Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-10-06
IIII llII IN
he said, but not today. It's too late

Martha, the life long servant in the
house. was coming own the stairs.
Dinners been waiting nearly an
hour, Miss Mary she said peevishly.
"Everything's spoilt, and it's Sunday,
too. l knocked on their door twice, but
Mr.. Horace says, without opening, to
never mind, they won't be down, but
for you young folks to go on eating.
Do hurry. Belinda's mad as she en- be.
1 ont blame her either. It's terrible
to be-Why, Mr.. Eric, you surely
can't be going out now!"
Eric had grabbed up his hat-an old
SLOUGH hat instead of the tall silk one
he a worn to church-and was strid-
ing toward the porch.
Il can't eat anything-Tm not hum
gry," he stammered distractedly. I'm
going out for a while, Mary. Stay
around close, please. and see that
that everything's all right upstairs"
"Aain't nobody going to eat" be-
a Martha, almost in a state of coll
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
rection of Jabez Carr's cottage. After
a m h turned to Martha.
II shan't disappoint you. Martha. I'm
hungry. Come along"
That was always the way with
Mary. She was a philosopher. She
was content to leave everything to
P-rovidence-or luck? 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 vainglorious 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
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 a squirrel which re-
fused to eat out of his hand, a most
insulting thing for a squirrel to do, II
could judge by the scornful re-
marks of he gate keeper.
"Hello!" he called out in his cracked
voice to Eric as h 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
Il Tylu6 VuduTupeu. 0ldEVc, IL you Wdut
to-" This in the face of thoughtless
prodigality. We'll, well. Eric. I'm
glad to see you. Where you been
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, I wish you'd tell me
that story again of the fight you had
with the pirates who held Lady lmo-
gen in captivity. That was the very
best thing you eve did. Tell it once
more"
Jabez scratched his head, blinking
his faded little eyes in considerable
surprise and embarrassment. He
coughed rather dismally. I'll can't
Jest exactly place that-Oh. yes, II
know the one. But you see. Eric, that
ALL"
Never mind. That's just why II
want to hear it. Go on, please
The ancient regarded him specula-
lively. You are jest like q teeny little
kid. They're always askin' you to tell
I'm kind Of lonesome. just for one
OF your w~hackingest ones. Uncle Jabe."
said Eric. rather p~laintively. Don't
tell me q true n
"By ginger. I amt got any true
ones" exclaimed Jabez. very truthfully.
"Leastwise. I can't remember the true
ones. My memory amt what 1t used
to be. Come to that, I'm DANCED II I
believe / can recOllect the lies either.
It's powerful unhandy to have to re-
member what's Hes and what ain't"
But the one about Lady Imogen was
Jabes wal racking his brain. ut
must hA' been" he unused sadly.
That's why its slipped my mind.
Who was she? I mean. this here Lady