Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-03-26
CHAPTER V-continued.

certainly tney can. But Shal
have TO wait until they are completed,
natured and have become completed,
blind; then specialist will perform
an operation on my eyes, and in al
probability my sight will be restore,
for Il few years, However, | haven
given the matter great deal of con
sideratiOn. And ! am about ready L
quit now, I'd like to, in fact; In
tired"
"Oh, but you can't quit until you've
seen your redWOods again." Bryce re
minded lin. 81 supposesit'S been {
long time since you've visited the
Valley of the Giants your long exile
from the wood-goblins has made you q
h'ifie gloomy. I'm afraid"
John Cardigan nodded. 81 haven't
seen them in year and a half, Bryce
Last time was up, | 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 had only
known-if | had remotely suspected
-"
you'd have spoiled everything-of
course. Don't scold me, son. You're
all have now, and couldn't bear to
send for you until you'd had your
ding" His trembling old hand crept
ever and closed upon his boys hand,
~ 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 "a boyhood ;
] never had college education, and
the only real travel | have ever had
was when | worked my way around
Cape Horn as foremost hand and
nil | saw then was water and hard
ships; all I've seen since is my little
world here in Sequola and in San
Francisco"
you've sacrificed enough-too much
for me. Dad"
~H pleased me to give you all the
advantages | wanted and couldn't af-
ford until | was too old and too busy
90 consider them. Besides, 1t was
Jour mothers wish. And you have
enjoyed your little run, haven't you"
10 enn clt1dnd uictfuiIv
u 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
jack " he 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
Bryce had realized that
tonight obviors sympathy copiously
expressed was not the medicine for
bis fathers bruised spirit; hence he
elected to regard the latter's blindness
as mere temporary annoyance, some.
thing to be considered lightly. If al
MI and II was typical of him now
that the subject had been discussed
briefly. to resolve never to refer to
It again.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to
put pair of overalls on you, arm
ron with tin can and swab, and
set you to greaslng the sideways
Partner, you've deceived me-"
.Dh. nonsense. If had whimpered |
fhat would c1ly have spoiled every
hing"
Nevertheless, you were forced to
rable me to hurry home"
Il summoned you the instant | I
realized was going to need you"
mo, you didn't. John Cardigan. You
summoned me because, for the first
lime In your life, you were panicky
md let Yourself get ont of hand"
Ills father nodded slowly. "And
ron aren't over It yet" Bryce con-
inued his voice no longer bantering
'uf lowered affectionately. whats
he trouble, Dad? Trot out your old
'anIc and let me inspect 1t. Trouble
must be very real when II gets my
afher on the run"
IT Is. Bryce, very real indeed. AS
remarked before. I'VE lost your
'eritage for YOU He sighed. I'll
rnlfed tn you would be able TO come
ONE and settle down to business: now
ou're home; and there isn't any bust
ess to settle DOWN to-
Dryce chuckled, for he was indeed
n from being worried over business /
lafters. his consideration now being
niIrely for his fathers peace Of mind.
~ right be retorted, 'Father has
u his money and well hive ID let
e servatits 90 and give up the old h
me. That part Of It e settled; and y
W