The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-23
CHAPTER XXXII.
PREPARING THE WAY.

I'M gazed down at the face Of the
sleeping child in his arms, and
there was a bit o. humcr in his
Were apparently not wanted, little
one" ne said.
But he could not understand the attl-
tude Of the old man after the words of
Dr. Jordan concerning the~faithfulness
to Grace's family OF the people living on
his lone farm Remembering those
words, Alton had chosen the means OF
introduction which he supposed would
be most likely TO insure him a welcome,
He had no intention, however, of re-
naming out there in the cool night air
any great length Of time, and so began
again humping on the door for ad-
mittance.
Como. or I'll break this thing down,
he called, losing patience at last
The key was once more turned in the
lock and there appeared a small crack
between the door and the easement
Come, let me in, said Jim, inserting
his foot in the crevice.
A shrin voice answered him
Miss Grace's husband, Miss Grace's
husband" 1t repeated. Miss Grace's
husband has bin dead this six months
past"
In spite of the feav expressed IN the
words. Jim could not restrain his laugh.
And you took me for his ghost?" he
| cried oh Hank Jenkins, I'm her new
husband, Just married to her today, and
/ Dr. Jordan sent me to you with a note.
There was no delay in opening now.
nor was there any lack of cordiality in
the welcome.
II beg yer perdon. sir. I didn't
/ know" came the voice, and the old
man was now bent quite double in his
bow.
That's all right, Hank-yOu are Hank
aren't your
Yes. sir, yes. sir. An Miss Grace
! is she better. sir; an hev they found
the body o her baby yet. SIRE
Miss Grace is getting on all right
7ank-and the baby hasn't been found
But" ana Jim produced DR.. Jordan
| note. i am in hurry, Hank, so read
this and listen TO me-
yes, sir, yes. SIR squeaked the old
| man, hurrying as fast as he was able
/ TO get a light and find the sPectacIes 50
necessary to his eyesight, yen excuse
me, sir. fer bein' scairt. but We see we
don't see nobody here only once in el
I
o night-must be sTter 10 o'clOck-an
sayin ye WIZ MI Gordon
II didn't
II mean Miss Grace's husband"
''All right, Hank, read the note
! II took the old man about i've min
utes to decipher the doctors message
and when at last he had finished, the
look he cast on the child in Jims arms
was laughable.
You'll do it-you'H take care OF tn,
little fellow for while?" asked Jim.
why" and the tone was wondering
| surprised that he should question
| why DR.. Jordan SAYS as how cts fu
Hiss Grace course HANK II do ct. Tn
OF woman'H hev er lot O FUN"
Then, Hank, replied Jim, handing
the horses rein 10 the old man, ant
placing the unconscious child on a TOugl
| bench within the house, I'm get on
I've got quite a distance TO go yet, 20
won't We hey er dish o>tea er sompl
eNo, Hank, and remember, not a wOr
= 30 anyone, and keep the child inside IN
house for a few DAYS, if you can-W
don't want him seen
Lord bless We chuckled the old mar
they aIn't nobody bout here ever-h
/ won't be seed.
And be good to him, Hank"
Tibet We viii good-by, sir, an
Hank Jenkins stood in the open doc
/ watching his new lord ride away int
inns horse was pretty we'll used vi
but after a long drink at roadsid
trough, the little animal seemed 10 gal
renewed strength. She knew that SIN
was on her return journey
Ii was not straight ia the direction O
z Chanton that Jim rode now. And h
: did not dare travel as fast as formerly
4 / fearing the strength of the anima
. might not hold out.
But in the course of an hour and
: half, the maple grove came dtmly int
view. and Alton was soon near enoug
TO discern the vague outline Of tn
canva s-coVeTed wa gOn-
Boldly he rode up 10 it now, and tn
sight which met his eyes could we
/ have been pictured in the pages q
/ some old romance
{ The apparently ever-burning fire Wa
| stiU aglOw, and by It, arms outstretch