The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-12-15

he DREADED by the learned ear, but
Braces ear was not learned Shottle's
was as an oyster-shell clapped to hts
head; and In music the General could
not distinguish intention from accom-
plishment. II was song VI love
Hast Thou No Feeling to See Me
KneelIng?" and when Its last note had
found dark corner wherein to die
Drace requested her to sing II again
She gave him grateful look the Gen.
eral smiled at him; and as the song be-
gan again to mourn Its way, Shottle
said to himself:
IF Providence will lend virtue to a
scheme. that will cost you money. vir-
gil. Came here to rest after going
through more than Stonewall Jackson
could stand, and this is what I get I
oh. It's respectable and ought to be
endured, and so Is casket lined with
satin. but 1t doesn't suit me. Lord,
but this atmosphere is unsympathet-
icr
II you have patience to walt, bed
time always comes; history is strewn
with bedtime. II came slow-footed for
ShottIe. but quickly enough for Drace.
with his nerves of steel wire. And
how delighted he was with his room, a
museum of antiquity, great four
poster bedstead with canopy heavy
enough to have served as deadfall to
some medieval giant. A chair that
looked like the oaken throne of an an
Client Briton. wardrobe wherein Blue
beard might have hanged his wives
q rough-hewn mantelpIece remindful OF
beetling cliff-these were featured
In the light of a hanging lamp big
enough to turn the ashes of Gre
mated dragon.
The night was warm. and through
the windows the air came cool and
luling from the Gulf; but BRACE lay
until daybreak before he slept, and
when he awoke the noontime bell was
ringing. A negro knocked to tell him
that dinner was ready. The General
and Tycle were seated, but Shottle
was not Mt the table with them; and
following Braces look of inquiry. came
explanation from the General:
II gave him the five hundred dollars
that he was to put In with the five
hundred furnished by you to be In
vested iniflatively In that cotton-bag-
gIng factory at yicksburg. and he took
an early boat for that city. / think II
Is fortunate thing for the South
that they discovered a Wild plant,
sort of jute, really better for making
ropes and baggIng than either fax or
hemp. l had seen nothing about the
discovery. but I am not q very close
reader of the newspapers. But Shottle
assures me that this wild jute can be
grown on the poorest land and that II
needs no tending. I am naturally eau
vest, but backing your judgment In
the matter. I loaned Liberty five hun
dred. When do you expect active OPP
erations toward building the factory?'
Tycle forestalled Braces answer:
ooh. l am sure It will succeed. and
1t will be great thing. especially for !
Liberty. He has tried so hard, but |
somehow his energies haven't been
directed. And he is SO cap
abler'
She was so confident. and so hopeful
FOR her luckless kinsman, that Drace
played protecting villain to Shottle's
purposes.
"Well, l don't know exactly when
they are to begin work. but soon, j
trust"
She gave him grateful look for his
trust. now perfectly assured of Shot
ties useful future. But the General
did not appear to be easy In his mind.
and little later when he and Drace |
were walking about the yard. beneath |
the trees. he referred again to the in
vestment. Drace would have shut |
fed away from II. but the old gentle
man cornered him with question:
II want the truth. Did Liberty lie
to mel"
Eyes, sir. he did"
IT began to think so the moment he
left me. Well. 1t is singular thing.
that when he is with me. | believe In
him, but the moment he is gone my
faith has gone with him. I have had
much experience with men. Mr.. Drace,
N the army and elsewhere. but my
yife's nephew is the most-I don't
know how to define him. Let me
hank you for protecting him in the
presence OF my wife, and regret that
may have seemed In doubt. But |
BRACE, that fellow makes me angry |
With myself Confound him, he almost
.onvinces me at times that / have no |
liability OF character. And yet / am
ond Of him. I nm always glad to see
i'm come. And let me say that he u.
ustrafes one truth very cleariy-that
bIIity consists mostly In the fervor
Nth which we go Mt thing sup
,ose he has cost you considerable"