The Ordway new era., 1913-12-19
The DAUGH.rERo of
DAVID KERR 4:
.1y Harry Me5 lootle
Illustrations X H1I 4hlT=es .
COPYRIGHT BY A.c- -r1ecluNc e CO., i9t8
t9t1

UOOA " bAOW . AhSA Sho RANs SA -
addition and out would drop your
other handkerchief. I guess the mirror
in your room wasn't big enough to
hold handkerchief on your wash
day" He looked about the library.
absorbing its quiet elegance. Things
mighty different now. amt they?"
Then i was struggling to. get q
start"
It seemed to be q monologue Kerr
was delivering. His questions were
answered. but he made no sign that
he heard. His remarks were delivered
at random, and he never took his gaze
from the fire. except the one time he
had looked about the room to note
the contrast of the present with the
time when Gilbert had first come to
Belmont.
"'Bout that time you wanted to git
married to mighty nice girl"
Eyes. that was about the time was
elected prosecuting attorney"
Exactly" then after pause. and
you got married"
Gilbert could not understand the
drift of the conversation. but he rec
ognized that Kerr was reviewing the
past step by step.
Then l gave up my desk in your
ofhce. and moved to the courthouse" :"
But you still came to see me.
Amos"
This was said as quietly as had
been his previous remarks. Taken
by itself 1t was harmless utterance.
but in connection with what had gone
before It was Of great Significance.
Yes, Amos Gilbert, the rising young
prosecuting attorney. had gone to see
David Kerr after he had moved his Of
fee to the courthouse. The boss let
that remark sink In well before he
asked. t-t
After that how long was you on
the bench?"
six years.
rs that SO! I hadn't an idee it
was that long. What made you give
that up?"
Il had family ON my hands and
needed more money. I didn't run
again. you remember. because ! want
ed to be attorney for the new street
railway company"
Kerr seemed to be revolving some
thing in his mind. for It was some
time before he reminded Gilbert of .
step in his rise which he had not
mentioned.
Il thought you was lawyer for one
of them crowds that was fightin' for
q franchise"
well. we got the franchise"
That was what Kerr wanted to
bring out.
Exactly. And you're still their law
yer"
YES"
"And for the water company" /"
unused Kerr And for the 'lectric
light company. And you still come to
see me, Amos"
why. yes. Mr.. Kerr. I'm not un-
mindful Of"
Kerr seemed to throw OF some OF
the gloom In which he had appeared
to be wrapped as he interrupted the
attorney.
This time. Amos. I've come to see
you. It's the first time I've ever been
in this house.
"Well-Mr. Kerr-I-" stammered
Gilbert
The boss pulled himself together in
his chair. sat up straight and looked
at Gilbert.
but you've got telephone" Then
he added in gentler tone: That's
all right. Amos. I've always under
stood" It seemed to be with an ef-
fort that he continued. I'm going to
tell you some things that you know.
and some things that you don't know.
and some you've guessed. and some
I've thought nobody'd ever have to
know. Bout the time you come here
was married, and my wife died on
giving birth to girl"
Gloria"
"Yes, Gloria. I was Just gittin' into
politics. Things might ave been diff
ferent II my wife had lived. 1t didn't
seem long before there was with
big girl on my hands-me. David
Kerr" The old feeling Of power
surged through him as he added with
spirit, "IS-it had been boy!"
This thought held him silent for .
minute. and when he took up the
thread Of his story again 1t was the
old weary tone.
wen, II WASH I. lnere was Will
a girl on my hands. Her mother didn't
have any relatives. Her father was
minister. same's my father was.
didn't have anybody. either. could
send her to. kept her as long as
could. but by that time my house
even in the country-warnt a fit place
for child-specially girl. So
sent her away to school and she aint
been back since. l reckon Belmont's'