Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-02-09
CHAPTER XI.

disaster at Beersheba being as yet only
on the way Thomas Jefferson was
rather glad of 1T; especially glad thai
there was no one from Woodlawn-ths
was the name of the new home-to
recognize him and ask discomfortins
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 in 10
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.
II reckon I'd better ride on the box
with Unc' Scipio." he suggested.
Il am sure l 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 Will
know that I'm home in disgrace. 1t
won't hurt Unc' Scipio any If I'm seen
riding with him."
1t 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.
Il wish you to get your hang-bag
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 tine house there
was an ominous air of quiet about it,
and horse and buggy, with a black
boy holding the reins, stood before the
door. Toms heart came into his
mouth. The turnout was Doctor Will
iams'
who's sick?" he asked of the boy
who was holding the doctors horse,
and his tongue was thick with name
less fear.
Tho 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?-Im 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 die?" he
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 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 in the confessional ever emptied
his soul with more heartfelt coEtrition
or more bitter remorse
Caleb Gordon listened with what IN
ward condemnings one could only guess
from his silence. 1t was terrible If
his father would strike him, curse him,
drive him out of the house, it would
be easier to bear than the sitting 81
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 up and fell down. And it'll go on
risin' and settn', 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-thats 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 that
calls for
Tom felt the tightening of his bur-
den to some extent; but beyond was
the alternative of suffering, or causing
suffering. He had never realized I'M
til now how much he loved his moth
err; how large a place she had filled in
his life, and what vast void there
would be when she was gone. He was
yet too young and too self-centered TO
know that this is the mother cross: to
live for love and to be crowned and en-
throned oftenest in memory.
The fifth day after his home coming
was Christmas Eve. Late in the after
noon, when the doctor had made his
second visit and had gone away, leav-
Ing no word of encouragement for the
Tom left the house and took
the path that led up through tho young
orchard to the foot of Lebanon.