The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-09-10

them-Justlhably so, no doubt, II one
bears in mind the fact that they slgni-
fed more to James Brood than did
his long-neglected son.
The cold reserve that extended to |
the young man did not carry beyond |
him In relation to any other member
Of the household so far as james
Brood was concerned. The unhappy
boy early in their acquaintance, came
to realize that there was little In COM
mon between him and the man he
called father. After while the eager
light died out of his own eyes and he
no longer strove to encourage the in
innate relations he had counted upon
as a part Of the recompense for so
many years Of separation and lonell'
ness. It required but little effort on
his part to meet his fathers indiffer'
ence with a coldness quite as pro-
nounced; he had never known the
meaning of flial love; he had been
taught by word of mouth to love the
man he had never seen, and he hao
learned as one learns astronomy-oy
calculation. He hated the two old men
because his father loved them.
The patient butler, Jones, had made
no less than four visits to the library
since ten o'clock to awaken them and
pack them off to bed. Each time be
had been ordered away, once with the
joint admonition to mind his own
business"
But it is nearly midnight" pro-
tested Jones irritably, with glance
at the almost empty decanter.
Jones'" said Danbury Dawes, with
great dignity ana an eye that de,
ceived him to such degree that ne
could not for the life of him under
stand why Jones was attending them
in pairs, Jones, you ought to be in
/ hic-bed, d-n you-both Of you. VIVA
J you mean, sir, by coming in-hic-
. here thish time O. night dis-disturb
8 ing"
"You internal migrate" broke In Mr.
!. Riggs fiercely, don't you dare to touch
!, that bottle, sir. Let it alone!"
a tits time you were in bed" pro
|, nounced Jones, taking Mr.. Dawes b!
n the arm. Mr.. Dawes sagged heavily
e in his chair and grinned triumphantly
s He was a short, very fat old man.
n "Take him to bed, Jones'" said MI
t. Riggs firmly. Hes drunk and-an
utterly useless at a time like this
) Take him along"
3 "Who the dev-hic-il are you, sir?
demanded Mr.. Dawes, regarding MI
8 Riggs as if he had never seen hiI
before.
( You are both drunk" said Jones
3 succinctly.
4 The heavy front door closed with
8, bang at that instant and the sound
< footsteps came from the hall-a quicl
g firm tread that had decision in it.
Al Jones cast furtive. nervous glane
IL over his shoulder.
II e "I'm sorry to have Mr.. Frederic Sc
Ill you like this" he said. biting his Ii
" "He hates 1t so,"
The two old men made commea
\ able effort to stand erect, but no {
j fort to stand alone. They linkt
\ arms and stood shoulder to shoulde
Ih SHOW him in" said Mr.. Riggs, ma
LII niicently.
/ Now we'll find out wass in tel
Nm gram off briny Deep" said Mr.. DAVE
40 spraddling his legs little Earth
- apart in order to declare stan'
front.
TITS worth waiting up for" said N
Riggs.
Absolutely" said his stauneh frier
Frederic Brood appeared In t
door, stopping short just inside t
heavy curtains. There was a momt
tary picture, such as stage direct
a. would have arranged. He was 81
wearing his silk hat and top-coat, a
one glove had been halted in
zen process of removal. Young Bro
to stared at the group of three. fra
re- stare Of amazement. A crooked SIN
ed. came to his lips.
attn Somewhat later than usual, ! sc
ne he said, and the glove came of wit
tbs jerk. Whats the matter, Jones?
MS bellion?"
not "No, sir. It's the wireless, sir"
an; "Wireless?" -
He "Briny Deep" said Mr.. Dav
airs vaguely pointing.
ne "oh," said young Brood, cross
use slowly to the table. He picked up
'lth envelope and looked at the insc
the ton. oh" said he again, in q
10 different tone on seeing that 1t
age addressed to him. From father
the dare say" he went on, a ine line
ana pearing between bis eyebrows.
70 The old men leaned forward, FL
Seu, their blear eyes upon the missive.
anu anu Les hear the worst. Freddy"
oart Mr.. Riggs.
a@l' The young man ran his finger III
. the flap and deliberately drew out
~ message. There ensued another
80 ture AS he read his eyes wide
a., Id ArY,n w