Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-05-07

S W. Nv
bears in mind the fact that they signi-
fed more to James Brood than did
his l~ong-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 wal little in com-
mon between him and the man he
called father. After a 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 loneli-
ness. It required but little effort on
his part to meet his fathers indiffer-
ence with a GOODNESS quite as pro-
nounced; he had never known the
meaning Of f1lial love; he had been
taught by word Of mouth to love the
man he had never seen, and he had
learned as one learns astronomy-by
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 he
had been ordered away, once with the
Jnint odpnAnttiAr k0 tvNtnd hfo aWn
business"
"But 1t is nearly midnight" pro-
tested Jones irritably, with a glance
at the almost empty decanter.
Jones'" said Danbury Dawes, with
great dignity and IN eye that de-
ceived him to such a degree that he
could not for the life Of him under
stand why Jones was attending them
in pairs. Zones, you ought to be in
hic-bed, d-n you-both Of you. Wha'
you mean, sir, by coming in-hic-
here thish time O. night dis-disturb-
ing"
you Internal ingrate," broke In Mr..
Riggs fiercely, don't you dare to touch
that bottle, sir. Let 1t %alone!"
Its time you were In bed" pro
nounced Jones, taking Mr.. Dawes by
the arm. Mr.. Dawes sagged heavily
} in his chair and grinned triumphantly
He was a short, very fat old
Take him to bed, JONES'" said Mr.
Riggs firmly. Hes drunk and and
utterly useless at a time like this
Take him along"
"Who the dev-hic-il are you, sir?'
demanded MI. Dawes, regarding Mr.
Riggs as IL he had never seen him
before.
You are both drunk" said Jones
succinctly.
The heavy front door closed with q
bang at that instant and the sound OF
footsteps came from the hall-a quick
firm tread that had decision in It.
Jones east a furtive, ervou glance
over his shoulder.
"I'm sorry to have Mr.. Frederic see
you like this" he said. biting his lip
HI hates 1t So"
The two old men made a commend
able effort to stand erect, but no ef
fort to stand alone. They linked
arms and stood shoulder to shoulder
Show him in." said Mr.. Riggs. mag
%nificently.
Now we'll find out wass in tele
gram off briny Deep" said Mr.. Dawes
I spraddling his legs a little farther
apart in order to declare a stanct
front.
ITS worth waiting up for" said Mr.
Riggs.
Absolutely" said his staunch friend
Frederic Brood appeared in tn,
door, stopping short Just inside thu
heavy curtains. There was a momen
tary picture. such al a stage directoi
, would have arranged. He was still
wearing his silk hat and top-coat, ant
one glove had been halted In tn,
process Of removal. Young Broo,
D stared at the group Of three, a franl
: stare Of amazement. A crooked smil,
came to his lips.
! Somewhat later than usual, l see,
. he said, and the glove came of with
! jerk. What's the matter. Jones! Re
!. bellion?"
: mo, sir. It's the wireless. sir"
"WirelessT"
"Briny Deep" said Mr.. Dawes
: vaguely pointing.
: "Oh." said young Brood, crossin,
slowly to the table. He picked up tn,
envelope and looked at the inscrir
ton. "Oh." said he again, in quit,
a different tone on seeing that It wa
!, addressed to him. from father,
, dare say" he went on, a fne line ar
!. pearing between his eyebrows.
The old men leaned forward. fxin,
: their blear eyes upon the missive.
: Les hear the worst, Freddy" sal,
: Mr.. Riggs.
!, The young man a his finger unde
, the flap and deliberately drew out tn
t message. There ensued another pic
Q ture. AS he read his eyes wideneI
q and then contracted; his firm youn,
Jaw became set and rigid. Suddenl
+: Ia short, bitter execration fell fror
his lips and the paper crumpled in hi
r hand. Without another word, h
/: strobe to the fireplace and tossed 1
upon the Goals. 1t flared for a sec
ond and was waited up the chimney.
xL.--od Ran61w, A1l--