Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-10-18

YES, father"
VI knew you would" cried the old
man. Il knew you would l told you
you'd be glad to come back"
II am glad to come back. father"
The old man nodded as IL vita salts
faction.
"It's a bitter world. Mary-a bitter
world for those that disobey and rise
against their elders and daunt their
foolish pride"
'The world 10 very much what we
make II. father"
and what have you made Of II. Ma
ryT'
II have tried to make the best Of It.
father"
"And you have come bockr'
eyes. father"
The smile OF triumph doepened and
wldened.
"You have come back. as I said you
would.'' cried the old man. you have
had your day OF pride and folly. and
you have come to the husks and the
humiliation. Then you thought Of the
dear old home. the one place where you
would find a welcome and a shelter.
and you have come back. / knew it;
knew It all these years. knew the
punishment OF the prodlgal would
break your naughty spirit. I knew
You would come back"
His voice had risen as his vehemence
increased. but It dropped at the closing
words, and he sank back In the chair.
Then Mary went around the little ia
bic md faced her father.
Father" she said. and her voice was
clear and calm. you are quite wrong.
Your dream has been n false one. Look
at me, my father" And she drew her
self up before him, and his smile faded
as nc gnzcd up at her with troubled
eyes. DO | look like the prodlgnl sup
pllcant? DO I look like one whom the
world has cast on2 No, my father; !
am an honest woman and q good wOm-
an. and there Is naught In my past OF
which / should be ashamed. 1t Ia not
the story Of a prodlgal that ! ain about
to tell you. II is the story OF a woman
who went out into the world and fought
her way upward and kept herself I'M
smirched through the struggle. Your
dream was all untrue. my father"
She paused aud leaned her hand upon
the table. when I went from you"
she resumed, 81 was determined that l
would not return until I had shown my
independence. you called It n wicked
pride, but It was hat that kept me up
and spurrcd me on. The great city
seemed cold and forbidding. but l did
not despair. | found O place where
honest work was honestly rewarded.
was faithful and loyal. and my serv-
ices were appreciated. ] made friends
as ! rose. one of them a young mar IL
whose ambitious hopes | became deep
ly interested. Perhaps 1t seemed fool
lsh. but We fancled we could be oil
greater help to each other II we were
married. Now W. know that we were
right" She paused again. "Youl
dream was all untrue. my father"
The old mans smile had quite faded
and there was no tenderness In hii
voice.
"Your pride Is still your master" HI
said. But you are a married woman
Eyes. father"
"You have n homer"
"Yes; q beautiful home"
"Chiidren7"
II had two, but God took one from
me. 1t was that. I think. that turne'
. my thoughts TO you. We have a boy
q sturdy fellow OF IL. Do you care t
know his name7 1t is Gilbert Blal
Hamerton. Some day you shall Sc
: him"
The cid man WINGED a little,
"Your husbands name is Hamer
l TONI
ayes, father; Philip Hamerton."
The old man nodded bis head.
~ shall not forget the name" b
muttcred. 1T is the same as the neV
senator's"
Mary smiled.
THE same name and the same mar
father"
] The old man stnrted up.
! "Your husbandP'
r "Your sOn-In-law, father"
"Your husband the old man mnI
INJURED; "the idol Of the public, the ma
who may be PRESIDENT
5 Yes, father" said Mary. And whe
be comes he will tell you that In all h
has accomplished | have been his &C
wiser and his faithful helper"
Coming hereT" cried the old man.
. ayes. father. left him behind q
. Judge Northmore's. With instruction
r TO follow me 10 an hour. He will 500
be here"
The old man clutched the arms @
: his chair and stared ut his child. Th
scales were dropping from his eye
The blindness b< prejudice was gone
He saw that she was a beautiful won
e IN, straight and supple or figure, cleG
Of eye, with dignity and character ca
pressed by every movement. A war;
wave surged across his old heart.
And as he caught her glance a tende
, smile o%verspread her face.
: The old man dropped bis gaze. HI
T hands trembled.
MARY" he muTmured, at was
. wicked DRAMA wicked dreamr'
She was on her hnees by his side
a fash. with a loving hand caressin
bis gray locks.
Yes, my father" she softly said. "a