Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-02-03
CHAPTER XI.

there was no one from Woodlawn-th1s
was the name of the new home-to
recognize him and ask discomfordnS
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, Tom?'
"They don't know I'm coming" he
explained. Whereupon she quickly
made room for him, holding the door
open. But he hung back.
IT reckon I'd better ride on the boN
with Unc' Scipio," he suggested.
IT am sure / don't know why you
should" she objected.
He told her straight; or at least gave
her his own view of it.
"By tomorrow morning everybody
in Gordonia and Paradise valley WIN
know that I'm home in disgrace. IL
won't hurt Unc' Scipio any If I'm seen
riding with him"
1t was the first time that he mad
been given to see the Dabney imperi-
BUSINESS shining star-like in Miss Ar
deals slate-blue eyes.
81 wish you to get your hang-bas
and ride in here with me-" she salo'
with the air of one whose wish was
law. But when he was sitting opposite
and the carriage door was shut, sne
smiled companionably across at MIN
and added: "You foolish boy!"
When he reached the house there
was an ominous air of quiet about 1t,
and horse and buggy, with black
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door. Toms heart came into his
mouth. The turnout was Doctor Will
Jams.
who's sick?" he asked of the boy
who was holding the Doctors horse,
and his tongue was thick with a name
less fear
The black boy did not know; and
Tom crept up the steps and let himself
in as one enters a house of mourning,
breaking down completely when he
saw his father sitting bowed on the
hall seat.
you, Buddy ?-Tm mighty glad"
said the man; and when he held out
his arms the boy flung himself on MS
knees beside the seat and buried his
face in the cushions.
us she-is she going to die?" ne
asked, when the dreadful words could
be found and spoken.
Were 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 u
you?"
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 1t had to
be done, and surely no hapless peni-
tent in the confessional ever emptied
his soul with more heartfelt contrition
or more bitter remorse.
Caleb Gordon listened, with what m
ward condemnings one could only guess
from his silence. 1t was terriblela Ii
his father would strike him, curse him,
drive him out of the house, 1t would
be easier to bear than the sitting ST.
lence. But when the words came final
ly they were as balm poured into an
angry wound.
There, there, Buddy; don't take on
so. You're might nigh a man, now,
and the suns still risln' and settin'
Just the same as it did before you trip
ped I'D and fell down. And it'll go on
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 wasn't
for your poor NANNY
That's it-that's just it," groaned
Tom. TT would kill her, even If she
was we'll"
New mind; you're here now, and
reckon that's the main thing. If she
gets up again, of course she'll have
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 thai
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 place she had filled II
his life, and what a vast void Their
would be when she was gone. He wa
yet too young and too self centered t
know that this is the mother cross: I
live for love and to be crowned and en-
throned oftenest in memory.
The fifth day after his home comm
was Christmas Eve. Late in the after
s,oou, when the doctor had made hi
second visit and had gone away, leav
ing no word of encoura cement for tn
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-striT
ped forest on the mountain side, pluns
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, and for II
moment he forgot his troubles in Il
keen pleasure of looking at her. MOI
the less. his greeting was brother
reproof.
I'D like to know what you're thin
ing OF. tramping around on the moul
tain alone" he said. frowning at her.
Il have been thinking of you, no
of the time. and wishing you could
with me-" she answered. SO artless
IS to mollify him instantly. rs 20
mother any better this aftersoon?"