The Washington times., 1920-12-13
CHAPTER XIII.
WinterI,Ourne.


Holder fell asleep from sheer ex-
haustion. awaking during the night
at occasional intervals to recall
chemerical dreams in which the
events of the day before were re-
fiected. but carricaatured and distorted.
Alison Parr was talking to the
woman in the fiat, and both were
changed, and yet he Identified both;
and on another occasion he saw a
familiar figure surrounded by romp-
ing, ragged Children figure which
turned out to be Eldon PARIS!
Finally he was aroused by what
seemed a summons from the I'M
known - the prolonged morning
whistle of the shoe factory. For
a while he lay as one benumbed,
and the gradual realization that
ensued might be likened to the
straining of stiffened wounds. Little
by little he reconstructed. until the
process became unbearable, and
then rose from his bed with one
object in mind-to go to Horace
Bentley. At first he seized upon
the excuse that Mr.. Bentley would
wish to hear the verdict of DR.. Jar
Wis, but Immediately abandoned 1t
as dishonest, acknowledging the
true reason, that in all the world
the presence of this one man alone
might assuage in some degree the
terror in his soul. For the first time
in his life. since childhood, he knew
a sense of utter dependence upon
another human being. lie felt no
shame, would make no explanation
for his early visit.
He turned up Tower. deliberate
ly avoiding Dalton street in it's
lower part, reached Mr.. Bentley's
door. The wrinkled. hospitable old
darby actually seemed to radiate
something of the personality with
which he had so long been asso-
c!ated, and Holder was conscious
Of surge of relief, a return of
confidence at sight of him. Yes,
Mr.. Bentley was at home. in the
dining room. The rector said he
would wait and not disturb him.
HE done tole me to bring you
out, sab, f you come" said Sam.
He expects me?" exclaimed
Holder, with a shock of surprise.
That's what he done tole me.
sab. to ak you kindly for to step
out when you come"
HOLDER NOT DECEIVED.
The sun was beginning to pene-
T, trate into tho little back yard,
where the flowers were still
glistening with the drops of their
morning bath; and Mr.. Bentley sat
by the window reading his news
paper, his spectacles on his nose.
and great gray cat rubbing
herself against his legs. He rose
with alacrity.
Good morning, sir" he said, and
his welcome implied that early
morning visits were the most
common and natural of occur
rences. Sam, a plate for Mr.. Hold
der. 1 was just hoping you would
come and tell me what DR.. Jarvis
had said about the case"
But Holder was not deceived.
He believed that Mr.. Bentley under
stood perfectly why he had come,
and the knowledge of the old gen.
tleman's comprehension curiously
added to his sense of refuge.
Jarvis has given a favorable re-
port, and he is coming this morn
ing himself. in an automobile to
take the boy out to the hospital"
THAT is like Jarvis" was Mr..
Bentley's comment. I'VE will go
there together, If convenient for
you" he added.
Il hoped you Wouio, repileu the
rector. and I was going to ask
you n favor. ! have a check, given
me by a young lady to use at my
discretion, and it occurred to me
that Garvin might be willing to ac-
cept some proposal from you" He
thought of Nan Ferguson, and OF
the hope he had expressed, and Of
ing some one in Dalton street.
81 have been considering the mat
ter" Mr.. Bentley said. Il have a
friend who lives on the trolley line
a little beyond the hospital,
widow. 1t is like the country there,
you know, and l think Mrs. Bledsoe
could be deluded to take the Gar
wins. And then something can be
arranged for him. 1 will find an
opportunity to speak to him this
morning"
Presently. not without feeling.
hut in n manner eliminating all ac-
count of his personal emotions,