The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-02-13
CHAPTER XVII.
Faith Is Restored.

Suoltl- DtSdH MI. OuIlLupllu,
and paused 20 clear his throat He
was walking beside wild Bills head
while Custer in the cart tried to sup
port Langham. for the latter had not
regained consciousness. Custer, I'm
mighty well satisfied with you: ! may
say that while | always been proud
of you, ] am prouder this moment than
! ever hoped to be! How many boys
in Mount Hope, do you think, would
have the nerve TO do what you just
done? | love nerve" concluded Mr..
Shrimplin with generous enthusiasm.
But Custer was silent, a sense OF
bitter shame kept him mute.
Custer" said his father, In timid-
ly propitiatory tone, Il hope you amt
feeling stuck-up about this!"
II wish 1t had never happened"
The boy spoke in an angry whisper.
You wish what had never happen
ed. Custer?"
About you'll meant"
Shrimplin gave a hollow little laugh.
We'll. and what about me, sqD-if
may be allowed to ask?"
II wish you'd gone down to the
crick bank like wanted you tot" re-
joined the boy.
again H6 lett the nOl lSsiAb BdluOi >
and drew the back OF his hand across
his eyes. The little lamplighter had
been wishing this, too; indeed. It
would for ever remain one OF the
griefs OF his life that he had not done
So He wondered miserably II the old
faith would ever renew itself His
portion In life was the deadly com
monplace. but Clusters belief had CIV
en- him hours Of high fellowship with
heroes and warriors; It had also min
istered to the observation-disclosures
which law somewhere back OF that
quaking fear constitutional with him.
and which he could no more control
than he could control his hunger or
thirst. His blinking eyelids loosed
solitary drop OF moisture that slid out
to the tip OF his hooked nose. But
though Mr.. Shrimplin's physical equip
ment was OF the slightest for the role
IN life he would have essayed, nature,
which gives the hunted bird and beast
feather and fur to blend with the rus
sets and browns OF the forest and
plain, had not dealt ungenerously with
him. since he could believe that lie
long persisted In gathered to itself
the very soul and substance or truth.
Another hollow little laugh escaped
him.
Lord, Custer, I was foolin'-I am
always foolin'! 1t was my chance 10
see the stun that's In you. Well. us
pretty good stuff" he added artfully.
But Custer was not ready for the re-
ception OF this new idea; his father
display Of cowardice had seemed only
too real to him Yet the little lamp
lighters manner took on confidence
as he prepared to establish few facts
as a working basis for their subse-
quent reconciliation.
"Td been little better pleased, son,
II you'd gone quicker when you heard
them calls Mr.. Langham was letting
out: you did hang back, you'll remem-
bert looked like you was depending
ON ME too much; but got no desire
TO rub this in. What you done was
nervy, and what | might have looked
for with the bringing.up I've given
you. l shan't mention that you hung
back" He shot glance out or the
corners OF his bleached blue eyes In
Clusters direction. How many min
utes do you suppose you was In get
ting out OF the cart and over the
fence? Not more than Ave, I'd say
and ali that time I was sitting there
shaking with laughter-just shaking
with inward laughter; | asked you
not to leave me alone! Well, always
was a joker but l consider that my
best joke"
Custer maintained a stony silence,
yet he would have given anything
could he have accepted those pleasant
fietions his father was seeking to es-
tablish In the very habiliments o.
truth.
Il hoped you'd know how TO take a
joke, son!" said the little lamplighter
In a hurt tone.
Were you joking, sure enough
asked Custer doubtingly.
is II likely I could have been In
earnest?" demanded Shrimplin. hitch
ing up his chin with an air OF disdain.
What's my record right here In Mount
Hope? Was II Andy Gilmore or Colonel
HARRISON that found old man Mcbride
when he was murdered In HIS store?'
And the little lamplighters tone grew
more and more indignant as he pro
Ceeded. Maybe you think II was
your disgustin' and dirty Uncle Joe
seem TO remember II was Bill shrimp
lin, or DO Just dream I was there