The Crittenden press., 1920-08-13

| from the wheel-rut on the outside Of
the road would have sent them hur-
Ting over the grade into the deep
tlmbered canyons below. BY reason Of
the fact that Bryce's gaze never
wrvered from the road Immediately
In front Of the ear, she had chance
TO appralse him critically while pre-
tending TO look past him TO the
tumbled. snow.covered ranges TO their
right.
She saw big, supple, powerful
man of twenty-five or six. with the
bearing and general demeanor of one
many years his elder. His nose was
high. of medium thickness and Just n
trifle long-the nose Of thinker.
His ears We're large. will, full lohes--
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
n fight worth while.
Upon their arrival at the reSt-houSc,
Bryce during inner WAS very ntten-
tive and mildly amusing. although
Shirley's keen wits assured her that
this was merely clever pose ana
sustained with difficulty. She was
confirmed in this assumption when.
after dinner, she complained of being
weary and bade him goodnight. She
had scarcely left him when he called
George. 80
The halfbreed slid out Of the dark
ness and snt down beside him. A
moment later. through the open
window of her room just above the
porch wher" Bryce and George Sea
otter sat, Shirley heard the former
say:
George. when did you first notice
that my fathers sight was beginning
TO fail;"
about two years ago. Bryce. He
began 10 walk with his hands held
out In front of him. and sometimes
he lifted his feet too high
can he see AT NIL now. Georger
"oh. yes. a little blt--enough 70
make his way to the Office and back
Poor old governor! George. until
you told me this afternoon. ! hndn't
heard word about II. II had,
never would have taken that two-ycnI
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
/ feryent curse directed M Shirlcy''
ayuncular relative: whereupon that
young lady promptly left the wlndo"
and heard no more.
They were Oh the road again b,
eight O'Clock next morning, and JUS
as Car,liguns mill was blowing The
six o'clock whistle. Bryce stopped The
car at the head of the street leaiina
down 10 the waterfront. "Tll let yor
drive now. George" he Informed H.,
silent Sen otter. He turned TO Shir
ley Sumner. 'I'm going to leave yot
now" he said. Thank you for rid
ing over from Red Bluff with me. NJ!
father never leaves the Office until th,
whistle blows. and SO I'm going q
hurry down to that little building yol
see ut the end OF the street and sur
prise him"
He stepped out on the running
board. stood there u moment. and eN
tended his hand. Shirley had CON
menced due and formal expression
OF her gratitude for having been dc
livered safely In Sequoia, when Georg
Sea otter spoke:
Here comes John Cardigan" h
said.
Drive Miss Sumner around TO Cole
mel Pennngtor's house" Bryce order
ed, and even while he held Shirley
hand. he turned to catch the frs
glimpse Of his father, Shirley follow
ed his glance and saw a tall, powel
fully built old man coming down III
street with his hands thrust n lltil
In front Of him, as II for protectio
from some invisible assailant.
"Oh. my poor old father" sh
heard Bryce Cardigan murmur. M
dear ole pail And I've let him groI
In the dark for two years"
He released her hand and leape
from the car. "Dad!" he called. :"