The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-09-06
CHAPTER ~
Uncle Jerrx.

Many times Mrs. Penfield had specu-
lated about the identity of the man
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
ther; neither had she the slightest
clue, except that 1t must have been
someone out of her girlhood, out of
the past from which she had SUD-
posed herself cut off by the severing
of all close ties. That past was filed
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-
&c 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 a
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. Penfeld 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
hNh, III a uCCp NOiCC
the narrow alley.
Mrs. Penfield shook her head.
Then I'll tell you," he said, in evil
dent disappointment. I'm your Uncle
Jerry"
my Uncle Jerryl I didn't know l
had one."
He laughed. Wasn't James Win
ston your fatherT'
Yes" Her eyes widened.
I'm his youngest brother. John Jer-
emiah Winston"
Mrs. Penfield extended her hands.
Come right in. I didn't know I had
near relative in the world. I'm
hckled to DEATH"
Jerry Winston entered, walking
slowly AS he sat down, he caught
MS hand against his side with. gri-
mace of pain. "Tree fell on me-" he
explained presently. Lumber camp
IN oregon! 1t was my finish for that
Slnd of life. but I was lucky to get
off so easy"
Ihey sat in silence for several mo-
nehts, each absorbed in thoughts
winch the presence of the other had
reused. 1t was the first time since
MS poyhood that Jerry Winston had
"eeh face to face with a member of
H.s own family. He had cut himself
oa Voluntarily. called by the freer life
VI the western woods. Mrs Penfield
nau never seen him before. During
"er childhood he had been mentioned
vniy at rare intervals, and then with
We reserve that hides all wanderers
oehind curtain Of tacit criticism.
Jerry Winston cleared his throat.
us mighty little / got to tell you
UOut myself" he began. "Lor', it
,ls Iahes me lonesome to think Of the
e I'VE had to give up. Seems like
ean smell the woods in my dreams.
.ouiu smell 'em when I was a young
'er' and finally couldn't stand it
pa longer. That's why / ran away.
.o a' mat wasn't why didn't keep in
tbu' tueh' he added quickly. mo, sir.
ra a' was cause the family didn't for
S., ,e me for not staying home and
81 ie INTO the store. as they'd planned.
~ naturally T." He finished the
s.ntence with a wave Of his hand