Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-04-19
CHAPTER. XVI.

@~N'' t'SBlGAhbNA h~
Street had been furlously busy for
month. The cobblsstones had gone.
and from curb 10 curb stretched smooth
asphalt. To this general excitement
the strange case Of Mr.. lie Moyne had
added its quota. One day he was IN
the gus office. making out statements
that We're absolutely ridiculous. And
the next there was the news that Mr..
LIE Moyne had been only taking hOli'
day In the gas ONCE and that he was
really u very great surgeon and had
saved DR.. Max Wilson.
The Street, which was busy ut the
time deciding whether TO leave the old
sidewalks or 20 put down cement ones
had one evening Of mad excitement
over the martor-of n. not the side
walks--and then had accepted the new
situation.
But over the news of KS approach
ing departure ii mournsd. The Street
made resolve 10 keep K. II possible.
II he had shown any high and night
ness" Us they called II, since the
change in his estate, II would have let
him 20 without protest. But when
Inan is the real thing--sO that the
newspapers give n column to his. hav-
ing been In the city almost two years
and still goes about In the same Shabby
ing for everyone, IL demonstrates clear
ly, as the baritone put II, THAT hes got
no swelled head Oh him; that's sure"
4 little later, K, coming up the
Street Us he had that first day, heard
the baritone singing:
Home IL the hunter, home from tho hill.
And the sailor. home from the sea"
Home! Why, this was home. The
Street seemed to stretch out its arms
TO him. The ailanthus tree waved In
the sunlight before the little house.
Tree and house were old: September
had touched them. Christine sat sew
ing on the balcony. A hoy with piece
OF chalk was writing something on the
new cement under the. tree. He stood
back. head OH one side, when he had
finished. and inspected his work. h.
read In chalk on the smooth street:
Max Wilson. 90.
Sidney Page.
The baritone was still singing; but
now 1t was I'm twSnty-On0, and she's
eighteen The light was gone from
KS face again. After all, the Street
meant for him not so much home as 1t
meant Sidney. And now, before very
long, that book Of his life, like others,
would have to be closed.
He turned and went heavily into the
little house.
Christine called to him from her lit
tie balcony:
II thought heard your step outside.
Have you time TO come in?"
X. went through the parlor and stood
in the long window. His steady eyes
looked down at her.
Il see very little Of you now" she
complained. And, when he did not
reply Immediately: "Have you made
any definite plans, k.?"
Il shall do Max's work until he iS
able 10 take hold again. After that"
you will 60 away"
"I think 50. l am getting a good
many letters, one way and another. l
SuppoOs, now I'm back in harness, Ill
stay. Ny old place 10 closed. I'd 80
back thore-thOy want me. But 1t
seems 20 futile, Christine, to leave -
did, because felt that had no right /
to 80 on % things were; and now to |
crawl back on the strength Of having
had my hand forced, and to take up
things again, net knowing that I've 4
bit mere right to do II than when.
left!"
+ II went to see Max yesterday. You
know what be thinks about all that"
he took an uneasy turA up aRd dswn
the balcony.
But whoT" he demanded. "WhO
would do such a thing2 I tell yeu, ;
Christine, It 10 impossible"
She did not pursue the subject. Her
thoughts had flown ahead to the little |
house without L., to days without his
stsps on the stairs or the heavy Oreak
of his big chair overhead a. he dropped !
into IL.
But perhaps 1t would be better If he |
went. She had her own Life to live.
she had no expectation Of happinSss, !
but, somehow or other. she must build
ON the ahaky foundation Of her mar
rage q house Of life, with resignation
serving for content, perhaps with fear
lurking always. That she knew. But
with no active misery. Misery implied
affection, and her love for Palmer was
quite dead. =. 30.
"sldnRy will be here this afternoon"
Good" His tone waS nOneommit-
tai.
Has It occurred to you, K, that Sid
ney IL not very happyr
He stopped in front Of her. /