Oxford Democrat., 1915-02-23


"It sounds a very brilliant future for
you, November"
Joe was silent for a moment 1T
does, Mr.. Quaritch, he said at length
In q different tone. "And it gives me
something to think about. So they
caught Muppy all right? Him and Put
tick IL find prison a poor place after
the woods"
II can feel for them," said /, "for l
am leaving the woods tomorrow my
self. I musv get back to Quebec"
"Huh, yes! There's no call for you
to stay longer"
"As to that you'll be here for quite
awhile yourself
He made no reply, and when turn
ed from the window to look at him he
was lying with his eyes closed, and,
thinking he was tired, left him.
At the end Of the south veranda was
situated q small detached room which
we had turned into q workshop, and
early the same afternoon l went
around there to repair favorite fish
ing rod. The veranda was empty as
passed through 1t, but presently Peter
sham joined me.
"That fellow November Joe is an In
fernal foolr' he said presently. "He
Is a dolt without an ounce Of ambi-
tonr'
"In his own sphere began.
"He is all very well in his own
sphere, but he should try to rise
above It."
"He has done uncommonly well for
himself so far" said. "He has made
good use of his brains and his expert
ence. In his own way he Is very, very
capable"
"That is true enough, but he has got
about as far as he can 90 without help.
As you say, he has done all this for
himself. Now, am ready to do
good deal more for him. I'll back him
in any line of business he chooses to
follow. l owe him that and more.
Heaven knows what might have hap
pened to Linda but for him."
"You owe a good deal to November"
T am we'll aware Of It," replied Pc
tersham. II am convinced I owe him
Linda's life."
Something in his tone showed me his
further meaning. I dropped my fish
ing rod and stared at him. I knew
Linda had enormous influence over her
father, but this was beyond imagina-
ton.
you'd never allow it" exclaimed.
"Why notT' he retorted angrily.
sIsn't Joe better than the Hipper
dude? Or Phil Bitsheim or than that
Italian count with his pedigree from
Noah in his pocket? Tell me, where
is she going to find man like Joe?
Why, he's got 1t in him to do things
big things-and hope I'm good enough
republican not to see the injustice Of
mailing a fellow down to the spot
where he was born"
"But November would never dare
look so high! He's modest"
"Hell get over that!'
"I doubt it." said. Besides, you
are reckoning without Linda. How
do you know that she"-
Naturally 1 don't know for sure
about Linda" he answered shortly;
then, glancing at his watch, he got up.
"Just about time to get my mall
ready"
We had been speaking in low tones,
for the subject Of our conversation
naturally did not lend itself to loud
talk, and besides, during the last quar-
| ter Of an hour or 30 murmur Of
| voices from the, verandah had warn
ed us to be careful. We had not shut
the door leading to the veranda, as 1t
was the only one, and we needed 1t
open for light and air. Petersham
walked toward 1t, but, instead Of step
ping out, he turned and laid hand
like wise on my arm.
"Quiet! Quiet for your life! he
whispered. "She must never know
we were herev''
But, Joe, you're mistaken, Joe.
wish itw It was Linda's voice, shy
and trembling as had never heard 1t.
"Ah, that's all your great goodness,
Miss Linda, and haven't earned none
Of It."
pointed frantically to the door. We
must shut that door and shut out those
voices, but Petersham swore at me
under his breath.
Darn, you know those hinges
| M ho
helped, for it would kill her to know
we heard word Of this"
We crept away into the farthest cor
ner of the workshop, but even there
phrases floated to us, though merciful-
ly we could not hear all.
"But father would help you, for you
know you are genius, Joe."
"All I could ever do lies in the woods,
Miss Linda; woodsways is the whole
Of 1t. A yard outside the wood and
the meanest chap bred on the streets
could beat me easy. I can't thank you
nor Mr.. Petersham the way I'd like to,
! for my tongue Is slow" Here bis
voice fell.
But II you, hate the city life 30
much you must not go to the city" 1t
was Linda again. Live your life In
the woods. I love the woods too"
"The woods Is bleak and black
enough to them that's not born among
the trees. Them that's lived outside
allus wants more, Miss Linda"
A long interval followed before the
voices became audible again.
"Oh, no, no, Joe!
Petersham clutched my arm once
more at the sound.
you're 20 young, Miss. Linda, you
don't know. I'd give my right hand
to believe different, but I can't. 1t
wouldn't be best-not for you"
November's tone moved me more
than Linda's passion. He was q man