The Republican journal., 1920-04-01
CHAPTER v.

Along the well-remembered streets
of Sequoia Bryce Cardigan and his
father walked arm in arm, their
progress continuously interrupted by
well-meaning but impulsive Sequoians
who Insisted upon hating the pair to
shake hands with Bryce and bid him
welcome home. In the presence Of
those third parties the old man quickly
conquered the agitation he had felt
at this long-deferred meeting with his
son, and when presently they left the
business section of the town and
turned into less-frequented street
his emotion assumed the character
Of quiet JOY, evidenced il a more
erect bearing and a firmar tread, as
If he strove, despite his seventy-six
years. not to appear incongruous as
he walked beside his splendid son.
wish l could see you more clear
ly." he said presently. His voice as
we'll as his words expressed profound
regret, but there was no hint of despair
or heart-break now.
Bryce, who up to this moment had
refrained from discussing his fathers
misfortunes, drew the old man a little
closer to his side.
Whats wrong with your eyes, pal?"
he queried. He did not often address
his parent, after the fashion of most
sons, as "Father," Dad" or Pop"
ThpU a1ncnr 20 MI tIo,
that, and rare sense Of perfect COM
radeship found expression, on Bryce's
part, in such salutations as pal"
partner and, infrequently, "old
sport"
"Cataracts, son." his father answer
ed. Merely the penalty of old age"
But can't something be done about
ft?' demanded Bryce. Cant they be
cured somehow or other7"
Certainly they can. But l shall
have to wait until they are completely
matured and have become completely
blind; then specialist will perform
al operation on my eyes, and in all
probability my sight win be restored
for few years. However haven't
given the matter great deal of con
sideration. And ! am about ready to
quit now. I'd like to, In fact; I'm
tired"
"Oh but you can't quit until you've
seen your redwoods again." Bryce re
minded him. II suppose it's been a
long time since you've visited the
Valley of the Giants; your long exile
from the wood-goblins has made you a
trife gloomy, I'm afraid"
John Cardigan nodded. II haven't
seen them in a year and half, Bryce.
Last time l was up, l slipped between
the logs on that old skid-road and
like to broke my old fool neck"
pal, it wasn't fair Of you to make
me stay away SO long. If l had only
known-if 1 had remotely suspected
-n
You'd have spoiled everything-of
course. Don't scold me- son. You're
all l have now, and couldn't bear to
send for you until you'd had your
fling" His trembling old hand crept
over and closed upon his boys hand,
so firm but free from signs of toll.
at was my pleasure, Bryce" he con-
tinued, "and you wouldn't deny me
my choice of sport, would you? Re
member, lad, never had boyhood;
l never had college education, and
the only real travel I have ever had
was when l worked my way around
Cape Horn as a foremost hand, and
all / saw then was water and hard
ships; all I've seen since is my little
world here in sequoa and in San
Francisco"
49, you've Sacrificed enough-too much
for me, Dad"
"It pleased me to give you all the
advantages l wanted and couldn't af-
ford until was too old and too busy
to consider them. Besides. it was
your mothers wish. And you have
enjoyed your little run, haven't your
he concluded wistfully.
81 have, Dad" Bryce's great hand
closed over the back of his fathers
neck; he shook the old man with
mock ferocity. stubborn old lumber
jackv' ne chided.
John Cardigan shook with an in
ward chuckle, for the loving abuse his
boy had formed habit of heaping on
him never failed to thrill him. In
stinctively Bryce had realized that
tonight obvious sympathy copiously
expressed was not the medicine for
his fathers bruised spirit; hence he
elected to regard the latter's blindness
as a mere temporary annoyance, some.
thing to be considered lightly, If al
all; and it was typical Of him now
that the subject had been discussed
briefly. to resolve never to refer t.
it again.
Tomorrow morning I'm going Il
put a pair of overalls on you. arm
you with tin can and a swab ant
d set you to greasing the sideways
Partner. you've deceived me-"
"Oh nonsense. If had whimpered
that would only have spoiled every
thing"
Nevertheless, you were forced tt
cable me to hurry home"
Il summoned you the instant
realized was going to need you"
mo, yea didn't, John Cardigan. 70,
summoned me because. for the frs