Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-06-22
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meet the diSgraced one, news or tne
disaster at Beersheba being as yet only
on the way. Thomas Jefferson was
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 discomforting
Z questions. But Ardea was expected.
and the Dabney carriage. with Old
Scipio 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. TOMB"
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' Scipio," he suggested.
II am sure don't know why you
should" she objected
He told her straight; or at least gave
! her his own view Of 1t.
.By Tomorrow morning everybody
in Gordonia and Paradise Valley Will
know that I'm home in disgrace. 1t
won't hurt inc Scipio any II I'm seen
riding with him."
II was the first time that he had
been given to see the Dabney impert-
ousness shining star-llke in Miss Ar
ea'sislate-blue eyes.
Y wish you to get your hang bag
and ride in here with me-. she said,
with the air of one whose wish was
3 law. But when he was sitting opposite
and the carriage door was shut, she
smiled companionably across at him
and added: You foolish boy!"
When he reached the house there
4 was an ominous air Of quiet about It.
and horse and buggy, with a black
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door, TOMS heart came into his
Z 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 nance
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
you, Buddy?-I'm mighty glad
said the man; and when he held out
Y his arms the boy flung himself on his
knees beside the seat and buried his
face in the cushions.
SIS 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
a hor uoctQrHp
( morning. and she hasn't been herself
since. Did somebody telegraph to
you e Z
Tom rocked his head ON the cushr
{ 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 emptted
his soul with more heartfelt contrition
or more bitter sremorse. n
Caleb Gordon listened. with what In
ward condemnings one could only guess
from his silence. It was terrible! If
his father would strike him. curse him,
drive him out of the house, 1t would
be easier to bear than the sitting 81
lence. But when the words came final
ly they were as balm poured into an
angry wound.
There. there. Buddy; don't take on
30. You're might nigh man. now.
and the suns still risln' and settin'
Just the same as 1t did before you trip
ped up and fell down. And it'll go on
risins and settin', too. long after you
and. me and all OF US have quit goin'
to bed and gettin' up by 1t. II 1t wasn't
g. for YOUR moor rnammy---" .4se .1.r
4 That's it-that's just it." groaned
Y Tom. 1T would kill her, even If she
Is was WELL
New mind; you're here now, and I
4 reckon that's the main thing. II she
gets up again, of course she'll have
I 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 I'M
til now how much he loved his moth
err; how large place she had filled in
his life. and what vast void there
would be when she was gone. He was
yet too young and too self-centered to
know that this is the mother cross: to
live for love and to be crowned and en-
throned oftenest In memory.
The fifth day after his home coming
was Christmas Eve. Late in the after
noon, when the doctor had made his
second visit and had gone away, leay-
ing no word of encouragement for the
watchers Tom left the house and tool,
the path that led up through the young
orchard to the foot of Lebanon.
He was deep within the winter-strlp-
ped forest on the mountain side, plung-
ing upward through the beds of dry
leaves in the little hollows, when he
met Ardea. She was coming down
with her arms full of holly, and for the
moment he forgot his troubles in the
keen pleasure of looking at her. None
the less, his greeting was brotherly
reproof.
s I'D like to know what you're think.
ing of. tramping around on the noun.
tain alone" he said. frowning at her.
Il have been thinking of you, rAos
OF the time, and wishing you could b,
with me-" she answered, so artlessl,
as to mollify him instantly. 'Is YOU
mother any better this afternoon7"
she is just the same; lying there 5,
still that you have to look close to Sc,
whether she il breathing. The docto
says that II there isn't change prett.
soon, she'll die" II
20 Toni"
He looked up at her with the oil,
boyish frown pulling his eyebrows to
gether.
She's been good to God all her life
what do you reckon He's letting her di,
this way for?''
It was terrible question, made NOR,
J terrible by the savage hardihood tina
lay behind 1t. Ardea could not reaso,
with him; and she felt intultively tina
at this crisis only reason would appea
4 to him. Yet she could not turn hin
away mpty-handed in his hour O.
need.
How can we tell?" she said. ant
8 there were tears in her voice. I'VE onl.
know that He does everything for thu
best"
Il wish you'd ask Him to let m,
q ,,nnthor 1,a uolN hrn1op1u asYsx,.