San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-27

When Sam was at home he stopped
sometimes for a minute or two to
listen and nod, but when she was
alone he had always cut it down to
the nod and gone chugging by with
his gaze straight ahead. But today he
eased his car cautiously to an unac-
customed stop and gave her friendly
good morning.
"Going to Denver, Mr.. Pearse?"
Sand to the dinner at Beefsteak
Larry's. The one they're giving to
Sam. Mighty nice of the boys to in
clude an old fellow like me-"
Sitting there ON top of his diminu-
tive automobile, he looked as inscrut-
able as an old hen on nest. But
there was something about him that
she was sure he meant for friendli-
ness. And he could if he would He'd
know Just how. 1t couldn't do any
harm. Shed take chance on it.
Mr.. Pearse," she said awkwardly,
"I-Pm worried about Sam"
We'll. now-I thought Sam was
doing fine"
'Its-it's not his health; it's-it's
this dinner tonight. The railroads
paying him the money for his arm to-
day. Five thousand dollars. He's prom
Used me to put it in the bank soon's he
gets it. It's all we've got, or ever will
get. He's promised not to drink and
not to play cards tonight, whatever
happens. But IL can't help being
afraid. He don't mean anybody any
harm, but-you know Sam If any
thing starts him-if he thinks the
boys want him to play-You're going
there too-Will you-if he starts to
play, won't you please stop him if
If you can? There's such a lot de-
pending on it!
Tunck Pearse looked at her gravely.
His jaws worked in time with the
wheeling engine OF his car. With every
chew his tisht-fitting hat went SOL
emnly up and down. His face was as
expressionless as a house with the
shutters closed. Nature and his OPP
tician had combined to hide his sharp
little brown eyes. They lurked away
back behind heavy puffy lids and
thick-lensed glasses. But suddenly they
looked straight at her. and she felt
| that their expression was one of COM
prehension and frendliness. &.
iii keep an eye on him, Mis-
Pavitt," he said kindly. and then, after
a Il III httD All
eye on him." and was gone.
Ella whistled the next morning as
she stirred the waffle batter and tried
drop on the iron TO see If it was hot
| enough. She had been up since j
O'Clock. had fed the horse and the COW
and the chickens, MIXED, dressed
Jackie and helped Samuella with her
buttons, set the table for breakfast.
! op1 cot avarything raoIu 70 car,.a tbo
minute Sam arrived.
Her clear, high. boyish whistle filled
the kitchen. Her feet touched the floor
lightly as she moved happily about.
She had put on a white skirt and a
thin white blouse with cr6cheted lace
on the ruffle that ran down the front.
and a strand of pink beads. And there
was a full-blown fragrant evening
primrose in her hair that she had
pulled before the sun sealed it TO.
the day.
There were fresh sprays of yellow
rabbit-brush in II vase on the little
white-covered breakfast table, and n
mound of choke-cherry jelly in a green
glass dish, Jackie. self-conscious and
important in conspicuously clean
rompers, looked like something from n
| confectionery store. Samuella in yell
low dress and an old blue haiJ-rib-
bon made stunning top for the gate
post. She had been there for fifteen
minutes already, but she sat on
staunchly, her legs gripping the post,
her back straight. her hair blown back
wards by the wind, her eager little
face turned in the direction from
which her daddy would come, as
patient as an Indian.
Ella put the last touch to the table
and looked at the. clock. Seventeen
ty-seven. Old Man Gile was rarely late.
She went to the door aud looked out.
Her heart seemed TO be beating in a
bigger place. to have more room to
pulse in. She had been ashamed Of
her fears before Tunek Pearse was out
of sight She felt that she ought to
find Pearse and explain. She felt that
it was she who had wronged Sam.
The familiar blat of Old Man Giles
horn came down the wind.
Hes coming He's com-ing!" SAM
uelle sang out from the top OF the
! post.
] Elias heart gave a tremendous