The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-08-03


Getting anxious about his grand
fathers will, no doubt, How old is
Jim's boy? I've forgotten
Twenty y-seven."
Married."
yes"
Il remember now. | sent him word
lie mustn't marry without my con-
sent Yes, yes. | knew it would an
noy him. Is he doing well?"
He's secretary of a small manu-
featuring plant in Lakewood. Hinck-
ley said he looked fairly prosperous"
Needs capital, no doubt" cackled
the old man, 'and expects to get 1t
from the old mans estate. But well
fool him, won't we, Henry?"
He chuckled and gasped and had to
be lifted up and his pillow re-adjust-
ed.
Don't do that the younger man
growled. You've got no breath to
spare. Listen. hinckley told me some
thing else The boy and his wife are
coming here to see you-this after
noon.
The old man clutched his sons arm.
DO we want TO see them, Henry?
Il don't think it will do any harm
1t will show them you are well cared
for But you must be careful how
you talk. | don't want the boy to
think you are non compos.'
But | am, Henry; you know |
am"
We'll, don't say too much. Leave
the talking to me-"
Yes, Henry, | will" The weak
eyes of the old man searched his
sons face. you've been with me a
long time, haven't you, Henry?"
Twenty years"
ITS a long time-a long time to
wait tor an old mans money. There,
there, you mustn't take offence.
You've outlived every one of them
every one except my sen Jim's boy
haven't you? You and Jim's boy are
the only living creatures that have
any claim to my money. Just the two
of you are left"
He dropped back and his eyes
slowly closed.
Here, here said the younger
man, stepping forward You mustn't
drop asleep like that"
He put a glass to the old mans
lips and he slipped little of the con-
| tents.
1--WE settled with Jims boy in the
will that's in the big safe across the
hall. You know what he gets. Twen-
ty-five dollars. All the rest goes to
my dearly beloved son, Henry; yes,
yes"
The younger man frowned.
II know all that" he said. I've
done my best to serve you, TO make
you comfortable, haven't II"
."At my expense, Henry-always at
my expense"
well, how could it be otherwise?
You kept me here and you gave me
no chance to make my way in the
world"
Pm not banning you, Henry.
You've been faithful, very faithful.
I'm so used to you that | don't see
how | can spare you-even on the
long journey I'm going. II want you
to go with me, Henry. I'm afraid to
go alone"
His voice trailed off again in pitt.
full whimper.
See here" said the younger man
almost roughly, you mustn't talB
like that. What would the boy think
If he heard you?"
The old man shook his head feebly
HE won't hear me, Henry. You ar,
the only one that hears me, and you
don't mind.
YES, do" replied the younger
man. 81 don't like what you say, ant
you say it much too often. Harl1
what's that?"
A sound as of some one rappint
on the lower door came to them.
1T may be Jim's boy" Whispered
the old man.
"I'll go to the door, said the young
, er man Remember. you must b.
careful what you say"
A cunning look overspread the oil
mans wrinkled face.
7 Henry doesn't like to hear m
say it." he hoarsely whispered. II
J doesn't know mean it all. He doesn'
know he's going with me on the loni
journey. He doesn't know the littl
4 surprise I've fixed for him. He doesn'
/ know how long I've had it ready-th
5 powder, the hammer. the clock. Hush
5 here he comes"
There we're steps upon the stai
a and the sound OF voices. A youn
man, bright faced, clear eyed, ap
( peared in the doorway. Behind hir
was pretty young woman, neat an