Show ROBERT 0 B E ga GRALE na I 1 L ed I 1 ii hei E rr pi i py pf I 1 coper ga ghe te 1 1903 by TA authors PuNt publishing shing company there stood a rude and d ngy hut leaning against the bavas of a knoll and built of sticks and boards thrown up by the tide A flaring light burned within and gleamed through the arev ices and the jagged bole hole that served the purpose of a windo v A 1 man dia dis beveled gray and decrepit came oat and carefully drew to the rickety door after him he la based ased ach i an n con temptation temp atlon lation of the night and listened to the mournful breathing of the surf then ilien he climbed to the topmost point of the knoll and gazed long over the ther stretch of water to the alb an harbor where shone the myriad lights of the city and in musing said yere ye re there somewhere I 1 know yer must be dr neth and bevelin in and spends yer bit of money in a fools tool s paradise while the neglected wife and wee one seek asylum of yer decrepit father fattier then he clenched his bony hands and muttered while the night breeze played about his tattered raiment he looked away along the ribbon of wind ing white beach and descried an atom moving at the water waters s edge growing larger as it advanced and he watched it until taking the shape of a man it bore around the toot foot of the knoll and disappeared the overhanging crags the watcher descended by the path he had come passing the hut he v waited sited n the shadow until the man again appeared then ther stepped out and blocked his way what do you want here his tone was harsh and stern the other hesitated what have ye yd done with the wife and wee one he continued harsh and stern as before she left my bed and board and took the youngster with her because you neglected and in treated her and because you will not work she came to me yesterday in her trouble not knowing it s a lie lle I 1 can get no work to dot do and the younger man tried to pass the lies lie s your own rejoined the elder ever hard and stern not so fast and he gripped the other by the arm she wants not you she s in and wants rest and quiet and she shall not be disturbed I 1 will see her see what she means and he thrust the elder man roughly aside you cannot harbor a man mans s wife there s a law beef besides des you quarreled with your own wife don t forget that and again he made to pass stung by the taunt the elder man struck out a blow and yet again then they grappled and struggled fiercely in the moan of the surf beneath the pl 1 1 ye re there somewhere I 1 know ye must be drinkin an re devellin rev etlin tars stars until at last by a mighty effort the elder man flung off the younger land ond stood alone I 1 in yet your master he cried breathing sharp and heavily never yet had son the right to judge his father tar far less him with what he lie knows naught of you speak of a law harboring your wife I 1 know another law and de by it if you cannot do for them I 1 can decrepit as I 1 am and VAI oo 00 away dway and crine not nigh me else perhaps no law may save youl you and be waited N acted then rose the cr oveller to his feet and turned to go stop the elder man a tone grew calmer here ye may bee see them but do not waken them and he turned and led the way into the hut and soft ly drew aside a rudely hung curtain where the mother and the child lay sweetly sleeping then they tir ed passed out and the younger man hung bis his head while the other spoke go away and make yourself right with god and search and when the chance comes though small it be take it and bide by it uncomplaining the chance will grow and gods god s bounty comes to those who first make them 14 VIP I 1 m yet your basterl ma sterl he cried breathing sharp and heavily selves worthy lei let me know where you go and what you do and when the time comes tell her and we 11 bide by her decision the younger man then turned and the other watch ed him walk away and AAs st erness softened edward the tones had broken and again edward grale the other turned and came let lets s not part in anger lad we know not what may come and he held out his hand their hands met ani anca lingered a silent moment then edward grale was gone then in the days that followed the old man strove with new energy to fill the extra mouths he fished and dug clams and peddled them he gathered rags and old metals from the dumps and sold them and did any odd jobs ho he could and heeded not the jibes of low born wits the pure salt air revived the woman she gained strength and courage and went about trying to do little things in her housewifely way tor for the old mans comfort while the child gath ered flowers on the knoll and romped and splashed in the surf and laughed and grew and the old man laughed too in his somber way the summer waned and there came a day when the old man went not away to work he lingered about the hut or climbed the knoll along the winding beach then silently retraced his steps and sat within the hut while the wife and little one hung about the knoll and often she too would pause and look along the stretch of sand anon he came and she turned away her face and called the child who an in laughing and returned with spoils gleaned from the heather then they laughed and the woman told him of the many pranks and witty sayings of the child while she studied the lights and shades that fled across his face by and by the child tugged the mothers mother s hand turn tell damps papa turn tum and urged again until at last they turned and descended to the hut they found him laid upon the rude affair that had served hini 1 years tor for bed and couch with his fingers clasped upon his breast and a saintly look upon his face and damps would not waken when the wee one called sore pressed and weeping they drew the child away then a fair gray woman fairer thau an many who were y basy iz x came and looked ad gazed aa aft and wept so passed robert grale the ali hermit |