The state herald., 1919-12-05
CHAPTER u.

Doctor Hardy recovered from his IN
juries as rapidly rs could be expected
and, while he chafed somewhat over
spending his holidays under such cir
cumstances, the time passed not un.
happily.
A considerable acqunintnnceship had
sprung up between him and the senior
Eden. The rancher had come from the
East forty years before. but In turning
over their memories the two men
found many links Of association: third
persons known to them both; places,
even streets and houses. common to
their feet In early manhood: events Of
local history which each could recall.
although from different angles. And
Elden's Erixxied head and STOPPING
frame carried more experiences than
would fiil a dozen well-rounded city
lives. and he had the story-teller's art
which scorns to spoil dramatic effect
by too strict adherence to fact. But
no rny Of conversation would he admit
into the more personal AFFAIRS Of his
heart, or OF the woman who had been
his wife. and even when the talk
turned on the boy he quickly withdrew
II TO another topic, as though the sub
ject were dangerous or distasteful. But
once. after long silence following such
n diversion, had he betrayed himself
into n whispered remark, an outburst
Of feeling rather than communics.
tion.
"Ive been alone so much" he said.
at seems I have never been anything
but alone. And-sooncr or intcr-it
gets you-it gets you"
"You have the boy" venturcd the
doctor.
"No." he answered. almost hercely.
'That would be different. l could
stand II then. But haven't got him.
and can't get him. He despises me
becnuse-bccsuse ] take too much Mt
times" He paused as though wonder.
Ing whether 10 proceed with this un-
wonted confidence. but the ache In his
heart insisted on It's right to human
sympathy. "No. Il amt Tint" he con-
tinucd. "ile dcspiscs me because he
thinks ] wasn't fair 10 his mother. He
can't understand. ! wnntcd 10 be good
TO her. to bc close TO her. Then took
10 booze. ns natural ~ n steer under
the brnndin'-tron roars 10 drown his
hurt. But the boy don't understand.
He dcrpis~s me-" Then. after long
silence: "No matter. dcsplse my.
self"
The doctor placed q hand ON his
shoulder. Hut Eden was himself
ngnin. The curtains Of HIS life. which
he Ind drawn apart for n moment, he
whipped together again rudeiy. almost
viciously. and covered his confusion by
plnnging into taic of how he Ind lci
a breed suspected Of cnttic.rusiling on
n little cnntcr OF ten miles with rope
about his meek md the other end tied
10 the saddle. "iIe ran we'll" snId the
old man. chuckiinr siIll nj the reinlnls-
ccncc. "And II was lucky he did. II
was n strong rope
The morning nfter Dave Ind brought
In the borrowed saddle Irene appeared
In n sort Of bloomer suit. somewhat
wonderfully conirIvcd from spare
skirt. md announced willingness 10
risk life nnd limb on nny horse TINT
Dave might select for that purpose. lie
provided her with dependable mount
and their ilrsi Journey. tnkcn somewhat
nionr the principal trail. was
accomplished without Incident II wnr
che fororunBer of mnDy others. plung'
Ing deeper nnd deeper Into the fast
ncssea Of the foothills md even into
the passes ~ the very mouninins them
selves, Ills patience was innnltc and,