Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-08

ERIC SpIdnS 10 his IeeC Win u cry, IlOIo
OF relief than surprise.
Uncle Horace!"
Involuntarily Mary glanced at the
clock on the mantelpiece. The thought
uppermost in her mind was revealed
in that significant act. What was Hor-
ace Blagden doing abroad at this time
OF night? At $3.50, n such a night as
this! She started forward impulsively:
What has happened, Uncle Horace?"
she cried. These were the first words
she had spoken to him in many weeks.
May I come in?" asked Horace,
rather humbly-for him. He looked
thinner. more ascetic than ever before,
White kerchief that protected his throat
from the shrill winds. His tall hat
seemed to set lower On his head; his
thin shoulders were higher; his eyes
appeared to have shrunken farther
back into their sockets. A dripping
umbrella hung suspended from his
gloved hand.
He seemed to have aged vastly in the
few hours that had passed since Eric's
conversation with him in the public
square
h young man sprang forward and
aroused to a sense of duty-and COM
passion. Mr.. Blagden stepped inside,
out, responding to the habit of a life
time. caught himself up in time, and
turned to deposit his umbrella in the
niche outside the door. which he closed
gently an instant later.
lis there anything wrong with Aunt
Rena?' demanded Eric. What brings
Q U on a night like this?"
~ shan't remove my coat, Mary"
said Mr.. Blagden, as she took his hat
and stood waiting for him to unfasten
the cape OF his coat: ut Is a dreadful
night. I thought I should be blown
away crossing the common. How
warm N cosey you have made 1t here.
Pom my word. I had no idea Mrs. YER
ner,s place was so attractive"
III down. Uncle" said Eric, pull
ing a chair up to the CRATE. "T-we are
glad to see you here" he floundered,
considerably at a loss for words.
Thank you" said Horace. "Perhaps
IT would be better If I removed my coat.
An umbrella is of scant service on a
night like this. what with the wind
blowing and the rain coming from all
Sides"
Eric relieved him of the coat. while
Mary undid the muffler. To their
amazement. he wore, instead of the
customary frock coat, the familiar old
dressing gown they had known since
childhood. With one accord, they
looked at his feet. They were encased
m the ancient carpet slippers that
Aunt Rena had mad for him a score
of years before, once a toasted brown.
now a water soaked black.
For heaven j sake!" cried Mary
aghast.
Noting their concentrated gaze, he
looke down. For a moment he was
silent. Then he sat down rather an
ruptly in the big chair.
well. IL declared" he m%urn,ured.
nkin his eyes. Il hadn't noticed
They did not wait for him to finish
the platnttve comment on his own UNI
happy plight Mary gave commands,
stockings n slippers for him. He sub
nitted to- the changes without a pro-
test, and even smiled when she pro-
duced a huge pair of gum boots from
the hall closet.
You will catch your death-cold," she
SAID. How could you think of coming
out in those slippers, Uncle Horace?
They"
His smile depended. "That's lust 1t.
my dear" he said. II didn't think of
coming out in them. Dear me, IL
Bu1, OF course. l was In a great-hurry.
beyond the porch in these slippers be-
fore. You are very good, both of you.
Very good"
They stood above him, looking down
with puzzled, distressed eyes. both sud-
denly mute in the presence OF what now
AAASO a d6OOy
Mr.. Blagden held out his hands to
the fire. shivering as with a chill. Then
ne allowed his gaze to sweep the warm,
lamp-lit room.
You are very comfortable here. I am
sonesa ne said a b slowly my,d as 1--WE Il weighing
Portable and happy in your own little
home"
Yes" said they. without thinking.
his shoulders seemed to settle deep
er In he chair, his chin sank ever SO
Tt fear. then. that my mission to-
night is-er-ahem!-a rather hopeless
one. II you will help me on with those
boots. Eric I win go back to your
"In heavens name. Uncle Horace.
what has h~appeded?" cried Eric. What
Mr.. Blagden locked from one to the
other before responding. There was
something ab5ectly pathetic In his face.
He gulped. and his arm square chin
ltrembled.
effort Msl! ~ c. .e:'o OVER he t ssf ! With q -. an
you both to come back to-to1s He got
no farther. His voice choked and tears
started up In his eyes-eyes that had
not felt the smart Of tears since boy.
The Midthorne0, In that moments
utter crumbling on the part OF the
great man Of Corlnth, felt the passing
lof Q life long spirit OF antagoniom and
restraint. Il melted and ooxed away,
leaving their hearts empty. and aching,
ana cleansed OF al tho things that
They wers young and strong. and
their souls were sweet despite the bit-
ter seeds that this gaunt old man had
! planted In his years Of plenty. Now he
vas come to his days Of famine. He had