The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-01-14
BY FRANK II. SWEET.

Every few minutes he glanced i'm
patiently toward the door OF the long
back kitchen.
At last be muttered something under
his breath and slid heavily from the
wall. At the same moment he saw
boy approaching.
Does Mrs. Carter live herey' the
boy asked briskly as he paused in
front Of the man.
she's stayiD' here just now" was
the answer. Il guess you'll find Der
In the house"
The boy walked on past the barnyard
and up the clam shelled lined path to
the front door Of the old farmhouse.
as Mrs. Carter ip?" be asked Of the
little old woman who opened the door.
Round in the kitchen. eatin her
dinner" was the mumbling answer.
Men folks eat fust here. Who be ye?"
But the boy had already left the
step and was on his way round TO the
kitchen
The door was partly open, and he
could see long table, around which
were seated a dozen or more old wo-
men and children. He knocked gently
and repeated his question.
sweet faced old woman rose and
came 10 the door.
81 am Mrs. Carter" she said pleas
antly. What do you wish?''
But the boy could not answer
He felt all those curious eyes upon
him. and there was a lump in his
throat and terror Of something he
could not understand.
IL wish to see you" he STAN
mered at length.
Very well. Suppose we 60 into the
sitting room. We can talk better
there"
He followed her through the long
kitchen into big square room that
was scantily furnished. The old WON
an motioned him TO a chair by the
window where the light rested full
upon his face.
Now" she began, then stopped, and
a strange look came into her eyes.
who are you?" she asked in
troubled voice. Il am getting old and
do not remember as ] used to. But !
have seen you somewhere
he rose from the chair.
mo, you have never seen me before"
be replied. but folks used TO say that
i looked like father. i am John Car
ter Why don't you welcome me.
grandmother
She trembed and gazed at him ca
gerly.
Johns boy-come home she said |
vaguely. Then a flush came into her /
faded cheeks and a glad light into her |
eyes. And has-has John come" she .
asked
My father died last fail" The boys
voice was very calm. but in il was
depth Of pain which be strove vainly
to conceal. His last wish was for
me 10 come home He said there had
been some misunderstanding between
him and Uncle Richard. but that his
death would make il all right and that
/ would be welcome. IS Uncle Richard
here"
Richard died many years ago. He
told NE the whole story and wanted
Johns forgiveness. Poor Richard! Poor
John"
In the dim old eyes was a freshen-
ing Of The old pain. and the boy saw
1t. and his own face grew wistful and
sympathetic.
Dear grandmother" he said softly.
The old woman smiled and tried to
rouse herself
You and ] are all there IS left" she
said We will not speak Of the quar-
rel any more They have made it up
before this Then she took his strong
young hand between Der TWO wrin-
zled ones and srroked il tenderly
How did you ind me, Jacky;" she
asked, using The pet name she had
given his father many years before.
"A man on the road told me that you
ived IL the biz house by the pond IL
vas easy to find"
And did you come all the way from
Mexico alone"
Yes; am used 10 travelling | did
lot mind II much. except for its being
onely. ] missed father. We've were
Utmost always together"
The brave eyes held back their tears,
Jut she could feel his hand tremble
n her grasp.
A cheap clock on the shelf began to
trike shrilly. but after two or three
pasmodlc efforts il began 70 quaver
nd finally stopped altogether. {
The old woman smiled. {
at is old and decrepit. just like s
else about the place" she 7
embarked sadly.
John looked at her inquiringly 2
what does IL all mean?' he asked 8
Things do not seem as-as ! expected r
'atber told me about Maplewood and I
be long avenue and fine old trees. I
,oked for them when ! was coming
y the lane and thought maybe they 4
ad been cut down. ] fancied should
now the place. but it all seems so 4
TRANCE" Then something in her face I
lRde him ask suddenly, "Is Il Maple. a