The San Francisco call., 1903-09-20

first. last ana forever. whose word was
truth whose life was TRUTH Take that
back" she said. looking for all the world
Ike the old general himself
"I-take It back" answered Chalmers.
But 1--we you So Chalmers seemed
to be about done for.
Madame is served" spoke the very
discreet servant.
"I cannot dine tonight" she said, and
passed out at another door.
Chalmers stood in the middle Of the
floor and looked or where his wife had
gene
'T win do IT," he said suddenly. This
IS he'll. and I'll tell the truth" He un-
locked the small drawer Of cabinet near
his desk "And yet. maybe-she would
hate me for the truth. She loves me now.
for certain wonder just how bad the
truth would sound. It's years since even
j heard ft-years,' he mused as he lOnS
a letter from the drawer. He spread =
c.lr efuIly upon the desk. 1t seemed noC TO
have been read frequently. and It tod
how Dorothy's hero father had made a
mess of his affairs, and how his con-
science was troubling him now that he
was dying. and how he trusted TO his be-
loved son-In-law TO square things FOR him
ana for his conscience-and for a bOy
who was not his wifes. II have not the
courage he had written. ito rememhc-
the boy in my will. lest It excite susp--
cion. and now I'm dying I haven't time
TO make other arrangements
"Oh. Lordr' groaned Chalmers. az
should die and Dorothy never knew thai
was always as true. as true Chal-
mers wiped the sweat from his face.
eft Dorothy found I was not the hero
she always thought me I should turn IN
my grave" Chalmers read " Haven't
the courage to ignore the child's exist
ence; his mother IS dead. She was a
woman knew IN Paris. The boy ought
TO be looked after-leave all to you
by Jovel II sounds worse than
thought" murmured Chalmers. 'No,
guess won't-but I'd rather be a dead
hero than live one I won't tell her
about the old man. after all Well. what
the dev- What Is It, Normanf'
'I came to hear the story" said Nor
man from the doorway. Chalmers hur-
riedly thrust the letter into the drawer
and fumblingly dropped the key upon
the floor While he was trying to md 1t
without overturning his chair or rising
from IT Norman stood upon the heartnruS
watching him I'm 20 hear a story
about her father"
Chalmers. falling to find the key. left
the room, and Mrs. Chalmers entered It.
Your father was a hero. all right
wasn't he. Mrs. Chaimers%' said Nor
man. sitting back on his heels
Yes she answered
my father wasn't, was her wistfully.
''Mr. Chalmers once said he was not
Are you very fond OF Mr.. Chalmersf'
"I-I-don't know. madam think ne
Is very good" The boy paused Then.
would you mind II I loved you very
much2"
There Is no reason why you should
love me at ALL" she replied. coldly.
'I should be glad II you loved me. You
do not" pausing. do you. Mrs Chal-
mers? No one does do they?" He was
becoming hysterical IN his syntax, and
she moved uneasily.
I'm sorry II I am not kind"
yes. you are: but I guess We aren't
very happy" He made furtive use OF the
portiere about his eyes Mrs Chalmers
mechanically picked I'D the key at her
feet.
TITS Mr.. Chalmers key" said Norman.
still in the curtains "It belongs to the
drawer OF the cabinet Mrs. Chalmers
looked long at the key and longer at the
cabinet. Chalmers secret long had dwelt
there, she knew II. and she had not be-
fore permitted her gown to brush the
cabinet as she passed by. but tonight
things seemed different She looked at
the key and then fitted II to the lock
There was but one letter in the drawer,
and that bore her fathers writing. Mrs
Chalmers was a miserable woman and
longed that night to be near her father.
She fingered the letter, and Norman
snufHed softly and looked out at the
winking street lights. All the glory OF
the military had now departed and II
was raining.
"she found your key. Mr.. Chalmers.
said Norman from the window as Chal-
mers stood shaking IN the doorway
First she read the letter then she was
a long, long time In Chalmers arms, and
then a small voice said amazedly, Il
never saw you do that before"
Chalmers began to laugh and could not
stop.
''I'n be all right tomorrow. he soooed.
'sbut tonight I've gone clean mad
know now that happiness might XIII.
Nothing ever went wrong again Win
Mr.. or Mrs. Chalmers, and every day
thereafter the boy had the time OF his
Iife" according to his own account