The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-11-08
MaxWcll's
Harvest
y.
iGht, 1olS. by Mcclure Newspaps,
6yndicate.)
- uARIssA saAcluH


1SlS. by Mcclure Nswspapss
6yndicats.)
Maxwell stood with folded arms
watching his house burn to the ground.
In the grove Of chestnuts negro serv-
ants ran to and fro, dragging the pre-
cious family heirlooms away from the
blistering heat of the fire.
Mahogany and glass and china and
silver, pictures and carpets. formed 4
miscellaneous pile representing au the
home that was left to the last Of the
Maxwells.
The long drought and its consequent
lack Of water told the story to the
ncighbOrs gathered about the young
master who looked with brooding eyes
on the scene Of devastation. The
nearest neighbor had galloped five
miles when the first glare Of light at
midnight had declared the alarm of
fire.
He stood at Maxwell's elbow, pant
ing with the exertion Of his long ride,
q strange look Of triumph on Ills fat
face.
"I'm sorry for you, old man." he
said with IN air OF heartiness. You've
certainly had the DEVILS own luck !
First, the failure of your cotton-then
Blue Jeans dropping dead on the track
when he was marked for a winner and
lastly"
Maxwell waved an impatient hand.
"Spare ME a recitation of my attic
lions, Seymour" he said dryly. There
isn't one item I have overlooked, l as
sure you! Not even the fact that the
insurance will exactly pay of the
nortgage"
SeyInour's face settled into heavy
lines Of ill-concealed satisfaction. "Oh,
l say. l wasn't thinking Of that, you
know, Maxwell, although l must say
I can find . use for the five thousand
dollars ] loaned your uncle. It's been
tied up in that mortgage for fifteen
years, and I don't see any more show
Of Its being paid of than before
he died-thOugh you've tried hard to
do 1t, I'll admit Everything's against
you. Maxwell. Better clear out and
start anew"
John Maxwell did not reply. He was
staring straight into the heart OF the
fire with troubled dark eyes. The
cutter framework Of the house had
Crumbled In with the walls and lay q
palpitating center of white heat
Above it arose the six dark towering
stone Observation-Disclosures by the
flames.
In the heart Of the fire John saw q
.air face crowned with golden hair,
and the blue eyes that looked SO sadly
into his pronounced him q failure. He
groaned as he turned again to his
companion.
You're right. Seymour-Ill clear
sut and start over again somewhere
else. There isn't much chance for 4
Northerner in the South anyway" His
eyes drifted back to the fire now dying
down into smoldering embers.
4 train of dark figures went a
iessiy to and fro between the grove
and the cabins Of the servants. Max
wells furniture would soon find hum
bier quarters.
"Cisterns empty, l suppose?" ven
tured Seymour after q while.
almost dry-cOuIdn't draw a gallOr
In time to do any good. l don't know
how 1t started-from the kitchen fire
probably. All l know is-this! !" Hi
swept his hands toward the ruins OF his
home and it was intercepted by the
touch Of a soft, cool palm.
"rm SO sorry, MI. Maxwell
Areathed Eleanor Lee ut his side. Clad
in riding habit and with her golden
hair uncovered to the night wind she
had stolen from her bed to be beside
him In his trouble.
Eleanor! Go home at one !" ON
nanded Seymour angrily. This IL nc
place for you."
'I'il ride back with you, stepfather,'
said Eleanor, looking down from heI
saddle at his perturbed c%0untenancs
plainly visible In the glare from tht
smoidering ruins. Again she turnet
70 the young man beside her.
You will build again, Mr.. MAXWELL
che said decisively.
Maxwell laughed shortly. Il cannot
lfisS Lee. This IRE beggars me. Mr.
Seymour will take the land of my
hands"
And your" There was forced indif
ference In her tone.
Begin over again."
"Hcref"
mo. I shall return to the North"
There ensued q long silence while
the three looked ut the glowing emberl
ef what had once been the finest man
sien In West Virginia.
III there's nothing we can do to hell
yea, Maxwell. We better 60 home
Won't you make the Hall your head
quarters until" Seymour paused
nwkwardly.
.Until I clear outy Maxwell's laugh
y not pleasant to hear. 'Thank you
no, SeymOur-IM fnd : shakedowr
somewhere on the plantation as Ions
~ II nm here" His voice trailed huSk