The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-02-24
rightness-oh, what a son you are!"

rightness-oh, what a son you are!"
The great specialist standing in the
curtained alcove of the window behind
the empty wheeled chair, turned anx
iously. Little Doctor Gentry came tor
ward, h%esitating.
Not too much. Mr.. Sandry," he
warned, 100 much exertion, you
know
The dying man looked up with that
glowing fire in his keen eyes.
Have I not waited for this hour"
he smiled. Have | not held back the
sickle of the Reaper for this hour?
Let it be full, my friend-this is my
son-my son, of whom | am proud as
Alexander of his conquered world
and | have him here. Let it be full"
And Sandry, his heart like stone in
his breast, smiled back with the same
blue fire of keen eyes.
"Old chap" he said lovingly, we're
q pair together-I owe what | am to
you. sir-you have been my pattern"
"Tush, boy! You got your nature
from your mother. Only your excel
lent grip of finance, your youthful abil-
ity, your forging qualities" here there
was a ring ON unmistakable pride in
the words, that, | do f1atter myself /
b~equeathed you, and it is a good gift,
a great gift when it goes with square
ness, uprightness, and this you have
to a supernatural extent. That was
my last worry-the uncertainty as to
whether or not you possessed 1.-THE
gift of ability. You have removed it.
| am at peace"
Sandry, looking full at the speaker,
turned a dull crimson from brow to
throat, but every nerve in his body
thrilled with a reckless triumph.
MY own success has been my third
great blessing. How great a blessing,
a satisfaction, a pride-a weakness, l
may say, | am afraid to think.
That | builded so well and held my
completed structure through the con-
tinual changes and dangers of bust
ness life has been my rounding-out,
the pleasant finish to my career. Now,
boy, it goes to you-the fine, great
structure of my fortune"
He ceased and smiled in an I'M
bounded pride which proved his words
and was as balm to Sandry's soul.
The son bowed his head in courtly
acknowledgment of a magnificent gift,
and his father went on:
Il have let you make your start with
the bare purchase price of your under
taking, struggle along on insufficient
capital, fight to make your ends meet
oh, l know how it is in a new bust
ness!-to prove you. Now the way is
open and you will go far. ! am-at-
peace"
With the last sentence there came a
catch in the strong voice, a space be-
tween breaths. The specialist stepped
quickly forward.
"Mr. Sandry-' he said warningly,
but nothing could stop the last up
rush of that indomitable spirit, the last
flame Of Joy and hurrying cOmmun-
ion for which he had fingered with
one hand on the open gate Of eternity.
"No"-he went on-"this is my hour.
/ am full-of triumph. I'm singing
my swan song, Walter-and I'm
ashamed-to say-it is all on two
notes - love - that - all right-and
pride. Pride, my boy-pride of life
of-your mother's-lOve-of you-and
-of-of my financial SUGGEST"
He halted a moment and the special
list hurriedly gave him a few drops OF
some powerful stimulant.
ooh, if l could have been here soon
er, sir!" groaned Sandry.
flush! You-couldn't. And L
have-you now. That's sufficient. Just
your dear face, boy-so like-hers-to
be with me at the-last moment"
The gasping was more pronounced
and Sandry, his face like ashes, raised