The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-08-03
trim. In the background stood the

old mans hands
I'VE were very sorry to hear you
were i'll, grandfather" he said. I'VE
did not know 1t until yesterday. You
are better, hope"
Yes, yes" replied the old man fee
bly,, much better. Henry knows.
Ask Henry"
This is my wife, grandfather. Her
name is Helen"
The young woman came a llttle
nearer, gentle smile upon her bright
face.
Your wife, eh? A child wife,
muttered the old man. well, what
does she want?'
"She wants nothing, grandfather.
We are here only to ask after your
health and to offer 10 do what we can
to make you comfortable
Il am comfortable" the cid man
feebly responded. Henry takes good
care of me. | can't do without Henry.
We are going away together very
soon."
Going away?" the young man
echoed
Henry stepped forward and shook
his head warningly at the old man.
He doesn't mean that" he said.
He isn't fit to travel, as you see"
Henry knows murmured the old
man, but his look was a cunning one.
Come, come he added, what is it
you want?'
The young mans face flushed.
Nothing, grandfather, nothing. II
you say there is nothing we can do
for you we will co.
There is nothing. Henry VIII tell.
you there is nothing
The young woman came forward
and gently pressed one of the wrin-
kled hands.
"Goodby, sir she softly said. i
hope you will soon be much better
and | am sorry you will not let us
show how wiling we are to be help
full, May we come again?"
The old man looked at the bright
face. Then he turned to his son.
"May they come again, Henry?'
The guardian of helpless senility
shook his head
"What is the use?' he asked. Call
ers irritate you There is nothing you
want. You are comfortable and con-
tented"
"Yes, yes," whispered the old man.
"Very comfortable and quite con-
tented. You hear what Henry says?
The young man touched the sick
mans hand.
"Good-by. grandfather" he said
Come, Helen"
The two callers passed from the
room. the watchful Henry following
them down the stair.
When he came back the Old man
was muttering to himself.
"Well. they're gone and they won't
come hack" said the dutiful one.
Good" murmured the old man.
"Jt's better so. | seemed to see my son
| Jim smiling at me when that poy
| talked And after you went out
thought saw Jim standing at the
/ door there looking at me with pity
in his eyes. / didn't treat Jim right.
might have helped him when ne
most needed it. But I'm hard man.
! I'm an old sinner. And you are
hypocrite. Henry-a fawning hypo-
/ critic"
The Younger man did not vince.
He looked at the old man impassive-
ly.
do YOU want anything?" he asked
mo, Henry. Nothing. Only
want you. Come here, Henry Bend
lower. | want yol to go with me on
that long journey. I'm afraid TO go
alone Are you ready?'
Henry drew back.
"See here" he said, abruptly, "you
really mustn't talk any more of thai
nonsense. You will go when your
time comes. | will go when my time
comes. Not before"
The old mans eyeids quivered.
"The time is coming soon," he muir
INJURED; very soon. For both of us.
His eyelids closed. For both OF us
very soon.'
He was quiet for some time. Ther
he looked up. When he spoke hf
tone seemed to have grown stronger.
"See here, Henry?" he said 81 hav'
a little surprise for you. You have
wondered where | hid the VIII. w
seen you looking for it. Yes, yes IL!
with the Santuzzi silver mining stocl
and the government bonds-only
little package, but rich. | hid them
Henry, because | wanted TO nav
something that was still under m!
own control"
The younger mans face changed
little.
Where are these papers?"
There was cunning in the old man
look.
when you were out, Henry,
found them and put them Ia bo
in the vault and set the time Gocl
and closed the door"
"ynu set the time clock?