Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-08-21

nurmured his mother, slipping her arm
round him.
But his quick eye had caught the
signature upon one of the checks Doc
tor Walkerr' he cried, flushing. This
is Clara's doing. Oh, dad, we cannot
take this money. 1t V ould not be right
nor honorable
mo. boy, am glad you think so. 1t
is something, however. to have proved
ones friend, for real good friend he
is. 1t was he who brought II in. though
Clara sent him. But this other money
viii be enough to cover everything, and
1t is all my own"
your own? Where did you get 1t.
dad?"
''Tut,tut, See what 1t Is to have
city man to deal with. 1t Is my own,
and fairly earned. and that is enough.
Dear old dadw Harold squeezed his
gnarled hand. "And you, mother' You
have lifted the trouble from my heart.
I feel another man. You have saved
my honor. my good name. everything.
I can not owe you more. for owe you
everything already
SO while the autumn sunset shone
ruGdily through the broad window
these three sat together hand in hand,
with hearts which were too full TO
speak. Suddenly the soft thudding OF
tennis balls was heard, and Mrs. West
macott bounded into view upon the
lawn with brandished racket and short
skirts futtering in the breeze. The
sight came as a relief to their strained
nerves, and they burst all three into
hearty fit OF laughter.
"She is playing with her nephew,
4 q L re
have not come out yet 1 think that
it would be well If you were to give me
that cheque, mother. and I were to re-
turn it in person"
Certainly, Harold I think it would
be very nice"
He went in through the garden. Clara
and the Doctor were sitting together IN
the dining-room. She sprang to her
feet at the sight of him.
"Oh. Harold have been waiting for
you so impatiently," she cried; Il saw
you pass the front windows half an
hour ago. 1 would have come in If l
dared. Do tell us what has happened
II have come in to thank you both
How can / repay you for your kind
ness? Here is your cheque. Doctor. l
have not needed it. find that l can
creditors"
THANK Godi" said Clara fervently.
1.-THE sum is less than 1 thought, and
our resources considerably more We
have been able to do it with ease"
with easer' The Doctors brow
clouded and his manner grew cold. Il
think, Harold, that you would do better
to take this money of mine, than to use
Al 30 RI he
with ease"
THANK you, sir. If I borrowed from
any one it would be from you. But my
father has this very sum, five thousand
pounds, and, as I tell him, owe him
so much that I have no compunctlon
about owing him more
mo compunctionl Surely there are
some sacrifices which son should not
allow his parents to make
"Sacrificesl What do you mean?"
us it possible that you do not know
how this money has been obtained?"
ct give you my word, Doctor Walker,
that have no idea. I asked my father,
but he refused to tell me-"
81 thought not" said the Doctor, the
gloom clearing from his brow. 81 was
sure that you were not man who, to
Clear yOuTSel lTOlli Il illllC ulOhCy
Guilty, would sacrifice the happiness of
your mother and the fealth of your
father"
Good graciousl what do you mean?"
''It is only right that you should
know That money represents the COM
mutation of your fathers pension. He
has reduced himself to poverty, and in
tends to go to sea again to earn liv-
ing"
ITO sea againl Impossiblev'
ut is the truth. Charles Westmacott
has told Ida He was with him in the
City when he took his poor pension
about from dealer to dealer trying to
sell it. He succeeded at last, and hence
the money"
HE has sold his pensionp' cried Har-
old, with his hands to his face. My
dear old dad has sold his pensionp'
He rushed from the room, and burst
wildly into the presence of his parents
once more. 81 can not take it, father"
he cried. Better bankruptcy than
that. Oh, If I had only known your
planl We must have back the pension.
Oh, mother. mother. Row could you
think me capable of such selfishness? |
Give me the check, dad and I will see
this man tonight for I would sooner
die like a dog in the ditch than to touch |
a penny of this money"