The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-04-01

&c the undecided group of theater m.
tacnes the words OF the song with
haunting mockery.
When. at In the morning. his va,et
admitted him to his apartments Killing
nad worked himself into frenzy. he
seemed obsessed with the notion thar
me Vaiet In some ingenious way was
responslole for the hideous words of
tnat song and treated him accordingly
he tossed sleeplessiy until daylight
the words OF the song pounding his
eardrums increasingly. Gradually the
whole line blended into one word
home.
"Confound that Internal asinine
wordr' 'e
irascfbiy he got up and dressed. sent
TOR his automobile. dismissed the
chauffeur and all that day motorad
alone over quiet country roads that led
through peaceful villages and over pic.
turesque hills.
one moment he would viciousiy shift
the throttle wide open. sending the car
nurtling along at a reckless pace: then.
coming quick change of mood no
would slow down sharply. lean hack
against the cushions and gaze thought
fuliy over the peaceful fields az his
machine chugged slowly along.
All the while ''Old Folks at Home
narassed him like an inexorable thing
OF chastisement
The sarcasm and mockery were stiIi
IN his face. but there was also some.
lnns else creeping in there-lines
which bespoke torment and raging
conflict.
Inat night as the prima donna an.
peared again In the famous third act
scene Killing. pale and tense, sat alone
III the deep shadows Of a box. With
eyes that burned with strange emotion
and perfect sobriety he leaned eagerly
FORWARD as II his soul were drinking In
the melody through eyes and ears.
Again was the singer recalled repeat.
edly. AS she appeared for the fifth en-
core and the orchestra had started In
ON a lively prelude to some Scotch air
dililng. MS voice strangely hoarse and
shaken. called out. "Suwanee Riverr'
instantly the call was taken up en-
Enthusiastically all over the house A
wave OF applause shook the theater.
With smile the prima donna nodded
to the orchestra leader, and moment
later the rich. clear voice of the singer
was clarifying the old folks at home.
Hlll1ng was as tense and motionIess
as man of stone. Precipitation damp
ened his forehead: his dry lips stood
apart; wide eyed. he clinched his nails
Into bis hands. His very soul seemed
thing detached that 6oated upward
with the melody of the song.
With indescribable pathos and ex
preston, her voice low and trembling.
the singer paused; then Far from the
old folks at home" fioated out and I'D
ward Ike benediction. 1t was grand.
dramatic. gloriousl
something like a sob surged ND into
Killings throat His eyes blurred.
The following morning early be dis
charged his valet and chauffeur, sold
his machine. resigned from his club
gave up his apartments and packed his
trunk. Then. his passing as unobtru
sive as his advent had been vainglo
rious. he dropped completely out OF
sight
Two years later and four years after
the stormy scene with his father Rich
ard Killing again crossed the threshold
OF that grim gentleman's office.
Inside the door he waited respect
fully while the stern faced, gray hair
ed head of the great steel works I'm
ished the signing of certain papers be
fore him on his tiat mahogany desk.
Pausing. pen suspended. the elder
Killing glanced up briskly.
"Well?'
u wish to speak to you on behalf OF
the men. sir"
The other gave a start and leaned
forward. You why Richard why
He could say no more For a time
he stared into the marvelously chang
ed face In silence. Slowly his apprais-
ing glance travelled downward, taking
In every detail Of the sons clothing
and lingering wonderingly on the big.
grimy hands. Again he spoke
hoarsely.
What does the condition Of my EN-.
ployees matter to your"
"a great deal am one OF them.
and ! find they are underpaid."
zone OF themr Skepdcism and as
constituent gave varying infections to
his tone Of voice. Zone OF themf
What do you mean by thatr'
Just that For two full years
have worked out there In the shops.
began at the very bottom know
whereof ! speak"
Again the father surveyed the son In
silence, searching his face long and
critically. Slowly look Of conviction
crept into his face. softening 1t and
paving the way for one Of great hope
and qualification. Then. smiling. he
pulled out his lips In mild reproof.
"Then-er-you did not observe my