The Dolores star., 1909-11-19

floor and began whiting 1t as II un-
conscious of the shrewd look bent
upon him from the other side of the
stove.
The figure that stood there was a
curious one. A rough gray beard and
a shock Of gray hair rose above the
blue smock that reached to the tops
OF heavy cowhide boots. Short,
square, solid. his feet well apart, he
formed a striking contrast to the
younger man, who sat leaning heavily
forward. one elbow resting negligently
on his knee. whiting the soft pine
splinter.
Seth shook his head as he watched
the listless figure. He seated himself
by the western window and took up a
book that was lying. face down. on
the broad sill. How are you feeling,
Dick?" he asked abruptly.
"All right" was the answer 81
lence fell on the room. The old man
ran his eye rapidly down the page.
found the place where he had left Oh.
settled himself comfortably in his
chair. and was lost in the book. The
fire blazed and cracked and shons
through the chinks Of the warped
stove.
Richard watched the blaze and
waited. The silence was broken by
an inarticulate sound from the win
dow. 1t might be assent or It might
be the end of a train of thought.
What is it," asked Richard.
The old man looked up absently.
"Oh-still there. Dick? Just listen to
this" He began to read from the
brown book in his hand.
"Oh. bother," said Richard impa-
tiently. Translate 1t, won't you.
Seth? What is 1t. anyway? can't
understand Greek"
The old man waited a moment as II
in a clear. full voice that contrasted
oddly with his uncouth appearance:
III thou art panied by any external
thing. 1t is not this thing that disturbs
thee, but thy own judgment about 1t:
and 1t is in thy power to wipe out this
Judgment now. But IL anything in thy
own disposition gives thee pain. who
hinders thee from correcting thy opinionf
And even II thou art pained because thou
dft uOt uOiuB rOHlc tfiluB WHICH
seems to thee to be right, why dost thou
not rather act than complain? But some
insuperable obstacle Is in the way? Do
not be grieved then. for the cause OF II
not being done depends not on thee.
. Therefore the mind which is free from
passions Ia a citadel. for man has moth
ing more secure to which he can fly for
refuge. and for the future inexpusnable.
He then who has not seen this is ig-
norant man: but he who has seen 1t and
does not fly to this refuge is unhappy
That's all bosh!" said Richard r.
ritably. The fellow that wrote 1t
never had anything worse to bear
than the toothache."
He stopped minute and then be-
gan again abruptly. the words tum-
bling out. What can I do?-T can't
stand it, thought I'd stay home and
fight 1t out. But can't. It's killing
me-but don't want to go away" he
added.
He had sunk again into the listless
attitude. TT isn't worth while
nothing Ia worth while"
His companion said nothing. He
was watching the listless figure keen
| ly, as a physician might watch a rest
| less patient. Have you thought of
killing yourself?" he said at last.
The young man started and flushed
| "Yes''-under his breath and half
shamed-"but somehow l don't dare
| But can't bear to live either" he
| went on. Perhaps II could get
away from folks the way you have, I
could stand it."
The other looked up quickly. He
waited minute. Then he spoke with
slow emphasis. You're not going to
spoil your life. I've spoiled mine
That's enough"
"It isn't spoiled. You are con-
tented. You believe all that stuff
about philosophy and your mind being
an impresnable citadel. Perhaps
should, too. after awhile
Resignation isn't living" said the
old man bitterly. Il had power. / tell
| you" He was sitting erect and his
| eyes flashed. II had mind, and be-
cause woman Tilted me l threw it
away. buried myself Don't do it,
Dick" his voice had dropped, mo
| woman is worth 1t. Be man. Show
that you are made Of better stun" I"
Again his voice rang out as II he were
| addressing . jury. He was transfg-
ured
Richard. watching. understood for
the first time what his grandfather.
Geoffrey Crane. had meant when he
| used to speak of Seth Kinney's power
and of his spoiled life.
In fash the young man. looking
into the future, saw himself in the