The daily Alaskan., 1921-09-06
CLIFFORD s. RAYMOND
Illustrated by IRWIN MYERS

Ot4lEtOlND os INsh tNlONu
 Illustrated by IRWIN MYERS Copyright by George H. Doran Co.
 Christmas night had set in, sae --. place was a fairyland of gliStening white. Far-Off-ChurCh-bellS sounded fainuy across the snow. In the in creaslng cold, following the abatement of the storm, timbers in the old house creaked and snapped, and when one of the people of the house, on an outdoor chore. passed within earshot, the sound of footsteps was audible and the crisp crunChing which, even as does high wind, emphasizes the comfort Of secure and warm shelter.
 was in the office when Mrs. Sid ncy'S instructions to open the scaled enclosure were received.
 I proceeded to do so. There was a brief note, as follows:
 I desire the marking on my gravcstone, when lt Is put up, to read:
 ARTHUR DOBSON
 Born May %. lS+5
 was holding that document, star ing at 1t, and grasping for elusive threads Of perception, when Jed came in. He carried a manuscript in his hand.
 Jed drew a chair up to the fire by my side. It was with a strange feel ing of relief that l accepted the sig nifcouce of the manuscript he carried.
 I'm a strange man, doctor" he said by way Of beginning You'd never understand me. I'm a strange man and I do strange things. I'm going to do one now. I've seemed conscience less, haven't I:'
 "Tve never tried 10 conceal my opinion of you" l said
 NO. you haven't l like a candid man. That's why I've always lLkcd you, although I can't say much for your intelligence. But you're honest I'm not honest but I'm intelligent. I've looked at my life as something to make the best of. and I haven't been foolish about scruplcs.
 "Pvc managed my chances, and ] have not allowed sentImenta,iSm to stop me when something real was to be gained. It's a real world, not a fancIful one. That's the way I think
 Half the people would he swinging on Cullows," l suggested of your ami- able ideas prevailed generally
 That's copy-book stun that's so IT, rltatiuC." he said. "The only thing extraordinary about me Is my Candor. My ideas do prevail. but the people who adopt them have less frankr"sS. But what l want Go say Is that I'm going to do a strange thing. NoHI probably think it an act of ooatrt.mu It isn't at all, but youl think tr >N However that's uuimpor,aur
 "You may not know it. hur was very fond of Mir. Sidney. He was tl" best friend I ever had or ever sha. have.
 'Now. 1 have guarded against net Ing lmDulsiyely or Senumcu'a.ly J know am in an acutc'y emodona. condition. I have guarded against that. I am still considering the world as a real world and myself as a req. creature in it And here's The way I figure it. Mir. Sidn'y.s death has taught me that materialism is no, enough. It is necessary, luJ there Is something else. I've got to find an- other something else. That's more important than any money or comforts -phvsical-that I can find.
 "Where is this something clye to be found again if not right here in this family? 1 have determined to remain in your service after you marry Miss Sidney. and to take care of you and her and Mrs. Sidney. couldn't leave. The roots are too deep. I could be cut down but not dug up. I'm too old. So as a real creature in a reol world consult my real good, now as always, and I hope l do not seem to you to be acting sentimenJally.'
 You seem to me to be wholly crazy said. "when you speak of Miss Sid ney's marriage to me, you are not only