ned the store when they first came
there, was running it now. They had bought him out, but had given him
an interest and salary as manager.

The business was the pride of the old man's life, and he watched it as
a mother watches her babe.

Arthur spent most of his time at the store, selling goods and talking
to the trade; but the elder Kendall seldom went there. He passed the
summer in his garden and among his fruit trees. In the winter he
generally traveled farther South.

Checkers gathered by indirection that he was wealthy outside of his
business. Probably an eccentric individual, who simply liked the place
and stayed there.

"I should think," said Checkers, as Arthur paused in his recital, "that
a fellow would fall into a trance in about a week, in a place like
this. What on earth do you do with yourself."

"Well," said Arthur, "I haven't lived here much. I've been East to
school, and knocked around in a lot of different places, and I like it
here as a kind of a change. There are a couple of very nice girls in
the town that I call on once in a while. I read a good deal in the
evenings, and, in season, the shooting is fine. I 'll admit it gets
rather stupid at times, but it's the best place in the world for me.
You know they have 'local option' here, and you can 't get a drink for
love or money. As long as I stay here, of course, I 'm all right; but
as sure as I get away some place, I make a fool of myself, and get
full, as I did when you rescued me at the Springs. Drinking is a
disease with me. I can't drink as most fellows do. If I touch a drop
it starts me off, and it's good-bye for a week or two. Each time I
come home as the prodigal did, and my father comes out and 'falls on my
neck.' He 's been devilish kind, the governor has, and I 've cost him
a lot of money and trouble."

"Well, that's what a father has to expect," remarked Checkers. "If
ever I have a son, I 'll begin storing up veal on the day that he's
born--I'll need it if he takes after 'papa.'"

Arthur laughed and laid his hand caressingly upon Checker's shoulder.
"Old man," he said, "I like you and I want you to stay here and be my
chum. We 'll have some bully times together, and you 'll like it when
you get used to the place. You 've treated me mighty white all
through, and I want to tell you that I appreciate it."

Checkers grew red. He felt embarrassed, and hesitated for a reply.
Arthur knew his story, or such of it as C