The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-02-27
UheDkUGHTER of
DAVID KERR .te
By Harry Ki25 rootle
Illustrations 1y 11Y Ahl7=es .
~ A.c-NecluRc * CO.. 1919

UOOA " DAOW An8A the plat " 80
addition and out would drop your
other handkerchief. l 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 l was struggling to get q
start"
1t seemed to be Q m%onologue Kerr
a delivering. His questions we're
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 q mighty nice girl"
Yes, that was about the time was
elected prosecuting attorney"
Exactly" then after Z pause, and
you got married"
Gilbert could not understand the
drift Of the conversation, but he rec
ognized that Kerr wal reviewing the
past step by step.
Then ] gave up my desk in your
Office, and moved to the courthouse"
But you still came to see me.
Amos"
This was said az quietly as had
h0nn hy0 nrau{nvpc AANNArlxr TnA1N
by itself 1t raj . harmless u~tterance.
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 we'll before he
asked.
After that how long was you on
the bench?"
six years."
rs that SO! l hadn't an idee 1t
was that long. What made you give
that up?"
Il had a family on my hands and
needed more money. I didn't run
again, you remember. because l 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 q
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"
We'll. WI 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 oil
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" stammered
Gilbert.
The boss pulled himself together IL
his chair. sat up straight and looked
at Gilbert.
But you've rot . telephone" Then
he. added In q gentler tone: That's
all right. Amos. I've always under.
stood" It seemed to be with IN ef
fort that he continued. I'm going ia
ten 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 ia
know. Bout the time you come here
| Was married, and my wife died on
giving birth to = girl.
Gloria"
Yes, Gloria. l was just gittin' into
politics. Things might ave been dif.
ferent II my wife had lived. II didn't
seem long before there l was With Z
big girl on my hAnds-me, David
Kerr" The old feeling Of power
surged through him - he added with
spirit, III It had been q boy!"
This thought held him silent for Z
ninute. and when he took up the
thread Of HE story again It was the
old weary tone.
We'll. It wasn't. There l was with
girl ~ my hands. Her mother didn't
have any relatives. Her father was I
minister. sAmois my father VA. |
didn't have anybody. either. ! could
send her 70. ! tept her - long . !
could. but BY that time my house
sven In the country-wasnt . nc placl
for . child-specially Q girl. So ]
saint her away 70 school and she amt
bean hack anca. ! reckon BelmoOt'a