The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-09-14


You GRIMM sneak. you" he roared,
t1ghtful In his rage. Little Dick
shr1eked and fed. LENS hand dropped
the dipper, and few to the rim of a
heavy, water-Soaked bucket, used for
watering the horses, and without a lost
motion he hurled the iron bound uten-
sill full at Francis Willett's head. The
sharp edge OF the bottom hoop caught
the young man just over the right ear,
and the blow was terrible. Francis
crumpled backward to the ground and
lay there, a limp body, all but dead.
The bucket went bounding and rolling
beyond the automobile.
Lem Brown turned and ran. Per
haps some thought OF escape from the
effects of what he had drunk OF the
treacherous fluid in the dipper prompt
ed this headlong flight; IL so, the hope
proved vain. The fumes of the alco-
hol mounted swiftly to his long-unac-
customed brain. He kept on running
until quite spent; but when he finally
slowed down, the poison was estab-
hshed In his racing blood. He kept on
walking until overtaken by a city
bound trolley car. This he boarded,
and was seen no more for three days.
81 was called here Unexpectedly In
consultation" said DR.. Billy Jackson,
so l thought I'd run up and see
Good heavens, man. what ails your"
He had been admitted by the serv-
ant, and now stepped across the thresh-
old OF John Willet's library. John Will
lett sat huddled in a big chair, an old,
haggard, pitiful man. He had been out
to Hillside Falls to see Francis. who.
the doctors said, was dying. The boy
had not recovered consciousness I'm the
three days following the crushing at
tack or Lem Browns Indignation.
When Jackson entered Willett got to
his feet my boy, Billy, my boy: he's
dying"
"WhereT
"At Hillside Falls, in that farmhouse.
the home OF the child you cured six or
seven years ago"
Little Sir Galahad? John, what
happened to Francis? l thought he
was in college"
due to a blow from a bucket in the
hands OF "a mailman"
Don't you think we should go to
him at once?"
What Is the use? Two doctors. the
best in Sheffield, say he cannot live"
But they may not be right Come.
John. saw your car at the door.
Take me to the boy; there is certainly
no time to spare"
A little flicker OF hope burned In
the fathers eyes, and he led Doctor
Billy to the motor During the ride to
Hillside Falls, Willett told Jackson
something Of the events leading up to
the "'tastrophe
Billy" he kept saying pit
why is It? why do have to
S = so, as If, instead of guarding
him in every way, l had put tempta-
ton in his path?"
II cannot tell you, John" said the
doctor gravely; yet there must be an
answer. You may know some day. or
you may never learn. But these things
do not happen by chance. There is
reason. even II 1t lies too deep for hu-
man logic TO reach"
But the stricken father would NOT
be convinced and kept asking. again
and again: why? Why?"
They came at last to the Thomas
farm; and It was now about nine
o'clock I'm the evening The two en-
tered cautiously, through the kitchen.
as I'm the old days. Mary Alice Brown
and Charlie Thomas sat there to
gether. Mary Alice had not seen Mr..
Willett since her visit at his Office
Now she seemed to shrink from him.
but he went straight to her.
Little GIRL" he said gently, I'VE
were too late"
Don't. don't" cried Mary Alice
"DO you realize that I could have
saved him? Il was my silly pride. I
have killed him; no one else is to
blame"
She broke down and wept with great
violence. quite beyond any soothing
or control. But Charles eyes were
blazing.
Look, lookw ne cried. "Ifs Uncle
Billy! What did tell your Irs
Gods miracle. Uncle Billy. Uncle
Billy. knew God would do it: 7 knew
God would save Francisw
The boy was almost incoherent with
Joy. He hObbled about on his little
stiltlike legs, with his odd. hitching
gait and presently from the sitting
room emerged one Of the nurses. She
recognized Doctor Jackson.
You have come to consult with Doc.
tor GlennY she asked. "I will call
him."
Doctor Billy followed the nurse.
John Willett took Mary AHce's hand.
Dear little girl" he said don't
cry any more Look at Charlie. He's
actually laughing do believe there
may be a chance for Francis. Other
wise why did Doctor Jackson appear
SO OppOrtunelyW
Gle came beause 7 knew he would"
said Charlie. "I wasn't surprised n
bit when ] saw him walking IN that
door"
But the boy sobored quickly and
drew Wiliett to one side "Oh Mr.