The true northerner., 1900-06-06
tcoNrINuED.1
CHAPTER IX.

tion of the boy. 1t would be difficult
to describe his emotions. He had new
er been an affectionate father to his
boys. He had generally given them
money when they asked for it and had
not questioned them about its use.
He was not familiar with his older
sons habits and only within the last
few days had he known that he was
what the age popularly deslgnates as
"fast." He had never made a COM
panion of his son. He had not grown
up with him, so that now as he faced
him under the strange circumstances
that had brought them together he was
actually at loss to know what to do
or say.
The thought that his son was guilty
Of a crime which might put him be-
hind prison bars did not yet occur to
his mind. He was only conscious of a
great longing to get back home and
there have thorough talk with his
boy in the hope of winning him to bet
ter things. But he must say something
to George.
The police officer stared in wonder
after the first startled cry of "Father~
on the part of the young man, but he
did not loosen his hold on him. He
took an extra twist in the coat collar
OF his captive and looked sharply at
Mr.. Hardy as much as TO say, ''He may
be your son, but he's my victim. and
mean to keep good clutch on him."
George was the first TO speak:
"Father, you know | wouldn't do
such thing really. We were only out
for a little fun. We didn't know you.
of course. We, didn't mean any real
harm. We were only fooling."
cit was dangerous fooling," replied
his father
He still stood apart from the boy and
spoke quietly, but his face was pale
and his heart was wrung with torture
for his firstborn.
All, how careless of him he had been!
How little companionship the two had
had! How very little help the boy had
received from the man!
Now. believing that only four more
days lay before him 10 use 10 the glory
Of God, Robert Hardy felt Che sting of
that bitterest of all bitter feelings, use
less regret, the regret that does not car
ry with it any hope of redeeming self
ish past.
After his father had spoken George
sullenly remained silent. Mr.. Hardy
bowed his head and seemed thinking.
The officer. who had been waiting for
another move on the part of the older
man. said:
'Well. we must be moving on. It's
warmer in the lookup than out here.
So come along, young fellow, and do
your talking tomorrow morning with
the rest Of the drunks and disorder
lies"
Stop cried Robert Hardy. "This
is my son! Do you understand? What
are you going to doT'
"Well, governor, that's pretty ques-
ton at this time of day. Do! I'm GO
ing TO jug him for assault with intent
to commit highway robbery. It's an
affair for the pen / can tell you"
But you heard him say it was all a
joke"
"a pretty joke to try to hold man
up ON the highway and demand his
money! oh, no, That's carrying q
joke too far I'm bound to obey or
ders. We've been after this gang of
young chaps for a month now."
"But. officer. you don't understand
This is my son!'
"Well. what of that? Don't we jug
sons every day for some deviltry or
other? Do you suppose you are the
only father whose son is going to the
devil?'
80 God, no!' cried Mr.. Hardy, with
sudden passion. "But this is my older
boy. 1t would kill his mother to have
him arrested and put in Jail for trying
to rob his own father. Yet he was
once innocent What am / saying?
He might be now if / had done my
duty"
Mr.. Hardy confronted the officer
with certain sorrowful dignity which
even that hardened defender Of the
law understood.
"Officer, let the boy go. will answer
for 1t IL any blame falls on you for 1t.
He was not at fault In this matter. He
was not the one who assaulted me. He
did not touch me. You could not get a
particle Of testimony against him. And,
besides that, 1t is necessary that he re-
turn with me. This is a case for the
law of God. This belongs to a higher
court"
The officer hesltated; Mr.. Hardy STEP
ped nearer his son.
George" he said as IL forgetting for
a moment that the officer was present,
"did you know that Clara and Bess
and VIII were In the accident last
night?"
George turned pale and tremblingly
replied: mo, father. Were they hurt
Was Bess"-