The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-07-08
CHAPTER XL.

disaster at Beersheba being as yet only
on the way Thomas Jefferson was
rather glad Of It; especially glad thut
there was no one from Woodlawn-this
was the name of the new home-to
recognize him and ask dlscomforting
questions But Ardea was expected,
and the Dabney carriage, with old
Sclpio on the box, was drawn up be-
side the platform. Tom put Ardea into
the carriage and was giving her hand
luggage to Scipio when she called to
him.
isn't there any one here to meet
you, Tom?"
"They don't know I'm coming" he
explained. Whereupon she quickly
made room for him. holding the door
open. But he hung back.
II reckon I'd better ride on the box
with Unc' Sciplo," he suggested.
II am sure l don't know why you
should" she objected.
He told her straight; or at least gave
her his own view of II.
by tomorrow morning everybody
in Gordonia and Paradise Valley viii
know that I'm home in disgrace. 1t
won't hurt Unc Sciplo any If I'm seen
riding with him"
It was the first time that he had
been given to see the Dabney imperi-
BUSINESS shining star-lilke in Miss Ar
dea's slate-blue eyes.
II wish you to get your hang-bas
and ride in here with me-" she said,
with the air of one whose wish was
law But when he was sitting opposite
ana the carriage door was shut, she
smiled companionably across at him
and added: You foolish boy!"
When he reached the house there
was an ominous air Of quiet about it,
and a horse and buggy, with black
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door. Toms heart came into his
mouth. The turnout was Doctor Will |
iams
who's sick?" he asked Of the boy |
who was holding the doctors horse, |
and his tongue was thick with name
less fear.
The black boy did not know; and |
Tom crept up the steps and let himself |
in as one enters a house of mourning, |
breaking down completely when he
saw his father sitting bowed on the
hall seat.
you, Buddy?-Tm mighty glad"
said the man; and when he held out
his arms the boy flung himself on his
knees beside the seat and buried his
face in the cushions.
rs she-is she going to die?" he
asked, when the dreadful words could
be found and spoken.
Were hoping for the best, Buddy,
son. It's some sort Of stroke, the
doctor says; it took her yesterday
morning, and she hasn't been herself
since Did somebody telegraph to
you?"
Tom rocked his head on the cush-
ion. How could he add to the black
ness of darkness by telling his miser-
able story of disgrace? Yet it had to
be DONE and surely no hapless peni-
tent in the confessional ever emptied
his soul with more heartfelt contrition
or more bitter remorse.
Caleb Gordon listened, with what IN
ward condemnings one could only guess
from his silence 1t was terrible! If
his father would strike him, curse him,
drive him out of the house, it would
be easier to bear than the sitting 81
lence. But when the words came final
Iy they were as balm poured into an
angry wound.
There, there, Buddy; don't take on
so. You're might nigh man. now,
and the suns still risin and settin' ,
lust the same as it did before you trip
ped up and fell down. And it'll go on !
,isin' and settin', too, long after you ;
and me and all of us have quit goin'
% bed and gettn' up by it. II it wasn't ,
or your poor NANNY" :
That's it-thats just it," groaned n
rom. 1T would kill her. even If she I
vas we'll"
New mind; you're here now, and I n
eckon that's the main thing. If she n
,ets up again, of course she'll have y
O know; but we won't cross that
,rdge till we come to it. And Buddy, g
on, whatever happens, your old pappy 0
int goin' to believe that you'll be the tC
rst Gordon to die in the gutter You've e
ot better blood in you than what that
als for" "
Tom felt the tightening Of his bur A
en- to some extent; but beyond was
he alternative Of suffering, or causing Z
uffering He had never realized un- h
Il now how much he loved his moth L
r; how large a place she had filled in n
is life, and what a vast void there W
,ould be when she was gone. He was Ii
ct too young and too self -centered to te
now that this is the mother cross: to OF
We for love and to be crowned and en-
1roned oftenest in memory. al
The fifth day after his home coming
as Christmas Eve Late in the after ii
oon, when the doctor had made his d.
econd visit and had gone away, leav- m
lg no word of encouragement for the
atchers, Tom left the house and took &c
le path that led up through the young
rchard to the foot of Lebanon. to
He was deep within the winter-strip-
ed forest on the mountain side, plung- co
lg upward through the beds Of dry in
aves in the little hollows, when he
et Ardea. She was coming down
ith her arms full of holly, and for the or
oment he forgot his troubles in the bU
cen pleasure of looking at her. None E'
e less, his greeting was brotherly
proof tn
I'D like to know what you're think ia
g Of, tramping around on the noun
in alone" he said, frowning at her. ed
Il have been thinking of you, most at
the time, and wishing you could be
ith me-" she answered, so artlessly pr
to mollify him instantly. rs your sh
other any better this afternoon?" of
"She is just the same; lying there so wi
III that you have to look close to see
neither she is breathing. The doctor sci
VS. that If there isn't change pretty az
on, she'll die" VIII
20 Toni" ley
He looked up at her with the old