The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-04-06
CHAPTER ~
Uncle Jerry.

who had been searching for her-who
had even traced her to The Custard
Cup and then failed to find her. Sew
eral days had passed since Thad's re-
port, and she had heard nothing fur
Their: neither had she the slightest
clue. except that II must have been
someone out of her glrlhood, out of
the past from which she had sup
posed herself cut off by the severing
of all close ties. That past was filled
with painful memories.
1t was not an unmixed JOY to know
that a previous acquaintance might
be near and that at any moment she
might be called upon to talk casually
| of those years which were buried
deep in her heart. The very sound of
her maiden name had stirred lethar-
gic recollections into renewed life,
into the power of shooting like darts
of agony through the commonplaces
of daily routine.
Inevitably, since imagination is a
more vivid artist than reality. she had
exaggerated the possibilities of the
encounter, anticipating them with
dread which she was far from feeling
when that encounter actually oc-
Cured. She even answered the ring
of the bell with the serene conviction
that a neighbor was calling.
Good morning." she called bright
ly, as she rolled aside the big door.
A man stood on the warped board
that took the place of front steps. He
was about fifty years old. rugged,
weather-beaten, giving the impression
Of out-of-doors and hard work, inces-
sanity combined.
He said nothing Hat in hand, he
regarded Mrs. Penfield with a smile
of inexplicable significance. which
somehow checked the rest of her
usual greeting-the part about COM
ing right in. Her brown eyes blinked
In question
Am / supposed to know your" she
inquired at last.
II was hoping you'd guess me-" he
returned, in a deep voice that filled
the narrow alley.
Mrs. Penfield ashook her head.
"Then I'll tell you," he said, In evil
dent disappointment. "Tm your Uncle
Jerry"
my Uncle Jerryl didn't know I
had one"
He laughed Wasn't James Win
ston your fatherY
"Yes." Her eyes widened.
I'm his youngest brother, John Jer-
emiah Winston"
Mrs. Penf1eld extended her hands
"Come right in. didn't know 1 had
a near relative in the world. I'm
tickled to DEATH"
Jerry Winston entered, walking
slowly. AS he sat down, he caught
his hand against his side with a gri-
mace of pain. Tree fell on me-" he
explained presently. Lumber camp
in Oregon 1t was my finish for that |
kind of life. but l was lucky to get
off so easy"
They sat In silence for several mo-
ments, each absorbed In thoughts |
which the presence of the other had |
reused. 1t was the first time since |
his boyhood that Jerry Winston had |
been face to face with a member of |
his own family. He had cut himself |
off voluntarily, called by the freer life
of the western woods. Mrs. Penfield |
had never seen him before. During
her childhood he had been mentioned |
only at rare intervals, and then with
the reserve that hides all wanderers
as behind a curtain of taclt criticism.
Jerry Winston cleared his throat.
tits mighty little | got to tell you
bout myself" he began. "Lor', 1t
makes me lonesome to think of the
life I've had to give up. Seems like
l can smell the woods in my dreams.
| could smell 'em when I was young
ster, and finally I couldn't stand it
any longer. That's why / ran away.
But that wasn't why didn't keep in
touch" he added quickly. "No, sir,
that was cause the family didn't for
give me for not staying home and
going into the store, as they'd planned.
SO naturally /" He finished the
sentence with a wave of his hand
"And now you're living near hereY'
He hesitated. Eyes, a few blocks
DNtIt nt It,piltu foSdOiS. dOh
know whether l shall hang round or
not. Depends !"
Her fine eyes grew deep with sym
Dathy. do you mean you can't find
anything toto dor"
"Pm trying out one or two things"
ne answered shortly.
This time the evasion was unmis-
akable. Mrs. Penfield was sorry she
lad pressed the matter. II do hope
you'll stay" she said. 1T has been
onely. There amt nobody left
nobody"
He looked at her keenly, pityingly.
'Nobody?"
She shook her head. Neither of
ny family nor / had few years
# happiness, and then" She broke
If, her lip quivering.
"Say, Car'line, that's tough" he put
n awkwardly. Looks like your old
mole might as much as dropped you
line but l guess he wasn't realiz-
ng- What's that? Somebody COM
ngT