Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-09-11

u Lutnos l doh 9Ou " w Lie odAnc W
night"
There was a moment of intense 81
lence. broken only by the purr and
crackle of flames in the open fireplace.
The old major. straight and massive
and gaunt. let his eyes flicker for a
second or two into the eyes of each Of
his guests. but he did not smile. Jesse
briggs. ford. powerful, smooth shaw
en-; his brother Tol, thinner and more
precise; Bud Hall, blond and romantic;
Iank Caryl Summers. and the sallow,
mystic son of Fitzpatrick, each met the
glance in turn.
I'VE all hope you'll live long to enjoy
life. MAJOR exclaimed Jesse briggs,
with a sudden return of his natural
buoyancy.
1.-THE SOUTH" said Fitzpatrick feryid-
", has none too many of your kind
left, SIR
81 knew that you gentlemen were all
sons of your fathers" said the major,
with a prophetic smile, when you re-
sponded SO promptly to what must
have struck you as my strange invita-
ton. If folks have forgot the road to
Clibourne hall it's my own fault. 1
haven't been hospitable. I've felt that
my day was gone. And if I've called
you all out on a night like this it was
because of a special occasion. l crave
your indulgence-for an old mans
idea"
why. we were all just too glad to
see you. major" Jesse briggs exclaim-
ed. The others supported the asser-
ton heartily.
II hope that your recollections of to-
night the major said. Twill be no less
glad,
'They will be-" several interpolated.
And with that end in view I've ask
ed Jezebel to get us up a little dinner
of the kind that used to delight us in
the old days. ] dare say that it is
ready now, although that rascal Jerry
has failed to notify us. Let us adjourn
to the dining ROOM"
The dining room. like the other apart
ments of Clibourne hall. had gone into
gentle decay. The red silk that had
once adorned its walls was tattered
and stained. The two large portraits
One of the major in the pride and
glory of a new gray uniform and an
other, very formal. but beautiful not
withstanding, of Mrs. Clibourne, who
had died thirty years ago-were like
wise furnished with age and neglect.
Yet Jezebel and Jerry. the two old
servants. and possibly the major him
self. had evidently done their best to
give the place an air Of festivity.
Here also was an open fire of hickory
logs. There were a good many candles
about. A good deal of the ruin was
concealed by clumps of holly or the
red and gold branches of sweet gum
and oak.
At the door stood old Jerry in an at
titude of respectful attention. He had
doDned a wrinkled dress suit of an
tique cut and a pair Of white cotton
gloves.
-Te-Driggs-Was-tke last to enter.
Jerry" he asked in a hurried whis-
per. whats this all about?"
The negro raised a look Of agony.
GOD help us, sahy' was all he said.
1t was 8 o'clock by the old hall clock
when they sat down. The dinner was
served with slow solemnity. And in
spite of the excellence of Jezebels
cooking. the scuppernong wine. the sto-
ries told with hardness and skill by
Jesse briggs and the gallant, almost
cheerful speech of the major. there
kept recurring to the thoughts of more
than q who was present-perhaps to
all of them-a sense of vague fmpend-
ing tragedy. 1t was almost midnight
when Jerry. tiptoeing out of the room.
closed the door behind him.
~Instinctiyely the five guests looked
at their host.
Gentlemen" be said. I've summon
ed you all to do me a great favor. I've
done 1t because of the names you bear.
If the spirits of your fathers are here
with us tonight-and who can say that
they are not?-they will look, | de-
voutly believe. with appreciation on
what | am about to say and on what l
am about to do"
He looked from one to the other,
kindly, but searchingly. as though to
detect any sign of weakness or dis
trust. Then he drew a quick breath
and said softly. Henry is not here to-
night"
For a moment no n spoke. The
ticking of the hall clock became a loud
and important sound. Then Bud Hall.
the romantic one. expressed himself
with something like sorrowful remon-
STRANGE.
.Henry's a mighty fine boy. major"
There was a murmur of approval.
al thank you. sir" the major replied
81 thank you all. I've never been per-
suaded that his mothers hopes nor
mine were vain. He may have gone
wrong through kindness of heart or
through thoughtlessness or through
pride. | know that he expected to do
great things for Clibourne hall. ] be-
49, - uvo~4oI mn ~ nacc tho remain