The evening world., 1914-01-26

one was foolish in sending you out
here alone. Some day you'll look
back on your visit here and then
you'll understand."
He got UP and walked to tho door.
OPENING II and standing there look
Ing out into the darkness. 6heiia
watched him. pussied by his niys-
least afraid Of him. Several times
while no stood At the door he turned
ana looked at her and presently,
whom . gust Of wind rushed In and
Sheila shivered. he abruptly closed
tho door. barred II and strobe to tho
fireplace, throwing . fresh log into
II. For . time ne stood silently IN
front OF the nre. HE figure castin. =
HE ssse on her, grim. sombrc Hines
In his face. Presently he cleared
his throat.
"How old are your he said short
Twenty-Five
"And you've lived East all your
life. Lived we'll. too. suppose
Sp. plenty Of money 'uxuri'" hapD''
He caught her nod and continued.
his lips curling . little. "Your father
too. reckon-.has he been happyT
~ think So"
"Thars odd" He had spoken more
TO himself than TO sheila and he
looked at her with narrowed eyes
when she answered.
"what n odd7 That my father
should be happy-that should7'
"Odd that any one who IA happy In
one place should want to leave that
place and 30 70 another. Maybe the
place he went TO wouldn't be just
right for him. What makes nsopis
want TO move around like thatf''
perhaps you could answer that
yourself" suggested Sheila. II am
81 81: !. part of the country all your
How DO you know that?" His
gass was quissical and hooking.
II don't know. But you haven't"
"Well." he said. well say I haven't.
But I wasn't happy where came
from and I came here looking for
happiness-and something else. That
I didn't md what I was looking for
isn't the guestion-mostly none Of u
nnd the things we're looking for But
II I had been happy where was I
wouldn't have come here. You say
your father has been happy there:
that he's got plenty OF money and all
that. Then Why should he want to
live here?'
II believe I told you that he ID
coming here for his health"
His eyes lighted savaeely. But
Sheila did not catch their expression
for At that moment she was looking
ut his shadow on the floor. How
long. how grotesque. Il seemed. and
forblddihe-like its owner.
$50 he's lot everything Ne want.
but his health. What made him losl
} thatr'
"How should I know"
lust lost II. reckon" said Daleots
! subtly. Cares and worryf
. II presume. His health has beer
, fAilinR for about ten years.'
Sheila was looking straight at Da.
kota now and she saw his face whiten
} his lips harden. And when ne spok,
= again there was chill In his voic,
and a distinct pause between hi
= words.
"Ten years." he said. THAT'S ,
long time. isn't II? A lone time 70
And yeti There WINS q mirthles
smile on Dakota's facs-"ten year
10 q longer time for . man in 200,
I health who hasn't bean happy
. Couldn't your father have doctored-
Gone abr0ad--to recover his health
0 or was his a mental sickness3"
{ Mental. think. He worried quit
q little"
Dakota turned from her. but no
). quickly enough to conceal the light o
savage Joy that flashed suddenly int
. his eyes.
why" exclaimed sheila, voicinl
= her surprise At tho startling chang
, In HIS manner: that seems to pleas
you!"
4 ut does" He laughed oddly
1T pleases me to ind that I'm to hav
q neighbor who In afflicted with tn
aort Of sickness that has been bother
: Ing me for-f0r . good many years.
There was q silence. during whic
Shcila yawned and Dakota stoo
! inOtionless. looking straight ahead.
"You like your father. I reckon
came his voice presently. ~ his gag
+. "Of course" she looked up at mir
{ in surprise. why shouldn't lik
"Of course you like him. Mosti
Q children like their fathers"
Q "Chlldrenl" She glared scornfull
At him: II am sFenty-two' toll
u 80 you did." he returned. unruf
ned. when IL he coming out here
u uOUsu "
day" She regarded him with . sud
den, new interest. you arc betray
}. ing q great deal Of curiosity" oh
accused. why"
= why" he answered slowly.
q reckon that isn't odd. II Hf He
& going to be my neikhbor. isn't hef"
% "Oh!" she said with emphasts {
\ mockery which equalled his. An
Z you are gOssipinG about your neigh
. Dor even before ne comes"
"Your father" ne said. Seems
1" think q heap Of you-sending you q
n the way out here alone
u II came against his wish: B
- wanted me TO wait and come Wit
him."
/ Her defense OF her parent SCENE
!. to amuse him. Ho smiled myster
y ously. Then he likes your"
rs that strange? He hasn't IN
one eise-no relative. ! am the onl
one"
you're the only one" He repeats
her words slowly. regarding her mai
y. rowiy. and he likes you. j recko
70 he'd be hurt quite httie II you hu
fallen In with the sort OF man ] wa
d going TO tell you about"
u Naturally" Sheiia was tappin