The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-18

you have been out all night?"
"All night, as you say, sir. have
been to the telegraph and the police
Office, and Mr.. Macewen's. Oh, II had
my hands full, !" said Alexander.
very Irregular, said the father
You think Of no one but yourself
do not see that have much tc
gain in bringing back my elder broth
err returned Alexander, shrewdly.
The answer pleased the old mamie
smiled. well, well, i will go into this
4 after breakfast said he.
I'm sorry about the table," said the
son.
The table is small matter; I think
nothing Of that, said the father.
s another example, continued the
son, of the awkwardness OF a man
having no money OF his own. II !
had q proper allowance, like other fell
| lows Of my age this would have been
quite unnecessary
"a proper allowance!'"' repeated his
| father, In tones Of blighting sarcasm,
| for the expression was not new to him.
II have never gr,ldged you money for
any proper purpose. e
No doubt, no doubt said AlexaI1-
der. but then You see you ar'n'taIways
| on the spot to have the thing explained
to you. Last night, for instance z
You could have wakened me last
night, interrupted his father.
~ ,,,y,,,.
first got John into a mess?" asked the
son, skillfully evading the point.
But the father was not less adroit.
And pray, sir. how did you come and
go out Of the house r., he asked.
'I forgot to lock the door, 1t seems, =
replied Alexander. VI 7'
have had cause to complain Of that
too often" said Mr.. Nicholson. "But
still ! do not understand. Did you keep
the servants UP?
81 propose to go into all that at
length after breakfast, z returned Al
exander. There is the half hour go-
ing; we must not keep Miss Mackenzie
waiting"
And greatly daring, he opened the
door.
Even Alexander, who 1t must have
been perceived, was on terms of COM
parative freedom with his parent: even
Alexander had never before dared to;
cut short an interview in this high.
handed fashion. But the truth is the
very mass OF his sons delinquencies
daunted the old gentleman. He was
like the man with the cart Of apples
this was beyond him! That Alex
I4ander should have spoiled his table,
taken his money, stayed out all night,
and then coolly acknowledged all, was
something undreamed OF In the Mich
olsonian philosophy, and transcribed
comment. The return Of the change,
which the old gentleman still carried
in his hand, had been feature Of inn.
posing impudence; 1t had dealt himja
staggering blow. Then there was the
reference to Johns original flight--a
subject which he always kept resolutely
curtained In his own mind; for he was
a man who loved to have made no mis-
have made one kept the papers sealed.
In view Of all these surprises and re-
minders, and of his sons composed
and masterful demeanor, there began
to creep on Mr.. Nicholson sickly mis-
giving. He seemed beyond his depth !;
If he did or said anything, he might
come to regret 1t. The young man, be-
sides, as he had pointed out himself,
was playing generous part. And il
wrong had been done land done to
one who was, after, and IN spite OF all,
a Nicholson should certainly be
righted. 4s
| All things considered, monstrous as
1t was to be cut short in his Inquiries,
the old gentleman submitted. pocketed
the change, and followed his son into
the dining-room. During these few
steps he once more mentally revolted,
| and once more, and this time finally,
| laid down his arms; a still, small voice
in his bosom having informed him au-
fhentically Of piece Of news; that
he was afraid OF Alexander The
strange thing was that he was pleased
to be afraid of him. He was proud Of
his son; he might be proud of him;
the boy had character and grit, and
knew what he was doing.
These were his reflections as he
turned the corner Of the dining-room
/ door. Miss Mackenzie was in the place
4 of honor, conjuring with teapot and
a cozy; and, behold! there was another
person present, a large. portly. whis-
kered man OF a very comfortable and
respectable air, who now rose from
his seat and came forward, holding
ont his hand.
Good morning, father" said he.
OF the contention of feeling that ran
high In Mr.. Nicholson's starched bosom,
no outward sign was visible; nor did
he delay long to make choice OF con-
duct. Yet in that interval he had re-
viewed a great field of possibilities,
both past and future; whether it was
possible he had not been perfectly wise
in his treatment of John; whether II
was possible that John was innocent;
whether if he turned John out sec
Il ~ A. = 49,, n 1rx,~9 9&Nr