The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-09


! but, responding 10 the habit Of q life
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
Rena?" demanded Eric. What brings
you out on night like this9"
II shan't remove my coat, Mary,
said Mr.. Blagden. as she took his hat
and stood waiting for him to unfasteli
the cape OF his coat. 1T Is a dreadful
night. / thought I should be blown
away crossing the common. How
warm and cosey you have made II here.
Pom my word. had no idea Mrs. Yer
| ner's place was so attractive"
"Sit down. Uncle" said Eric, pull
Ing chair UP to the CRATE. I've are
| glad to see you here" he noundered
considerably at loss for words.
Thank YOU" said Horace. Perhaps
| II would be be Ster II removed my coat
An umbrella Is OF scant service on q
night like this, what with the wind
| sides" .-. ...f..
Eric relieved him of the coat. while
Mary undid the muffler To their
amusement he wore. instead of the
customary frock coat, the familiar old
dressing gown they had known since
| ShnunOou. Win one accord, tney
looked at his feet. They were encased
In the ancient carpet slippers that
Aunt Rena had made for him a score
| or years before, once a toNtedf brown,
now water soaked black.
For heavens sake!" cried Mary
aghast
Noting their concentrated gaze, he
looked down. For moment he was
silent. Then he sat down rather alb
ruptly In the big chair.
We'll. IL declared" he murmured,
blink ing his eyes. II hadn't noticed
They did not walt for him to finish
the plaintive comment on his own un-
happy plight Mary gave commands,
and both set about to provide warm
stockings and slippers for him. He sub
mitted to the changes without a pro-
| test, and even smiled when she pro-
duced q 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. II didn't think Of
coming out In them. Dear me, IL
But, OF course. ] was In a great hurry.
beyond the porch In these slippers be-
fore You are very good, both Of you.
Very good"
They stood above him, looking down
with puzzled, distressed eyes, both sud-
denly mute In the presence Of what now
shaped itself into tragedy.
Mr.. Blagden helGrout his hands to
the fire, shivering as with a chill. Then
he allowed his gaze to sweep the warm,
Ilamp-ht room.
you are very comfortable here, am
sure" he said slowly, as II weighing
something In his mind. Very COM
Portable and happy In your own little
home"
Yes" said they. without thinking.
His shoulders seemed to settle deep
ey In the chair, his chin sank ever so
slightly.
Il fear, then. that my mission to-
night is-er-aheml-a rather hopeless
one. If you will help me on with those
boots, Eric I will go back to your
aunt"
"In heavens name, Uncle Horace,
what has happededT" cried Eric. What
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 TOTO" He got
no farther. His voice choked and tears
started up in his eyes-eyes that had
not felt the smart 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 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 man 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
were empty. He was poor, he had come
to begI
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
Ifearlessness. 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 II he could smile as she was
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.)