The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 22, 1903, Page 1

\ $6p F vo re S SPOTS . t . Iy, of Il own until =l thr ‘THE LBOPARD'S wager ten times e of the book that you won't you have finished hole story—it is so tremendous- , 80 vitally, so dramatically and yet ough the first withal, so tenderly absorbing,” was the eritici 14 and sold into a ism of a well known New book reviewer when Thomas £ novel came fresh be- ssible beast to NS BY THVHAS February 22. 1923 UBDAY. CAEdc MNAGAZINE.- SECTION led Around this man’s soul was Ky : -ping its grim v North Carolina, democracy, bad | sions of the Cavaller « Puritan fanatic of tered the war at last w but a soul &1 duty. boys to the tront than of the Cog- federacy—and left more dead on gdi. She made the charge and the last volley for Lee's army at Appomat- tox. Thess ware the ragged country boys ¥ho were siowly tramping homewsrd The group whose fortunes wes are to fol- low were marching toward the little vil. lage of Hambright that nestied in the Ridg foothills of the shadows of n the sons of the men clared their independence of in »Amar!cl and had made t s y flags t our fath g that ha this hour of rget the de- dollar In t a ke w ng to their behind the peaks n entered o walked pal streets, w I'se erfeard t es he passe dar's Missy watchin’ at de How pale she look! En she wus es’ bride in de two coun it rebody ter he'p She drap daid en hant me twell reacher, Marse was knocking age of the Bap- last! T knew you'd comel™ e John, I'se home. Hit's r master is dead. I was sure r dared tell your mis- “Thankee, Marse John. I wus erbleeged ome home."” reacher stepped into the hall and kit gent call o Nelse,” he eared Ir the study his desk, he paused and » in 'a helpless way 1d some half-forgot- f books that n his e the he rose thers es that were of his study = had a power- t, deep plerc- ectual fore- and thick. He od at orest 4 was a pro- books. He the acknow!- aipit a magnetic quality that gave m hypnotic power over an audlience. erament and He had the t gian. age were proud of d 1 ed him pas- r preacher. - Great he had 1 his make fonary that orce. ege mate of Colonel hose faithful slave had help, and they had a! ds. He had per- ceremony for the re when he had the beautiful daughter er in the adjoining own heart was pro his friend’s happiness to _the brief preliminary address so m of tenderness and earn- est passton that the trembling-bride and groom forgot their fright and were meit- ed to tears. Thus began an association of their family life that was closer than their college da He closed his lips firmly for an instant, softly shut the door and was soon on the way with Nelse. On reaching the house Nelse went directly to the kitchen whils the preacher walked along the circular drive approached the front. His foot had scarcely touched the step when Mrs. Gas- ton opened the door. “Oh, Dr. Durham, T am se glad you " she exclaimed. “T've been Durham foundly moved by and he thre dep watching the soldiers go by ong the poor_foot-sors fellows g. 1 stopped some of them t ton and 1 thought them knew something and would not tell me I bl’olé‘h[ him in and g him dinner, and tried to coax him, but he only looked wistfully at me, and stamme: and eald he didn Colonel Gas- know. But somehow I feel that he did. Come In, doctor, and say something to.cheer me. If I only had your faith in Godr™ “I have need of it all to-night, madam!™ he answered with bowed head. “Then yow have heard bad news “1 have heard news—wonderful news of faith and love, heroism and knightly val- or, that will be a priceless heritage to you and yours. Nelse has returned—" “God have mercy on me!”—she gasped covering her face and ralsing her arm as though cowering from a mortal blow. *“Here is Nelse, madam. Hear his story.