Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-11-10
CHAPTER XXI1-(Continued.)

ike in character. but entirely foreign
to each other. In one instance it was
the devoted loyalty of Joan Bright to
Eric Midthorne; in the other, the sur
prising devotion Of Mary Midthorne to
the sick man in the Widow Payson's
outage. There was no speculation as
10 the attitude Of Miss Bright, but in
some quarters wonder was expressed
wei Mary's behavior. Corinth, in
ignorance of the real situation, found
some difficulty in satisfying itself as to
Pm imaginary one. OF course, it was
known that Mary and JON were in
ove with each other, but that was no
reason why she should devote SO much
sf her time to Adam Carr. outsider. The
nan could not be moved, but as there
we're W nurses in the house to at
lend to him. with doctors making daily
visits. it was not reasonable to suppose
that Mrs. Payson dependent on Mary
Tor assistance. Moreover, Corinth was
still unable to make out whether Adam
vas friendly to Mary's brother. In any
event, he was distinctly at odds with
Horace Blagden, which was ONE
thing.
Before the end of the week. Adam
Carr recovered the power Of speech.
II was hopelessly paralyzed from the
waist down. At first he spoke with an
effort. but his indomitable will power
overcame the impeachment; he arti-
culated slowly but clearly. His mind
was clear n active. He required the
truth Of the doctors. Getting it, he
philosophical:
There's no sense in your waiting
here. Jack. l nay hang on for 10
years. Doctors can't tell anything
about It, but I'm UGH q tenacious in
dividual that it's not likely that I'll
give up the ghost without a long fight.
OF course, I ought to be sensible and
quit right now. Better for you, better
TOR me. better for Mrs. Payson, better
for everybody, IL I could pass on to-
night, but I guess 1t won't be SO easy
% that. Nothing has ever been real
eesy for me. Even this won't be easy.
i I were you, I'd get back to New
York and business. I'll be lying here
u you can find the time week ends, to
come and see your mother and Mary.
rest Will do me good. AS o won
hear to be being removed to a hospital
. and your mother won't either, I guess
I'll have to stay where I'm put. In a
week or two l a be wheeled about in
? chair. 80 it won't be SO bad. Now
ermly in your mind. So far as the
world Is concerned, I am never to be
anything, more to you than Mr.. Adam.
That's h v been for 80 years.
I've said I was anthing else. I
never will, not even to you. It won't
NeS SAAO WIN GNAAy W AOOR O1
ing your. daddy is out there in the At
lantic, and that your mother is here
Instead Of up there in the little grave
yard at Gloucester. Horace Blagden,
much as he'd like to, can't rake either
Of them up. He only suspects half the
Lucy Barlow. Your mother here won't
mind being mother to you right or
wrong, till she dies. So just you go
on thinking Of me as Mr.. Adam. your
best friend, and I'll keep on being your
best friend. ALI the kings horses and
me. When it comes time for me to
die. n I know 1t, I may ask you to
put your ear close to my lips SO that
I can whisper 1t to you, but it won't
be till then. and it won't be for an
body else's ear. There's only n 9TH
er person that must be told. Eric's got
to know 1t before o make Mary
your wife.
But In not going to make her my
wife" said his son gently but firmly.
"oh, yes; You are" said Adam de-
I'm not as good as Philip Midthorne
was. but Lucy Barlow was as good as
most Of the Blagdens. Don't forget
that. my lad. Ask your mother. She
knew her."
ASK my mother!" repeated John
Payson, with a bitter smile.
II didn't mean 1t to sound funny,
Jack" said Adam humbly.
A day or two later, old Jabez hob
bled up to see his son He stood at the
bedside. peering quizzically at the oc-
cupant, on whose lips there was a dis
torted grin of welcome.
well. father. how are your
Just $3.50. ADAM" replied the
ancient.
rheumatism any better?"
Some"
There vas a period Of silent regard.
Then old Jabez found the words he
wanted.
"It's a blamed shame. Adam. 1 don't
geo why the good Lord didn't do this
to me, stead Of you. It wouldn't he
made any difference II It had been me,
but-but 1t don't seem right for you to
be lynn here like this an me skippin'
about as spry as aver. It don't seem
Eighty odd last January. Dang it.
you amt even 60. That's why it's
wrong"
"No." said Adam, your 80 odd years
proves it to be right. Nature makes
US pay as we go. You haven't n
scores to settle with nature. That's
Why you're SO odd and spry. And. now.
how are the squirrels"
WELL" said Jabez. taking the chat
that had been placed for him. they're
gettin' 30 blamed fresh that there amt
no Twin with EN-. The whole caboodle
Of 'em got in the house yesterday When
they didn't find that barril Of peanuts
you sent down last month. When I
woke up, by gosh. I couldn't hardly
rot out Of the door Ter peanut shells.
Fust I thought thered bee q sudden
snowstorm. but they cracked 20 loud
couldn't be that. Then I got to the
door and seen ham fool critters settin'