The Press., 1910-03-16

% Copyright. 1908. by American Press
 Association. &aa-s-ese s-ea 3 s4s 2 e . . . q 6 3 aSrt
 It was the hour of noon. A tall. sal- low faced man sat on the barnyard wall. gazing over his rocky fields with slow. speculative eyes. He had finish ed his dinner and was now waiting for the help.
 Every few minutes be glanced i'm patiently toward the door of the long back kitchen.
 At hast be muttered something under his breath and slid heavily from che wall. At the same moment he saw a boy approaching.
 Does Mrs Carter live herey' the boy asked briskly as he paused in front of the man.
 She's stayin' here just now." was the answer ''l guess you'll find her 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. ] "Is Mrs. Carter in?" be asked of the | little old woman who opened the door.
 
 dinner" WAS the mumbling answer. Men folks eat fusi here. Who be yer"
 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 a long table. around which were seated dozen or more old wo- men and children. He knocked gently and repeated his question.
 A sweet faced old woman rose and came to the door.
 "I am Mrs Carter" she said pleas antIy. What do you wish?''
 But the boy could not answer.
 He felt all those curious eyes upon him. and there was lump in his throat and terror of something he could not understand.
 Fl wish to see yOu," he stam- mered at length.
 ''Very we'll. Suppose we go into the sitting room. We can talk better there"
 He followed her through the long kitchen into q big square room that was scantily furnished. The old wom- an motioned him to q chair by rhe 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. "I am getting old and do not remember as used to. But have seen you somewhere
 He rose from the chair.
 No. you have never seen me before. he replied. but folks used to say that 1 looked like father. l am John Car ter. Why don't you welcome me. grandmother"
 She trembled and gazed at him ea- gerly.
 Johns boy-come homer' she said vaguely. Then a flush came into her faded cheeks and glad light into her eyes. And has-has John comet? she asked.
 My father died last fall" The boys voice was very calm. but in 1t was a depth of pain which he strove vainly to conceal. His last wish was for me to come home. He said there had been some misunderstanding between him and Uncle Richard. but that his death would make it all right and that 1 would be welcome. Is Uncle Richard here?'
 Richard died many years ago. He told me 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 her two wrIn- kled ones and stroked 1t tenderly. "How did you ind me. JackyY' she asked. using the pet name she had given his father many years before.
 "A man on the road told me that you lived in the big house by the pond. It was easy to find"
 ''And did you come all the way from Mexico alone?'
 Yes: 1 am used to travelling. l did not mind it much. except for it's being lonely. ] missed father. We've were almost always together"
 The brave eyes held back their tears. but she could feel his hand tremble In her grasp.
 A cheap clock on the shelf began to strike shriIly. but after two or three spasmodic efforts It began to quaVer and finally stopped altogether.
 The old woman smiled. "It is old and decrepit. just like everything else about the place." she remarked sadly.
 John looked at her inpuiringly.
 What dues il all mean:" he asked. ~ThingS do r'-' S'',nl as as expected Father told me about MaplewOOd and Ihe long avenue and fine old trees l looked for them when 1 was coming lp the lane and thought maybe they had been cut down. l fancied l should know the place. but 1t all seems so strange" Then something im her face massa hia ask suddenly. ..Is 1t Maple wood?''
 'Maplew""d -thie9 Oh. Jnhn John don't you know-haven't you heardY' All the color was g0ne from her cheeks now. and her face was white and ptttl- ous. Ibid you c'OiIle all the way from Mexico I0 find such welcome as this: How IllankfuI | am that your father did mol Know.
 '-BuI what k il. grandmother: You must tell me everything. You and arr all there is Jeff. and you must let me help you. What Is It about Maple wood?'
 ''lt was sold long ago. Your Uncle