The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-16

tnem-1uSt1hably so, no doubt, III on
bears in mind the fact that they signi
fed more to James Brood than dis
his long-neglected son.
The cold reserve that extended tt
the young man did not carry beyond
him in relation to any other membe'
of the household so far as Jane,
. 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 ht
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 part of the recompense for sc
many years of separation and loneli
ness. 1t required but little effort or
his part to meet his fathers indiffer
ence with GOODNESS quite as pro
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
! joint admonition to mind his own
business"
But it is nearly midight," pro-
tested Jones irritably, with a glance
at the almost empty decanter.
| JONES'" said Danbury Dawes, with
| great dignity and an eye that de-
ceived him to such degree that he
+, 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. Wha'
you mean, sir, by coming in-hic-
here thish time O. night dis-disturb-
ing
You internal migrate" broke in Mr..
Riggs fiercely. don't you dare to touch
that bottle, sir. Let it 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 man.
Take him to bed, JONES'" said Mr..
Riggs firmly. He's drunk and-and
utterly useless at time like this.
Take him along"
who the dev-hic-il are you, sir?"
demanded Mr.. Dawes, regarding Mr..
Riggs as if he had never seen him
before.
You are both drunk" said Jones,
succinctly.
The heavy front door closed with a
bang at that instant and the sound of
footsteps came from the hall-a quick,
firm tread that had decision in it.
Jones cast.a furtive, nervous glance
over. his shoulder.
"I'm sorry to have Mr. Frederic see
you like this, he said, biting his lip.
HE hates it SOL
The two old men made a commend
able effort to stand erect, but no eff
fort to stand alone. They linked
arms and stood shoulder to shoulder
Show him in." said Mr.. Riggs, mag
nificently.
Now Wen find out wass in tele- |
gram off briny Deep" said M Dawes, |
spraddling his legs a little farther |
apart in order to declare a stanch |
front.
Its worth waiting up for" said Mr..
Riggs.
Absolutely" said his staunch friend.
Frederic Brood appeared in the
door, stopping short just inside the
heavy curtains. There was a momen-
tary picture, such as stage director
would have arranged. He was still
wearing his silk hat and top-coat, and
one glove had been halted in the
process of removal Young Brood
stared at the group of three, frank
stare of amazement. A crooked smile
came to his lips.
Somewhat later than usual, 1 see.'
ne said, and the glove came off with
Jerk. whats the matter, Jones? Re- !
3ellion?"
mo, sir. It's the wireless, sir" /;
"Wireless?"
"Briny Deep" said Mr.. Dawes, !
vaguely pointing. l
"Oh," said young Brood, crossing t
lowly to the table. He picked up the t
Envelope and looked at the inscrip- S
ion. "Oh." said he again, in quite |
different tone on seeing that it was
ddressed to him. From father,
are say" he went on, fine line ap- t
earring between his eyebrows. r
The old men leaned forward, fixing S
heir blear eyes upon the missive. o
Les hear the worst. Freddy said |,
fr Riggs. Il
The young man ran his finger under a
1e flap and deliberately drew out the a
iessage There engued another pic
Ire. As he read his eyes widened Il
nd then contracted; his firm young q
NV became set and rigid. Suddenly 81
short, bitter execration fell from a.
Is lips and the paper crumpled In his o.
and Without another word, he n
rode to the fireplace and tossed 1t b
pom the Goals. 1t flared for sec "
i'd and was waited up the chimney, 81
barred, feathery thing. "
without deigning to notice the two "