The Son of his Father

already got into his blood. His was similar to the mood of those whom he had seen hurrying

and now, as he handled a "bright" team of livery horses, it was child's play to him. He bustled his horses until he had left the ragamuffin town behind him, the

tion engine hauling a string of laden wagons. It was the first breaking up of the monotonous green of the low hills. And it promptly suggested that, in the hi

en piled everywhere, and the pit heads had been surmounted by hauling machinery. There had been great black wastes dotted by houses and streets, which seemed to have taken to themselves something of the hue of the deposits which had brou

o longer meant anything to him. He didn't care if the whole wide world starved for coal for all eternity. A chestnut horse was on the

s conductor. The team reared and plunged, then, under his strong hands, they bowled merrily

yes alert and questioning. Her wide prairie hat was thrust slightly from her forehead, and a coil of abundant auburn hair was displayed ben

nized the team as from Mike Callahan's barn, but

omeone she knew. She needed someone she knew just now. Anyway, a stranger was always inte

he manner in which he was handling his horses. There was nothing here of the slovenly prairie teamster. The stranger, whoever h

ing in the depths of her hazel eyes, she picked up her horse's forefoot again, and once more probed wit

m had swung out to avoid collision. Then a cheery voice

e in a fix. Ca

hen she finally released her hold of the injured hoof, and stood up, she found he

a smiling respons

you can. You see, poor Sunset's dead lame with a flint i

mind with the delightful charm of this girl, in her divided riding-suit.

t must be relieved. Sunset must be put out of pain. I'm not just a veterinary surgeon, but I'm a spec

was wholly pleasing, and the girl fou

earside," s

work. He picked up the hoof and examined it closely. Then he drew out a folding button-hoo

long, thin, sharp splinter of

well, aspirate a certain measure in cloth and I'd guess you get the answer right away. It's paved with 'em. That's my secret belief. I could write a treatise on 'em. I've discovered every breed and every species. I t

piece of his handkerchief, and, with the point of his pocke

he deliberately turned to his team and tied Sunset alongside. After that, in the most practical manner, he moved the wheels of the buggy apart. "Jump rig

d to resentment. She was not accustomed to being ordered about in this cava

sumption of hauteur. "If you'l

n't be so cruel. Think of the poor fellow silently suffering. Think of the mute anguish he would endu

she was annoyed, but she nevertheless began to

your-- Besides, you weren't going to

un, tinting the coal heaps with its wonderful, golden, ripening rays-though I guess it would be some work ripening stove coal-but as to my ever getting there-well, th

dispelled her last

er. You see, I get to kno

a gesture

ger on the business end of the lines? Then the hills are so near. Why, you might be spirited off goodness knows where, and your loving relatives never, never

ouncement, and Gordon looked on in pretended

have known. Say, of course I ought to have known. Y

eattle, but-some interfering pack o

retty eyes were still

d told me of someone who got mixed

on cried hurriedly. "I'm-I'm t

e-Silas Ma

are Hazel

u know my

.' Say, this is bully. Now we aren't strangers, and you can ride in my b

ng into the vehicle, and Gordon promptly followed. The

can go on and enjoy your beautiful pathetic picture of the coal workings.

shook h

aid. "We must consi

er in Hazel's ey

. Perhaps-yo

ght get blood poisoning, or cancer, or dy

branching trai

'hammered'-that's the word he used-the 'sharp.' He was most upset that the train crew spoiled the finish. You know father's a great scallywag. I don't believe he thinks he's a day over twenty. It's-it's dre

met to her home, within twenty-four hours of his absurd arrival in a still more absurd town. Nor was she any mere country girl. Her whole style spoke of an education obtained at one of the great schools in

from-a grasshopper, but he did me all sorts of a good service. It don't matter

s enthusi

y, "he's a great scallywag. Oh dear, he'll never grow up." A few

use is. That's our house, and beyond it, half a mile,

had a good mile to go. The lo

village?" he inqui

shook h

sort of office. You see, we're both working hard on his land schem

n lau

around, and we've always got to have coal. It seems a pity, doesn't it. Say, there hasn't been a soul I've met in twenty-four hours, but they've been crazy on-on town sites. They're most ridic

gh again. Her eyes were gazing ahead at the lit

know if, in spite of what folks say about the savagery of old times, they weren't more honest and wholesome than they are now. However, nature's got to compete for something. Human nature's got to beat someone. Life is just one incessant rivalry. Well, in old times it took the form of bloodshed and war, when men coun

on s

t right up on their hind legs and start in to mush each other's faces to a pulp. But it isn't just the same when you creep up while the

ordon detected something of the serious thought behind t

would be a libel on a perfectly innocent, wholesome, sanitary process. That's how I always feel when I stop to think. But-but," her eyes began to dance with a joyous enthusiasm

ing, and let them amble leisurely on towa

eal champagne

and gazed at him

ay. Think of the moment you realize you are living-living-living, after a long, delicious night's sleep. Think of all the

kfast, and you've had t

ust for a moment a gleam of displeasure shadowed her eye

husiasm? Where's your joy of life? Where

f reproach lay in

s that a feller isn't allowed to-to think till he's had his morning coffee. The same law might provide for the fellow who fancies himself a sort of canary and starts right in to sing before he's had his bath. I'd have him sent to the electric chair. That sort of fellow never h

e or nothing of what he said. The fine, clear eyes, the smiling simplicity and atmosphere of vir

r talking's sake." Then, before he could reply, she pointed excitedly at the house, now less than

old man was waving one gr