Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-09

but. responding to the habit of a Me-
time, caught himself up in time. and
turned to deposit his umbrella in the
niche outside the door. which he closed
gently an instant later.
Is there anything wrong with Aunt
Renal demanded Eric. What brings
you out on a night k this?"
Il shan't remove my coat. Mary"
said Mr.. Blagden. as she took his hat
and stood waiting for him to unfastell
the cape of his coat 1T is a dreadful
night. l thought I should be blown
away crossing the common. How
warm and cosey you have made it here.
Pon my word, l had no idea Mrs. Yer
ner.s place was SO attractive"
Sit down. Uncle said Eric, pull
Ing a chair up to the CRATE. 1--WE arc
glad to see YOU here" he fl~oundered
considerably at a loss for words.
Thank YOU" said Horace. perhaps
1t would be better if remove my coat
night like this. what with the wind
blowing and the rain coming from all
sides"
Eric relieved him of the coat, while
Mary undi the muffler. To their
amazement. he Wore, instead of the
customary frock coat. the familiar old
dressing gown they had known since
c~hlldhood With one accord. they
looked at his feet. They We're encased
IN the ancient carpet slippers that
Aunt Rena haa made for him a score
OF Years before. once a toNted brown,
now a water soaked black.
For heavens sake.' cried Mary
aghast.
Notlng their concentrated gaze, he
looked down. For a moment he was
silent. Then he sat down rather ab.
ruptly in the big chair.
We'll, Ii declared" he m]urn1ured,
blinking his eyes. II hadn't noticed
They did not wait for him to finish
the plaintive comment on his w un-
happy plight. Mary gave commands,
and both set about to provide warm
stockings and slippers for him. He sub
united to the changes without a pro-
test, n even smiled when she pro-
duced a huge pair of gum boots from
the hall closet.
You will catch your death-cold," she
said. How could you think of coming
out in those slippers. Uncle Horace?
They"
His smile depended. That's Just it.
my dear" he said. 81 didn't think of
coming out in them. Dear me, IL
But, of course. / was in a great hurry.
l don't believe / ave ever ventured
beyond the porch in these slippers be-
fore You are very good, both of you.
| NSly SOOu.
They stood above him, looking Down
with puzzled, distressed eyes, both sud
denly mute in the presence of what now
shaped itself into q tragedy.
Mr.. Blagden held out his hands to
the fire. shivering as with a chill. Then
he allowed his gaze to sweep the warm,
lamp-lit room.
You are very comfortable here, 1 am
sure" he said slowly, as If weighing
something in his mind. Very COM
Portable and happy in our own little
home"
Yes" said they. without thinking.
His shoulders seemed to settle deep
err in the chair, his chin sank ever so
slightly.
II fear. then, that my mission to-
night is-er-ahem!-a rather hopeless
one. If you will help me on with those
boots, Eric l will go back to your
aunt
In heavens name, Uncle Horace,
is it?"
Mr.. Blagden looked from one to the
other before responding. There was
something abjectly pathetic in his face.
He gulped, and his firm square chin
trembled.
"Well,-you see,-" he began. with an
effort, Il came over tonight to ask
you both to come back to-to-'' He got
no farther. His voice choked and tears
started up in his eyes-eyes that had
not felt the smar Of tears since boy
hoods earliest pains.
The Midthornes, In that moments
utter crumbling on the part of the
great man of Corinth, felt the passing
of a life long spirit of antagonism and
restraint. 1t melted and oozed away,
leaving their hearts empty, and aching,
and cleansed of all the things that
ranked.
They were young and strong, and
their souls were sweet despite the bit
ter seeds that this gaunt old MAJ had
planted in his years of plenty. Now he
was come to his days of famine. He had
sown, and he had reaped, and his bins
We're empty. He was poor, he had come
to beg!
They stood beside him. Their hands
fell upon his dropping shoulders, and
rested there while the strong current of
human sympathy gushed from their
hearts into the famished soul of this
wondering old man.
He looked up strangely dazed: he
could not understand the sensation that
was creeping over him. He had never
felt anything just like it before in all
his life. No one had ever presumed to
such gentle familiarity, such frank
fearlessness. 1t was sensation.
Why, Mary he began, a great
question leaping into his wet eyes. He
tried himself first. before going on, just
to see if he could smile as she was
smiline Then, feeling his lips relax, he
could not trust himself to further
speech for very fear of saying some
thing that might destroy the sweetness
of his discovery.
CONTINUED next week.