people-brothers sis
te9s, and grandmother. Granny wiled
the farm to the other boys, and what
money she had to the girls-'becausp
my dear grandson William is so we'll
able 10 take care Of himself The
others thought the will very inst
Maybe looked for something little
different. anyway, ] married Mary.
almost out of hand. And the very
next week came rheumatic fever-to
eeave me as you sec me-"
And Nary" Drenton brca,hed
rather than spoke
Greer smiled wanly. yet with an
Biumined look Mary didn't com
piain-then nor ever. had n trfqs
OF money saved-enough TO buy thi-
place. Her old home had gone TO nav
some Of her fathers debts as soon a.
IL was free OF the dover right
There's a bit OF ground bchind-it's
been our salvation. She plants things
There. and kepes me ont i'm the SIN
shine while she is tending them"
You look TO her for-everytbinpa
DTenton asked
Greer smiled again There's never
any question Of looking TO between
us" he said. at frst-for a whole
MONTH prayed TO die. Say. rather
J fought TO dic-thc idea Of Il man ljy.
ing on and on, a clog and burden n
rhe woman he had married"
Il understand" Dronton ,nto~
rupted Death whatever may come
after, must be joy beside that
Mary must talk to you-whv voo.
der she comes," Greer said. his face
lighting wildly. a taush woman
sunburned and slightly stopped bur.
Tied along the path
Drenton rose. holding ont his hand
~ her; he dared not raise his eyes m
her face. they were so very dim ~
sniy you1l let me stay awhile" no
said plaintively, "I'H work I'm the car.
den and look after the chicks ard
even pull a donkey-cart II nothing
soiae will eerve "