The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-09-14
CHAPTER XIII.
Lives and Souls.

Lives ana souls.
Willett got Though the next morning
somehow, and as soon as he could tell
at just what hour he would be ready
Tor lunch, telephoned Stacey's. The
luncheon table would be an excellent
place for the dreaded discussion with
his son.
he was informed that young Mr..
Willett had not been in the office OF
Stacey's that morning. Willett got
Stacey himself on the wire.
"No, john" said Stacey, Francis
didn't come down this morning. They
telephoned from your house that he
was H."
Willett had. then, left home before
his son was out OF bed. He called
the house. Mr. Francis had been gone
an hour. He had taken the big tour
ing car. Wiilets perturbation In
creased as the day wore on. he heard
nothing Of his son for another twenty
four hours. And when he did
1t was harvest time at Thomas
earm. From the fields came the clat-
ter of the machines. Sam had put on
extra hands. and Mrs. Brown came up
from the cottage to help with the added
burden OF cooking for The workers.
Little Dick Brown played about the
dooryard
With a snort a great, black touring
car came tearing into the Thomas
driveway. The chickens and little
Dick scattered, but the latter had a
narrow escape. He set up a loud
scream of terror, and the women came
running to the door.
Francis Willett. at the steering
wheel bowed with an exaggerated
courtesy.
Good morning, ladies'" he said Jo-
vially. 81 trust you are very well this
morning"
Martha surveyed the visitor with the
flshy eye OF suspicion. She had known
another genial soul, whose geniality
had been enhanced by alcohol. She
could unerrlngly tell the genuine from
the imitation. So her greeting to Fran
els was not of the heartiest.
"Nir dear Mrs. Thomas" said the
young man suavely. but with just the
slightest trace OF n thickened accent,
''I will not trespass upon your time
merely wanted to fill my radiator
You can. am sure, spare me a little
water for the purposeY
Help yourself" said Martha
''there's a bucket at the well"
Francis got down. and his condition
became more apparent; for his walk
was not so fluent as his speech. He
lowered the bucket solemnly but un-
steadily into the well.
"Hey, there" cried a hearty voice,
'lemme help you"
II was Lem Brown. He was drenched
with perspiratlon from head to foot.
His face streamed.
ITS a tur'ble hot day I'm the field"
he said. Them boys drinks up the
water bout 3 fast as it's brought to
'em."
Francis Willett did not know Lem
Brown, except by reputation, as Mary
Ahee's father, and an assistant OF
Sam Thomas. Lem had never seen
Francis, or did not remember him II he
had He filed a dipper from the
bucket and drank eagerly.
"Aly friend" said the young man.
II have here something that would
make your water more palatable." He
pulled a flask from his pocket
mot on your life" refused Lem.
''Me and John Barleycorn's never been
friends. lie threw me down; now I've
done with him forever; yes. slrreeP'
lie set hls dlpper on the wellcurb
and went to unscrewing the radiator
cap. "rH an her up for ye." he said
Martha and Mrs. Brown had gone
back TO the boiling pot and the baking
oven. Little Dick. drawn by n child's
curiosity, stood near by and saw Mr.
Wiilett play q funny joke on the elder
Brown When LENS back was turned
Mr.. Willett emptied half the contents
Of bis flask into LENS dipper, after
which he added water Lem screwed
on The cap. returned to the well, and
picked the dipper up.
Beats oll how thirsty 7 be-" he
said, and without taking breath
poured most of the liquid down his
throat lie must have swallowed n
pint before he suddenly stopped. He
held the dipper iu his large hand and
contemplated if stupidity
Funny laafin' water" he said. Then
ne looked up 40 Francis. who was
trlnning in genial appreciation OF a
good joke Into LENS brain crepl
realization TIe stared. horror stricken
a. the smiling face OF his betrayer.
"Wl iskyr said Lem. The liquor had