Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-02-04
CHAPTER XI.


disaster at Beersheba being as yet only
on the way. Thomas Jefferson was
rather glad Of it; especially glad that
there was ne one from Woodlawn-thls
was the name of the new home-to
recognize him and ask discomforting
questions. But Ardea was expected,
and the Dabney carriage, with old
Scipio- on the box. was drawn up De-
side the platform. Tom put Ardea into
the carriage and was giving her hand
luggage to Scipio when she called 10
him.
isn't there any one here to meet
you. Tem2"
"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 1 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 w,ll
know that Pm home in disgrace II
won't hurt Unc Scipio any II I'm seen
riding with him"
It was the first time that he had
been given to see the Dabney imperi-
BUSINESS shining star-like In MISS Ar
deals slate-blue eyes.
II wish you to get your hang-pas
and ride in here with me-" she SAID
with the air of one whose wish was
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
was an ominous air of quiet about It,
and a horse and buggy, with black
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door. Toms heart came into MS
mouth. The turnout was Doctor VIII
iams'.
who's sick?" he asked OF the boy
who was holding the doctors Morse
and his tongue was thick with name
less fear.
The black boy did not know; and
Tom crept up the steps and let himseir
in as one enters house Oh mourhins'
breaking down completely when ne
saw his father sitting bowed on the
hall seat.
.sYou. Buddy ?-rm mighty glad"
said the man; and when he held out
his arms the boy flung himself on his
knees beside the seat and buried his
face in the cushions.
rs she-is she going to dieY' he
asked. when the dreadful words could
be found and spoken.
seWe're hoping for the best, Buddy,
son. It's some sort of stroke, the
doctor says; it took her yesterday
morning. and she hasn't been herself
since. Did somebody telegraph to
your"
Tom rocked his head on the cush-
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 I'm the confessional ever emptied
his soul with more heartfelt contrition
or more bitter remorse.
Caleb Gordon listened, with what IN
ward condemnings one could only guess
from his silence. 1t was terrible! II
his father would strike him, curse him
drive him out of the house, it would
be easier to bear than the sitting ST.
lence. But when the words came final
" they were as balm poured into an
angry wound.
"There. there, Buddy; don't take OF
and the suns still risin' and settin
Just the same as it did before you trip
ped up and fell down. And it'll go or
risin' and settin', too. long after you
and me and all of us have quit goin
TO bed and gettin' up by it. If it WASH
for your poor nanny"
THAT'S it-thats just IT," groaneC
Tom. TT would kill her, even IL she
was we'll"
New mind you're here now, and
reckon that's the main thing. If SHIT
gets up again, of course she'll hav'
TO know; but we won't cross tina
bridge till we come to 1t. And Buddy
son, whatever happens, your old papp,
amt goin' to believe that you'll be tn
drst Gordon to die in the gutter You'v
got better blood in you than what tina
calls for"
Tom felt the tightening OF his bur
den to some extent; but beyond wa
the alternative of suffering. or causing
suffering He had never realized un
til now how much he loved his moth
er; how large a place she had filled 4
his life, and what a vast void Their
would be when she was gone. He wa
yet too young and too self-centered I
know that this is the mother-c cross: I
live for love and TO be crowned and en-
throned oftenest in memory.
The fifth day after hts home comm
was Christmas Eve. Late in the after
aoon, when the doctor had made hi
second visit and had gone away, leav
ing no word OF encoura cement for IN
watchers, Tom left the house and too
the path that led up through the youn
orchard to the foot Of Lebanon.
He was deep within the winter strir
ped forest On the mountain side, plune
ing upward through the beds OF dr.
leaves in the little hollows, when +
met Ardea. She was coming dow
with her arms full Of holly. ana for II
moment he forgot his troubles in II
keen pleasure Of looking at her Nor
the less. his greeting was a brother
reproof
I'D like to know what you're thinl
ing OF. tramping around on the mouI
tain alone" he said. frowning at her.
Il have been thinking OF you, mo
a. lrl.l