Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-03-19

from the wheel-rut on the outside O.
the r0dd would have sent them hur
ting over the grade into the deep
tlmbered canyons below. BY reason O
the fact that Bryce's gaze never
wavered from the road immedlatel,
In front Of the car, she had a chance
to appralse him critically while pre-
tending to look past him to the
tumbled, snOw-covered ranges to thel,
right.
She saw big, supple, powerful
man Of twenty-five or six, with the
bearing and general demeanOr of one
many years Ills elder. His nose was
high. Of medium thickness and Just q
trifle long--the nose Of a thinker
His ears were large, will, full obes--
the ears Of generous man. The
mouth. full-llpped but firm, the heavy
Jaw and square chin, the great hands
(most amazingly free from freckles)
denoted the man who would not avoid
fight worth while.
Upon their arrival at the rest-house,
Bryce during inner was very atten-
tive and mildly amusing. although
Shirley's keen wits assured her that
this was merely clever pose and
sustained with difficulty. She was
confirmed In this assumption when,
after dinner, she complained Of being
weary and babe him goodnight. She
had scarcely left him when he called !:
George"
The hale-breed slid out of the dark
ness and sat down beside him. A
moment later, through the open
window Of her room Just above the
porch where Bryce and George Sea
Otter sat, Shirley heard the former
say:
George, when did you first notice
that my fathers sight was beginning
to fall?"
About two years ago, Bryce. He
began to walk with his hands held
out In front of him, and sometimes
he lifted his feet too high"
can he see at all now, George?"
"Oh, yes, little bit--enough TO
make his way to the office and back"
Poor old governor George. until
you told me this afternoon. | hadn't
heard a word about it. If had,
never would have taken that two-year
jaunt around the world. And you say
this man Colonel Pennington and my
father have been having trouble.
yes" Here George Sea otter
gracefully unburdened himself of
fervent curse directed at Shirley's
avuncular relative; whereupOn that
young lady promptly left the window
and heard no more.
They were on the road again by
eight o'clock next morning, and just
as Cardigan's mill was blowing the
six O'Clock whistle, Bryce stopped the
car at the head of the street leading
down to the waterfront. an let you
drive now, George" he informed the
silent Sea Otter. He turned TO Shir.
ley Sumner "I'm going to leave you
now" he said. THANK you for rid
Ing over from Red Bluff with me. My
father never leaves the office until the
whistle blows, and so I'm going to
hurry down to that little building you
see at the end Of the street and sur
prise him."
He stepped out on the running
board, stood there moment, and ex-
tended his hand. Shirley had com
menced due and formal expression
Of her gratitude for having been de-
|ivered safely In Sequoia, when George
Sea Otter spoke:
Here comes John Cardigan" he
said.
"Drlve Miss Sumner around to Colo
mel Penningtor's house." Bryce order.
ed, and even while he held Shlrley's
hand, he turned to catch the first
glimpse of his father. Shirley follow.
ed his glance and saw a tall, power
fully built old man coming down the
street with his hands thrust a little
n front of him, as If for protection
rom some invisible assailant.
"Oh, my poor old father" she
leard Bryce Cardigan murmur. "My
lear old pal! And I've let him grope
n the dark for two yearsl"
He released her hand and leaped
rom the car. Dad" he called. ut