The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-01
TODAY'S SHORT STORY
Mir. Silvernail

went on down the street and turned the corner into Cedar avenue. At this point his hat blew off-his brand new velour-and he stopped to grab it. As he straightened up he was aware of a change in his mechanism. Instead Of going ahead he was backing up, and backing up so fast that he was shocked and somewhat frightened
 Mercy on us r' he gasped. What's got hold of me?' 4 He was nearing the Cedar avenue bridge and he thought it was time to stop. He saw a tree, steer ed for it backward and grabbed it. There he hung for few minutes.
 When he started on again he walked in the right direction, but faster than he had walked before in twenty years. The scare through which he had just passed vanished in q sense of pride and humor.
 "why, I'm just as spry as I ever was" he chuckled.
 Suddenly his steps, quickened; he be- gan to run. And now, indeed, he was running away, but without any volition cl his part. tet >
 Mercy on us Y he gasped. What am I running for? Hold on here, stop!" But though he commanded him self thus his feet kept on running.r A man came toward him and he rec ognized Rev. Dr. Jenkins, whom he hated cordially--for no apparent reason
 "Stop me! Stop me r he cried, but the doctor stepped aside with q ghastly stare and, let him go on his way.
 "Perdition r cried Mir. Silvernail. He could not stop; he'd run till he fell down or died! There. wasn't tree to get hold of. Oh, this wat terrible 1! What was going to become of him? His breath shortened; tears ran down his pale cheeks.
 It was then, when he could bear no more, that a man caught him in his arms. This man had been passing in a car, had seen the old man running, had jumped out and seized him.
 You mustn't run at your age," said Peter Ross gently.
 "Oh, Pete! Oh, my boy Take me home," he begged.
 Peter half carried him to the car and put him in. Then he took him home. Nancy had missed her father and was beginning to look for him. She was grateful indeed, when he was returned to her.
 Do you think I'd better call the doc tor?" asked Nancy, too anxious over her father to pay much heed to her old lover.
 MT. Silvernail laughed.
 'No! don't want a doctor. I'm well right now. But it was lucky you came along, Peter, my boy"
 Yes, rather thing it was," Peter replied gravely.
 Peter" said MT. Silvernail jubi- lantly, didn't you used to go with Nancy once on time? Kinder seems to me you did.'
 Peter glanced quickly at Nancy, Nancy was pale as ashes, "Oh, fa- ther '" she gasped.
 ''Yes. Nancy used to like me pretty well once," he said. But maybe she's changed. l never have, but maybe she has," =.
 Nancy hung her head. Then she looked up at the tall, grave man whom her heart yearned for.
 "No," she whispered.
 Peter put his arm about her and snuggled her head on his shoulder. MT. Silvernail looked at them, curiously. Just for an instant he was sorry that he had said anything. Somewhere back in his old mind a memory began to stir distrustingly.
 Then he remembered when Peter caught him and he felt so safe and sure and his legs began to behave. They had obeyed Peter although they would not obey him. Suppose Peter, like that confounded Jenkins, hadn't stopped? He felt sweat rising on his forehead at the thought. Alter all he was mighty grateful to Peter, and if Nancy was what Peter wanted he should have her. c
 Bless you, my children" said old Mir. Silvernail. Bless you" And he retired to his favorite chair and cov- cred his bald head with his handker- chief and slept-as only 80 can sleen.