The Washington herald., 1911-05-21


other, that he ceased his struggles.
mo, no, Tim cried the old man, be-
seechingy, and still cnging to him. Don't
you go for to run away from poor old Abb
ner Just listen to me, won't your
"Let me Co." said Tim 6ercely 'Tve done
with you forever"
"WG Wont You y"ns', g home with me'"
pletely prostrated His arms dropped by his
side, he sank down Imply on barrel, and
tears moistened his eyes. -,
Tim was even more astonished at this dis
play Of grief than he had been at the exhibi-
"is it possible" he asked himself, in amaze.
ment, that he cares so much for me?"
Then he added, aloud:
running away has worried you, but couldn't
help it.. You never treated me you should
81 know it," admitted Abner, tearfully.
"You do' exclaimed Tim, hardly able to
YES YES" ~ said I Abner. '1 didn't treat you ex-
actly right, but you oushter make allowances
for me-"
Tim looked rather doubtful on this point,
and Abner motioned him to sit down on the
Tins curiosity got the better Of him and
he sat down and Abner went on.
"You don't take into account that me and
Betsy is old-much oldern you, Tim, and l
dessay we didn't make allowances nuther. |
don't care for no parties nor any foolishness
myself, and Betsy she's sorter invalid, you
know. But if we didn't send you out among
self it wasn't because we was cruel, for we
didn't mean no snch thing. II was clean for
getfulness, that's what 1t was
During the delivery of this little speech,
he reeled off his words as a schoolboy recites
a lesson and second, that he kept his eyes
anywhere but on Tim. Altogether, he acted
so strangely that Tim came to the conclusion
Anything else, sir!" the boy asked, quiet
There amt much else to say" said Alb.
ner, with a sigh. "pm willin' to admitwand
say-and so does Betsy-et's forget and for
give. So if you're ready, wen go home to-
night"
Tim laughed.
Not 50 fast" said he, rising and facing
Abner. "You are in greater hurry than |
am. | like the city better than the country"
81 wouldn't live in the city," declared Alb
ner. savagely, IF they gave it to me free
Every man to his TASTE" rejoined Tim
airlly "You say that you meant to make it
pleasant for me, but know that you didn't.
You did worse than beat me. You never
taught me anything, or let me have chance,
to learn That wasn't right, Mr.. Darringer.'
Perhaps it wasn't, Tim, but"
"You brought me up like slave" went
on Tim, relentlessly, ''and | ran away as any
slave would that had chance. l won't say
it was deliberate cruelty, but it was some
thing worse than forgetfulness. What made
you abuse me last Sunday night"
Abner made no reply. He stood one
foot, then on the other foot, rubbed his hands
together and scratched his head, but could find
words.
"At any rate" continued Tim, 81 am here
now, and here I'll stay"
Abner's distress at this dread announce
ment was pitiful.
Don't say that" he pleaded "If you only
knew how much ! wanted you to come back,
you'd come"
mo, I wouldn't" said Tim, coldly. II
rather think that you only want to get even
with me"
Abner protested loudly against this insinu-
alton, but Tim was obdurate.
ITS no USE" he said, firmly "You have
noe no claim HG on M! me, and wont go back to that
"Haint got no claim you?" snapped
Abner, for the first time losing his temper.
Don't you be too sure of that, young man.
You was bounden to me, and you haint of
Tim could not repress a slight feeling of
alarm, for fear there might be some truth in
the claim, but he put on bold front, and
said
have any claim, just try to stop me-"
The experiment was completely successful.
Abner lost his ferocity at once, and implor.
ingly clntched Tim by the arm.
ION De IN hurry, he said mcckly.
''lf you don't want to go home with me now,
there haint no need to get mad just because
| asked you. Can't We go somewhere to talk
over old times?"
"No, we can't. Pm busy. I'm looking for
someone"
Someone" repeated Abner suspciousy
"A little girl" said Tim "A perfect little
beauty-long golden hair and large blue eyes
Very well dressed, too! Her name is Tiny,
and she is"
He paused in amazement Abnor,s footur.s
were working convulsvely, as if he were about
to have fit.
lin was seriously alarmed for the old mans
CONTINUED ON pAGE snuEN