Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-20
CHAPTER |.

R1lrgling of thirsty horses drinking.
Inside the farmhouse warm fires blazed, oak
shutters were fastened over the windows TO
keep out the wind, and an aroma Of coffee and
tobacco smoke came pleasantly 10 the nostrils.
For all that peace and contentment did not
face one another in front of the wide-mouthed
FIRE.
On one side Of the open CRATE In the parlor
sat a Iong-limbed, squareshouldered young
man, with vague discomfort and envy IN MS
eyes, turning over the leaves Of an album OF
photographs On the other side, with his legs
stretched out in front of him, chin low, the cor
ners Of his mouth turned down, and with look
of sneering pain in his screwed-up eyes, sat his
father watching him closely.
The faces Of both men we're thin and wealth
er worn. Both were strong, well-cut, well-bred
faces, moulded on the same lines. and bearing
a close resemblance. The expression upon that
of the son was habitually calm, dignihed and
little melancholy. The fathers expression was
invariably bitter and sarcastic, and little
cruel
Hard knuckles raped on the door.
Come" said John Ashley. without taking
his eyes from his sons face
As an old man entered and came slowly
across the room. the big dog half opened one
eve closed It Immediately, and fell again into
a well-earned sleep John Ashley, the younger
bent his head lower over the album.
The photograph that engrossed his atten-
tim was Of a beautiful woman dressed for
ball
old Jesse Stoke put gnarled hand upon the
BEG yur pardon, master, but OF Jest COON
TO tell ZEE as 'ow olive locked oop fur night
Very we'll. Good night Sloke'
John Ashley's nostrll curled as he watched
the expression OF surprised admiration, curios-
ity and wonder that spread over the face OF
his son.
The boy suddenly held the album nearer the
light His interest was almost breathless.
The old man removed his hand from the
table quickly. and shuffled few PAGES toward
the door.
John"
No answer came from the boy.
The old man made his way across the room
with creakng boots and shut the door quietly.
Ashley suddenly put up his foot and kicked
the album. 1t fell upon the floor with thud.
What we're you looking at Jack?"
The boy caught his breath.
"The-the most wonderful thing I've ever
seen. father" he replied.
The wind shrieked derisively down the
chimney as it swept over the house.
The father shot out kind of laugh.
That's what | thought before | married
her." he said "curse her soul"
Both men rose to their feet Ashley, the father,
in a sudden state Of blasphemous rage that he
found himself unable to control; young Ashley
from feeling of indignant horror.
You're speaking OF my mother!" he cried.
Ashley came and stood in front of his son.
Yes" he said I'm speaking of your mother.
You've never heard me say these things before
You've never quite been sure that you ever had
a mother. For twenty-five years the word
mother has never been spoken in the house,
in your hearing. But the things you've heard
me say tonight have cried aloud every night
Of the twenty-five cursed years that / have
spent in this self-made Siberia, Solely be-
cause you might never be tricked and lied to
and flung over as ] have been. have kept you
away from refined women and honorable men,
and have brought you up in the company of
trees, the only Christians God has ever made.
except dogs. It's your own fault that you have
heard me recite aloud the words ! have re-
peated 10 myself until ! know them by heart
When ! saw you looking at the woman who
my wife, l looked at her when l saw
her first, you unlocked the blue room Of my life
and came inside. Where did you find that
album?
Young Ashley pointed to a widowed leather
box Il found it in that II was in one of the
barns"
Give it to me. Now that you have found
my Photographic series of ghosts, | may as
well personally conduct you round the gallery q"
Ashley put the album on the table under the
lamp. For a moment he kept his hand upon
1t as though afraid to open it. His mouth
twitched, and he gave a shudder
Jack" he said. have you ever wondered
why have never spoken to you about your
MOTHER
Yes" replied young Ashley.
"When?"
AT night after reading some book in which
there has been mother"
A look of bitter disappointment came into
Ashley's eyes
I've been persuading myself" he said, that
you found me sufficient"
! have" replied the boy quickly
i want TO know something else" said his
father. Have you ever wondered why a man
OF my type should have buried himself in this
farm for twenty-five years."
No said young Ashley.
4 haven't ever struck YOU as being a kind
of whipped dog, who has been flung whimper-
ing out e. the world and spent the rest OF his
life hiding?"
No" said young Ashley.
Come here and look over my shoulder. I'm
going TO show you why brought you here and
came here myself"
Young Ashley sat down by his fathers side
After some hesitation he put his strong hand