The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-10


them-iustifably so, no doubt, if one
bears in mind the fact that they signi-
fed more to James Brood than did
his long-neglected son.
The cold reserve that extended to
the young man did not carry beyond
him in relation to any other member
OF the household so far as James
Brood was concerned. The unhappy
boy, early in their acquaintance, came
to realize that there was little in COM
mon between him and the man he
called father After a while the eager
light died out Of his own eyes and he
no longer strove to encourage the in
innate relations he had counted upon
as a part of the recompense for so
many years Of separation and loneli-
ness. 1t required but little effort on
his part to meet his fathers indiffer-
ence with a coldness quite as pro-
nounced; he had never known the
meaning Of fIial love; he had been
taught by word of mouth to love the
man he had never seen, and he had
| learned as one learns astronomy-by
calculation. He hated the two old men
because his father loved them.
The patient butler, Jones, had made
no less than four visits to the library
since ten o'clock to awaken them and
pack them off to bed Each time he
had been ordered away, once with the
joint admonition to mind his OWL
business"
But it is nearly midnight" pro
tested Jones irTitably, with a glance
at the almost empty decanter.
Jones'" said Danbury Dawes, with
great dignity and an eye that de
ceived him to such a degree that he
could not for the life Of him under
stand why Jones was attending them
in pairs, Zones, you ought to be in
hic-bed, d-n you-both Of you. VIVA
you mean, sir, by coming in-hic-
here thish time o. night dis-disturb
ing"
you Internal migrate" broke in Mr.
Riggs fercely, don't you dare to touch
that bottle, sir. Let it alone!"
It's time you were in bed" pro
nounced Jones, taking Mr.. Dawes By
the arm. Mr.. Dawes sagged heavil!
in his chair and grinned triumphantly
He was a short, very fat old man.
Take him to bed, JONES'" said Mr.
Riggs firmly. Hes drunk and-anC
Take him along"
'Who the dev-hic-il are you, sir?'
demanded Mr.. Dawes, regarding Mr.
Riggs as if he had never seen hin
before.
You are both drunk" said Jones
succinctly.
The heavy front door closed with 1
bang at that instant and the sound o
footsteps came from the haIl-a quick
firm tread that had decision in it.
Jones cast a furtive, nervous gIanct
over his shoulder.
I'm sorry to have Mr.. Frederic Sc,
you like this he said, biting his liz
"He hates it So"
The two old men made a commend
able effort to stand erect, but no et
arms and stood shoulder to shoulder
SHOW him in" said Mr.. Riggs, mag
nifcently.
Nov Wen find out wass in te1e
gram of briny Deep" said Mr.. Dawes
! sETaddling his legs a little farthe
apart in order to declare a stancl
front
Its worth waiting up for" said MI
Riggs.
Absolutely" said, his staunch friend
Frederic Brood appeared in tn
door. stopping short just inside tn
heavy curtains. There was a momeI
tary picture, such as a stage directo
. would have arranged. He was sti
wearing his silk hat and top-coat, an
one glove had been halted in tn
l process of removal. Young Broo
} stared at the group of three, a fran
: stare of amazement. A crooked smil
: came to his lips.
l Somewhat later than usual, 1 see,
: he said, and the glove came OF with
) jerk. Whats the matter, Jones? R,
bellion?"
No. sir. It's the wireless, sir"
; Wireless ?''
"Briny Deep" said Mr.. DAVE
vaguely pointing.
"Oh." said young Brood, crossin
: slowly to the table He picked up tn
l envelope and looked at the inscriI
ton. "Oh," said he again, in quit
a different tone on seeing that it wa
| II.
: dare say" he went on, a fne line a
pearing between his eyebrows
The old men leaned forward, fxiu
= their bIear eyes upon the missiVe.
: Les hear the worst. Freddy sal
= Mr.. Riggs.
The young man ran his finger undo
: the flap and deliberately drew out Ii
= message There ensted another pi
O ture As he read his eyes widene
o and then contracted; his firm your
+ Jaw became set and rigid. SUDDEN
/. short, bitter execration fell fro
= his lips and the paper crumpled in b
r hand Without another word, 1
): strobe TO the fireplace and tossed
/ upon the Goals. 1t fared for a sc
Y ond and was waited up the chimney,
s. charred, feathery thing.
d Without deigning to notice the tv
-. annlv noi1fad ont from fha stan