Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1919-10-02

first close contact with human pain.
Il was different from branding calves
and he had slipped out OF the room as
soon as possible. The morning sun
was now pouring through the window
I md the diStraC-ht look on the boys
/ face touched her even more than the
| frdnkneSS of the words spoken in the
darkness. She suddenly remembered
that he had been up all night-for her.
| She would not deceive herself with the
| thought that il was for her fathers
sake Dave had gallOped To town, found
| a doctor. secured a fresh team aud
driven back along the little-used foot
hill trails. No doubt Dave would have
done it all for her father, had her IA
Their been there alone, but as things
were she had a deep conviction that
ne had done it for her. And it was
with greater effort than seemed rea-
sonable thar she laid her fingers on his
arm and said:
"Thank you, Dave"
"What for?" he asked. and she could
not doubt the genuineness of his ques-
ton.
why. for bringing the doctor. and
all that. l am sure 1 cant-father
won't be able to"
"Oh, shucks :" he interrupted, with
manner which, on the previous after
noon. she would have called rudeneSs.
That's nothin'. But, say. I brought
home some grub. The chuck here was
pretty tame. Guess you found that
out last night" He looked about the
room and she knew that he was taking
note of her housekeeping, but he
made no remark on the subject.
'Well, let's get breakfast" she said,
after a moments pause and for lack
of other conversation. you must be
hungry"
Dawes purchases had been liberal. |
They included fresh meat and vegeta- |
bles, canned goods, coffee, rice and |
raisins. He laid the last three items |
on the table with great assembling
of Indifference, for he was immensely |
proud of them. They were unwOnted
items on the Eden bill of fare he had
bought them especially for her. But
she busted herself at the breakfast
without a thought of the epoch-mark-
ing nature Of these purchases.
The doctor, who had been resting in
the room with his patient, entered the
kitchen. During the setting of the limb
ne had gradually become aware of the
position of Irene in the household;
)ut had that not been so. one glance
n the bright morning sunshine he
With his big, wiry frame, his brown
ace, his dark eyes, his black hair, she.
'ound and knit and smooth, with the
link shining through her fair skin and
he light of youth dancing in her gray n
yes and the light of day glancing on
Ter brown hair. must have told him +.
hey had sprung from widely separa r.,
d stock. For one perilous rEaoaser Efo
vas about to apologize for the misfnA Z, u
made in the darkness, but some wise -
instinct closed his lips. But he Won
cred why she had not corrected him.
They were seated at breakfast when
ne senior Eden made his appearance.
lie had slept off his debauch and was
s sober as a man in the throes of al
OhOlic appetite may be. Seeing the
-rangers, he hesitated in his lurch to-
ard the water pail, steadied himself
n widespread feet, very fat on the
DOR, and waved his right hand slowly
the air Whether this was to be I'M
arstood as a form of salutation or
nsture of defiance was matter of in
expectation.
"ViShitOrs," said the old man, at
myth. "Alwaysh welcome. m sure.
l-scush me-" He made his uncertain "a
NY 20 the Water-bench, took great &;
ink and set about washing his face &
I'd hands, while the breakfast pro-
eded in silence. AS his preparations
AIRED completion Irene set place at
e table.
won't you sit down here, Mr.. Ell
n?' she said. N,
There had been no introductions. W
I'VE ate on in silence.
THANK YOU" said the old man, and
ere was something in his voice which -
" have been emotion or may have IL
en- the huskiness Of the heavy drink E
$ throat. The girl gave it the for Hill
r explanation. AS he took the prof. M
ed chair she saw in this old man =
eds of dignity which the less refined Z
: of his son had not distinguished. Z
Dave his father was an affliction to -
borne; an unfair load laid on boy
o had done nothing to deserve this n
lishment. The miseries associated s=-
h his parentage had gone far to
Ike him sour and moody. Irene at a"'
t had thought him rude and gloomy;
hes of humor had modified that :
Mon, but she had not yet learned
t his disposition was naturally
yant one, weighed down by an en-
which had made it soggy 3;
unreSponsive. In years to come
was to know what unguessed
tbs of character were to be re- :