Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-07-01
Copyright, by Daily story Pub. Co

4
John! John Shafer."
The boy had changed shut the gat
aid was turning into the narrow high
way when he heard the woman cal
| ing him. He waited Presently sh
reached the fence opposite, breathing
| heavily.
She's gone" he said. briefly. Hi
voice was blunt and hoarse. He di,
not look at her.
Well, Welt" said Mrs. Martin. !
sudden solemnity fastened upon he
little figure. Her eyes sought tn,
house behind him. 1t was a squar,
house, cut out black and sharl
against the flare of orange in the west
The few apple trees struggling around
it crooked forward keenly. bough b,
Dough, In the clear evening light
I'm going down to see abou
things"
The woman opened her gate anC
pushed across to where he stood. ''DiC
they-did they make up?" she said
almost in a whisper.
Yes"
Well, well. your mothers gone.
she said I'm sorry; I'm sorry. John.
The words sounded high and broken
IL the wind that was pouring down
the highway.
II quavered the boy His face
worked. For moment he looked like
a little, thin, distressed child. The
next he had pushed past her and with
hard strides was going down the gray
road.
Mrs. Martin reached her gate.
Adam, ADAM" she called.
The kitchen window went UP with
a creaking noise.
what you want, Clarissy?"
She loked up breathlessly at the ell.
DERBY face bent towards her.
She's gone, Adam. Poor Henrietty
Shafer's gone at last"
Il thought it likely" His slow
glance settled upon her where she
stood on the edge of the yard in the
wind and the dusk. you better come
IN out of the cold"
i amt coming in. I'm going over
and see if they want me. When il
comes time to eat, you eat"
You got anything else TO tell me ?"
She drew nearer the window a
small, quick, vivid figure. with gray
hair and wide, bright eyes. Adam.
her and Andy made up before she
died.
The man leaned farther out into the
paling light That so, Clarissy?"
She was already half way down the
pain before she answered him. Yes.
John told me" she called back across
the wind.
Adam drew his head in and pulled
down the sash.
An hour passed. 1t was dark in
the kitchen except for a small half
circle OF delicate, waving light that
the fre cast upon the walls and cell.
ing In this circle sat Adam smok.
ing his pipe. All at once the door
few open.
Mr.. Martin"
Adam stumbled to his feet "Why
John, John Shafer!"
- 'Nh "ehI smut with click.
mere was sudden silence in the
room.
Wait-wait. I'll get the lamp"
No-no." The boy pushed grop.
Ing forward with quick. labored pant.
lngs for breath. his face showing
"nlte IN the pale gloom Mr.. Martin
What is it, john"
What made my father treat INV
mother the way he dido"
The very suddenness of the ones.
lion gave it at the moment the sim.
pllcity OF a primal one. Adam re.
sponded at once:
Il don't know, John"
My Cod" The boys slim form
'hook ike a candle flame in a high
wind. His words came in hard We.
cement gasps. Il think III die if I !
ion't know WHY"
Adam put out a horny hand "Con,e
md sit down and rest awhile-you1I
eel better"
III make him tell me! IN make
iim!' gasped the boy.
Adam stood dumb.
He never gave her a good word
,lr. Martin
Il guess | wouldn't rake I'M them
I'D times, John"
The lad stared at Adam with ewes
hat were like those of a stricken ami
nal. All at once his strange passion
eemed to desert him. He turned and
roped with tense hands towards the
DOR. There he stopped. The throb
4 silence cut into the air like .
nife. "You're-you're all coming
int you?" he asked, blindly
Yes, John" answered Adam
The latch clicked again. A bit y,
ne wild, dark country, without showing
4 the doorway for a moment and was
one.
MY Lord said Adam Martin. He
TODD in the middle of the floor. The
lrge, loose figure of Andrew Shafer
eavy of brow but thin and sensitive
lip, shaped itself out of the djmness
efore him. The eyes wore the deem.
emote, smoldering expression com.
ion TO them, the look of a passionate
ian grown careful and patient The
aaro Ucpf nv IfIa oraOlvU -, -,