Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-10-07
lIII IN lIII

cry" he stammered distractedly. I'm
going out for a while. Mary. Stay
around close. please, n see that
that everything's all right upstairs
"Aain't nobody going to eat" be-
gan Martha, almost in a state of col
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
a the wall and make off in the di-
rection of Jabez Cars cottage. After
a moment she turned to Martha.
Il 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
Providence-or luck? Meanwhile, she
was hungry.
Her brother made straight for old
Jabe's cottage. Somehow, he felt In
need Of an old f~riend--one who could
lie to him joyously. He suddenly was
longing for h vainglorious lies that
a 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
q very ugly thing. Why do people ever
tell the truth? His soul hungered for
lies-the gay, delightful lies that old
1 co1S SoHia ILL., "a IilcSS llCSs 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, IT
one could judge by the scornful re-
marks of the gate keeper.
"Hello!" he called out in his cracked
voice to Eric as the young man un-
latched the gate. Somewhat
lily, he cast a handful Of peanuts at the
very head of the %astonished squirrel,
and hobbled " e. to meet his visitor.
Dang little fool of an idiot" he COM
planned, as a fina opinion Of the sour
rying quadruped. "Starve, If you want
to-" This in the face of thoughtless
p~rodigality. well. 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 Imo-
gen In captivity. That was the very
best thing you ever did. Tell 1t once
more"
Jabez scratched his head, blinking
Lis AudSa iitliO eyes III considerable
surprise and embarrassment. He
coughed rather dismally. II can't
Jest exactly place that-Oh, yes, 1
know the me-. But you see, Eric, that
the most notwithstanding lie of
ALL"
Never mind. That's just why 1
want to hear 1t. Go on, please"
The ancient regarded him specula-
lively. You are jest like a teeny little
kid. They're always askin' you to tell
the same story oyer and over ag'in."
I'm kind of lonesome. just for one
of your w~hackingest ones, Uncle Jabe,"
said Eric. rather plaintively. Don't
tell me q true one."
BY ginger, | amt got any true
exclaimed Jabez, very truthfully.
"~Leastwise, | can't remember the true
My memory amt what 1t used
to be Come to that, I'm DANCED If II
believe l can recollect the lies either.
It's powerful unhandy to have to re-
member what's lies and what amt"
But the n about Lady Imogen was
a fine one"
Jabez was racking his brain. ut
must ha' been.' he unused sadly.
That's why it's slipped my mind.
Who was she? l mean, this here Lady
Imogen you're tallsin' about"
THE daughter Of the Earl Of Cay
stone" supplied the grown-up child.
CA, Saiu Jdpe1 ncOmIortabIy
She couldn't ha' been. There never
was a Earl Of Gaystone. Say. see that
squirrel over yonder? That blamed
little
Tell, another one. il you can't re-
member that one" Eric broke In. I'm
actually homesick for one Of your good
Did tales. / want to go back to the old
days. Uncle Jabe."
"somethin' gone wrong. my lad?"
"Yes." said Eric. leaning his head
the wall and staring up at the
tree tops.
Jabez was silent for a moment,
A right" said he gently. "Ill tell
q new one-a r.p-snorter." /
CHAPTER Xxx.