The Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1919-current, 1920-08-03
Dead Mems Shoes
By Otillia F. Pfsiffsr

U
everybody, Two young men were con-
versing not ten feet away. They were
Mai Devlin and Todd Burr.
"oh. yes" the former was remarking
JUS, AS Bearce woke up. father says
that old Uncle Zeb looks like ready
money"
"Yes, they say he has 4 lot Of cash
In the bank" said Todd Burr. Then
there's the old place. Father hopes
10 get that. suppose he and your IA.
Their will grab the cash and divide"
We are the nearest relatives. my
pop says, but we are getting mighty
tired waiting for dead mems shoes"
How about Nettie Danversf" pro-
pounded Todd.
"Oh she doesn't count. Uncle Zeb
has OF course adopted, her, but that
doesn't make her legal kin. Besides
thai. she's engaged to marry Lewis
Thorpe"
A deep shade OF sadness crossed
Zeb Bearce's wrinkled face as he crept
from his covert tie was hurt ~ the
soul. The young men undoubtedly re-
fected the sentiments OF their elders.
and the cruel expression. dead mems
shoes" cut Bearce to the quick. He
was dying too slowly to suit his svsri-
cious half brothers. II seemed, for dy.
Ing he was. The doctor had told him
that his span of life WAS q narrow
one.
You look troubled. father" said
Nettie. as he entered the house.
Il shan't be long In your company,
dear" he replied. aud his heart
warmed towards the young girl whom
he had adopted ten years ago. and
whose love and loyalty had made his
barren life q garden Of peace and
beauty. He lay awake half the night
planning what he would do In the light
Of the development that his nephews
had revealed. As to Settie. free from
guile. she reflected how Lewis Thorpe
would provide q little home Of their
own. not half Q mile from the old
homestead, where her beloved father
by adoption could come daily. and
whence she could send this and that
little tidblt for his table.
The next morning Desrce went
down to the bank. Then he proceed
ed TO his lawyers once, but the at
tOrney was out Of town. u can wait
until tomorrow. suppose" he de-
cided. y must attend 10 the matter
Of the will then, though. | shan't feel
easy until Nettie 10 settled In her
rights"
Every afternoon when Bearce got
ready to come into the house for the
evening. Nettie set his fsvorite arm
chair near the west window and At
the end Of his crate q pair OF house
shoes that were ssft and pliable and
gave welcome rest to his tired feet.
~ usual he began unlsciDs his walk
ing shoes while Nettie went to pre-
pare the supper meal. She was
startled at the echo Of faint cry and
q heavy fall. She ran into the sitting
room to find Besrce lying helpless on
the carpet.
"Its come. dear" he spoke weakly.
Telephone the doctor" She managed
to get him to Q couch and chafed his
hands and Administered . cordial, hut
when the doctor arrived Bearce was
barely conscious.
Bend nearer" he gasped TO Nettie.
Dead mems shoes-that was what
those cruel boys suid! How thought
ful you have been all these years. hav.
iny my house shoes always ready for
me. And they must be yours. only !
have left my will unmade. You was
to have the place here. Dead mems
shoes" and old Zeb Bearce drfted
into the dream that knows no awaken.
ing
The farm wse claimed and taken
possession Of by the two half broth.
ers. They found only few hundred
dollars In cash and some small secur.
titles In the house. deciding that they
bad overestimated the liquid wealth ~
Bearce. They proceeded To sell the old
homestead and when they practically
turned Nettie out Of II. all she asked
for and took away yrs the old house
shoes. Fortunately Lewis Thorr~
was ready to wed her n, once. 30 she
simply transferred her personal be-
ionsings 10 @ home OF her own
The old house shoes Nettle revrr.
entity placed ri the side VI the Sitting
room hearth. They reminded her ten
derry Of the old man who had ~ loved
her. and her husband shared her N
,erest and sentiment, He mad the
misfortune to lose hls position. how.
ever. SIX months after they were mar.
rIsd. and they were really In hard
stress for time. He came home limp.
Ing one afternoon from Q long Tramp
IN quest Of work.
"Poor dearl'' soofhpd his thoughtful
wife. and she saw TO II that his
bruised feet were bsthed and covered
with q healing lotion. Then she
through, the old house shoes Ia his side
"They are soft and roomy" she told
him. "Put them on. father would
have II so II he were here"
Something In the toe OF this oa-.'
L.