The Washington herald., 1920-09-20
By O. HENRY


trying to smile. Tn just remem-
bering a few more things" Some
of the alcohol had evaporated
from his brain. Il recollect now
where I got that two hundred
dollars"
Don't think of it." said Col
trane cheerfuily. Later on we'll
figure it all out together"
They rode out of the branch,
and when they reached the foot
of the hill, Goree stopped again.
Did you ever suspect I was a
very vain kind of fellow. Colo
neI?" he asked. Sort of foolish
proud about appearances"
The coloners eyes refused to.
wander to the soiled. sagging suit
of fax and the faded slouch hat
1T seems to me-" he replied
mystifed. but humoring him, Il
remember a young buck about
twenty, with the ughtest coat,
INCEST saddle horse in tho Blue
Ridge"
Right YOU are said Goree ca
gerly. And it's in me yet. though
it don't show. Oh. I'm as vain as
a turkey gobbIer. and as proud as
LucifeT. I'm going to ask you to
indulge this weakness of mine in
a little matter"
speak out, Yancey. Wen Gre
ate you Duke Of Laurel and Baron
of Blue Ridge, IL you choose; and
you shall have a feather out OF
Stelia's peacock's tail to wear in
your hat"
I'm in earnest. In a few min
utes we'll pass the house up there
on the hilT where ! was born, and
where my people have lived for
nearly a century. Strangers live
there now-and loko at me, ! am
about to show myself to them
ragged and pOverty-stricken.
wastrel and beggar. Colonel
Coltrane. I'm ashamed to do it.
want you to let me wear your
coat and hat until we are out Of
sight beyond. ! know you think
it foolish pride. but ! want TO
make as good a showing as / can
when ! pass the old place
Now. what does this mean
said CoI;rane to himself. as he
compared his companion's sane
looks and quiet demeanor with
his strange request But he was
already ulbuttoning the coat. as
senting readily. as If the fancy
were in no wise to be considered
strange.
The coat and hat fitted Goree
we'll. He bultoned the former
about him with look OF salts
faction and dignity. He and Col
trane were nearly the same size
rather tall. portly. and erect.
Twenty five wears were between
them. but in appearance they
might have been brothers. Goree
looked older than his age. mis-
face was puffy and lined, the colo
rel had the smooth. fresh COM
pleNion OF a temperate liver. He
put on Goree's disreputable old
fax coat and faded slouch hat.
Now said Goree. taking up
the reins. I'm all right. l want
YOU to ride about ten feet in the
rear as We go by. colonel. so that
they IAN get a good look at me.
They'll see I'm no back number
Yet. by any means. guess I'll
show up pretty we'll to them once
more. anyhow. Let's ride on
He set out up the hill at a smart
not. the colonel following. as he
had been requested.
Goree sa. straight in the saddle
with head erect. but his eyes were
turned to the right. sharply scan
ming every shrub and fence and
hiding-plaCe in the old homestead
ward. Once he muttered to him
self. viii the crazy fool try il,
or did ! dream half Of il ."
the little family burying ground
that he saw what he had been
looking fora pun Of white
dars in one corner. He toppled so
slowly to the left that Coltrane
had time TO urge his horse to that
side. and catch him with one arm
The squirrel hunter had not
overpraised his aim. He had sent
the bullet where he intended and
where GOree had expected it would
pass-throuEh the breast Of Col.
Abner COltrane's black frock coat.
Goree leaned heavily against
Coltrane. but he did not fall. The
horses kept pace, side by side. and
the Colonel's arm kept him steady.
The little white houses of Laurel
shone through The trees. half a
mile away. Goree reached out one
hand and Croped until it rested
upon Coltrane,s fingers, which
held the bride.
Good friend" he said. and that
was all.
Thus did Yancey Goree. as he
rode past his old home. make. con
sidering all things. the best show
ing that was in his mower
lCopvrirht 1920 hr MheeIer SErdicatc In. 1