The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-10-07
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gry," he stammered distractedly. Tn
going out for q while, Mary. Stay
around close please. and see that
that everything's all right upstairs"
"Aaint nobody going to eat" be-
gan Martha, almost In a state OF COLI
lapse.
He was flying down the steps and
across the lawn, leaving Mary In the
doorway looking after him with
troubled, uneasy eyes. She saw him
vault the wall and make off in the d.
rection of Jabez Cars cottage. After
moment she turned to Martha.
II shan't disappoint you, Martha, I'm
hungry. Come along" IL.
That was always the way with
Mary. She was philosopher. She
Providence--or luck7 Meanwhile, she
was hungry. .. ....-
Her brother made straight for old
Jabe's cottage. Somehow, he felt In
need of an old friend--one who could
lie to him joyously. He suddenly was
longing for the yainglorious lies that
had charmed his boyhood fancy, even
though he knew them to be lies. He
wanted to hear something beside the
truth. The truth was an ugly thing
a very ugly thing. Why do people ever
tell the truth? His soul hungered for
lies-the gay. delightful lies that old
Jabe could tell. Harmless lies, they
could hurt no one, not even the teller
Of them. ...
Uncle Jabe was smoking his pipe on
the doorstep, and gently but quite
audibly berating q squirrel which re-
fused to eat out OF his hand, q most
insulting thing for O. squirrel to do, TX
one could Judge by the scornful re-
marks OF the gate keeper.
"Hello!" he called out In his cracked
voice to Eric as the young man un-
latched the gate. Somewhat summar-
lily, he cast a handful Of peanuts at the
very head OF the astonished~ squirrel,
and hobbled over to meet his visitor.
Dang little fool Of an idiot" he COM
planned, as a final opinion Of the sour
rylng quaaruped. "Starve, II you want
to-" This in the face OF thoughtless
prodigality: Well well well: Erie Eric 1T, I'm
keepin' yourself?"
Eric wrung the gnarled old paw.
Presently they were sitting side by side
on the bench, leaning back against the
wall of the cottage.
Uncle Jabe, / wish you'd tell me
that story again Of the fight you had
with the pirates who held Lady lmo-
best thing you ever did. Tell 1t once
more"
Jabez scratched his head, blinking
his faded little eyes in considerab Bile
surprise and embarrassment He
coughed rather dismally. 'I--I can't
Jest exactly place that-Oh, yes,
know the one. But you see, Eric, that
was the most gosh all whacking lie Of
all"
Never mind. That's Just why
want to hear 1t. Go on, please"
The ancient regarded him specula-
lively. "You are Jest like teeny little
kid. They're always Rslxin' you to tell
the same story over and over ag'in."
I'm kind Of lonesome, just for one
said Eric. rather plaintively Don't
tell me a true one"
"By ginger, / amt got any true
ones" exclaimed Jabez, very truthfully.
"Leastwise, can't remember the true
ones. My memory Amt what 1t used
to be. Come to that, I'm DANCED II 1
believe / can recollect the lies either.
It's powerful unhandy to have to re-
member what's lies AMI what amt"
But the one about Lady lmogen was
a fine one"
Jabez was racking his brain. "It
must ha' BEEN" he unused sadly.
That's why it's slipped my mind.
Who was she? mean, this here Lady
Imogen you're talkin' about"
"The daughter of the Earl Of Gay
stone" supplied the grown up child.
"Um," said Jabez uncomfortably.
She couldn't ha' been. There never
was a Earl Of Gaystone. Say, see that
squirrel over yonderH That blamed
little"
"Tel another one, IL you can't re-
member that one" Eric broke In. I'm
actually homesick for one OF your good
old tales. l want to go back to the old
days. Uncle Jabe."
"Somethin' gone wrong, my ladr'
EYES," said Eric, leaning his head
against the wall and staring up at the
tree tops. r..E+...
Jabez was silent for a moment.
"All right" said he gently. I'll tell
you q new one--a rip-snorter."
.s CHAPTER Xxx.