The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-16
CHAPTER XII,

rather glad of it; especially glad that
there was no one from Woodlawn-this
was the name of the new home-to
recognize him and ask discomfortlng
questions But Ardea was expected,
and the Dabney carriage, with OH
Scipio on the box, was drawn up be-
side the platform. Tom put Ardea into
the carriage and was giving her mana
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" ne
explained. Whereupon she quickly
made room for him, holding the door
open But he hung back.
Il reckon I'd better ride on the box
with Unc' Scipio," he suggested.
st am sure / don't know why you
should" she objected.
He told her straight; or at least gave
her his own view of it.
"By tomorrow morning everybody
fin Gordonia and Paradise Valley Will
know that I'm home in disgrace 1t
won't hurt Unc' Scipio any If I'm seen
riding with him"
It was the first time that he hal
been given to see the Dabney imperi-
BUSINESS shining star-like in Miss Ar
IDEAS slate-blue eyes.
81 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
and the carriage door was shut, she
smiled companionably across at MIN
and added: You foolish boy!"
When he reached the mouse there
was an ominous air of quiet about IL,
and a horse and buggy, with plach
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door. Toms heart came into his
mouth The turnout was Doctor Will
Jams
.sWho'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 house OF mourning
breaking down completely when he
saw his father sitting bowed on the
hall seat.
NYou, Buddy Pm 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.
.Is 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
your"
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 1t had 20
be DONE and surely no hapless penl-
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 Ii
his father would strike him, curse him,
drive him out of the house, it would
he easier to bear than the sitting 81
1ence But when the words came final
Nv they were as balm poured into an
angry wound
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
risin' and settin', too, long after You
and me and all of US have quit goin'
to bed and gettin' up by it. If it wasn't
for your poor NANNY
That's it-that's just it, groaned
1T L. 49,
was well"
New mind; you're here now, and ]
reckon that's the main thing. If she
gets up again, of course she'll have
to know; but we won't cross that
bridge till we come to it. And Buddy
son, whatever happens, your old pappy
amt goin' to believe that you'll be the
first Gordon to die in the gutter. You've
got better blood in you than what that
calls for
Tom felt the tightening OF his bur-
den to some extent; but beyond was
the alternative OF suffering, or causing
suffering. He had never realized un-
til now how much he loved his moth
er; how large a place she had filled ii
his life, and what vast void there
would be when she was gone. He wa.
l1-CGn1eTe0
know that this is the mother-cross. r.
live for love and to be crowned and en-.
throned oftenest in memory.
The fifth day after his home -cornins
was Christmas Eve. Late in the after.
noon, when the doctor had made hi,
second visit and had gone away. leav.
ing no word of encouragement for tn,
watchers. Tom left the house and tool
the path that led up through the youn,
orchard to the foot of Lebanon
He was deep within the winter-strip
ped forest on the mountain side, plung
ing upward through the beds of dr.,
leaves in the little hollows. when h
met Ardea. She was coming dow
with her arms full OF holly. and for tn
moment he forgot his troubles in tn
Keen pleasure of looking at her. Non
the less. his greeting was brotherl
reproof.
"a like to know what you're think
ne OF tramping around on the noun
IAN 9. alone" he said. frowning at her.
nave been thinking OF you. nos
2 me time. and Wishing You could b