The National tribune., 1903-06-18

His mother looked on, with smile Of un-
derstanding. He was working for an edu-
cation, which was beautiful and right.
She would help him. She would trim eX-
penses yet closer. She would make egg
and butter money do more wonderful
things. So between them Glen began to
have money-and was none the happier.
Indeed. the habitual contraction of his
brow began to mar its smoothness. he
had come to himself, like the prodigal
among the husks, but, unlike the prodiSai.
he seemed unable to arise and so back to
his own.
From birth he was his mothers idol.
above frailty of any kind. He had never
been reproved save in the mildest depreca-
tory way. His genius had ever been the
paramount issue. In poverty and weakness
she had toiled, to keep his hands supple.
his heart free. Her belief in him COM
municated itself to others. People spoke
of him respectfully. He was not like
other wild lads of his age. Just now his
world was especially kind, noting his strug-
gle upward. And all this was the breath
of life to him. When the lOnged-for
amount was in his possession, how could
he give it to the man he had wronged! !
Could he say, Il stole this; / am thief!'
The conflict was fierce and long, and
ended in his own favor. He must clear
his conscience, but not at the expense Of
turned secretly. Not by mail-he dare not
register; he would leave it at the store.
he decided. So, hating himself for moral
cOwardice, but glad, 50 wearily glad to
be rid of his costly find, he took the risks.
At the close of tiresome day Williams
was quitting things to rights" The pro-
truding end of an envelope drew his atten-
ton to the ledger, lying closed upon his
desk. The envelope waS sealed, and ad-
dressed to himself in a hand evidently
disguised. Its contents "From Coward y
thoroughly aroused his jaded faculties.
He was yet standing there, lost in con-
lecture, when Daddy Burns sauntered in.
"Why, hello Williams" Daddy chirped.
Heard the news? Guess Prof. Haddenll
have to try somethin' sides fiddlin', eh:
Amt heard? Why. the widows roofs
burnt plum off her head-not thing did
they save but Clem's genius! She got the
fiddle at the risk O. her life. They're over
at McDaniefs, looking pretty hard into the
future-you bet they are!"
Williams harsh face softened. "Why.
am sOrryr' he said. "Your news is bad.
Too bad-toO bad. She's had hard row.
The boys got no more force than his faith
er had. Want anything. Daddy?'
Yes, Daddy wanted "backy," and went
his way. Williams chewed his toothpick,
and kicked his toes for half an hour. Then
he looked up surliy d. his clerk.
'I'm going out Bit" he snapped. eff
them Heaths come in don't you let'em
have a cents wOrth-they've got to
settle"
A moment later the clerk, sending i'll
wishes after ''the old grabber," saw his
pony's heels flash in the last sun-ray, as
he turned the corner, his back to the vii
lage.
Glenn and his mother were, indeed. look
ing pretty hard into the future. Without
warning they found themselves homeless
with nothing left save their bit of land
and the boys great expectations. When
Williams intruded upon them. sitting alone
in McDanie's kitchen, Clem's heart con-
tracted fercely.
"He is after this weeks grocery bill,'
flashed the thought.
But Williams was looking kindly at his
mother. ''Neighbor," he said, I'm sorry
for your luck; l knew your man-ay, for
years. And I've seen you slave and toll.
and keep n stiff lip. Say-I want to tell
you. You know Tor maybe you don't)
way back last Spring l lost some money.
A fellow found it and brought it back
like coward, as he signed himself. No
matter how it came. I'm glad it did spe-
cially as l amt needing it a bit. Widow
you can have it wi'out interest; pay when
you can, if it'll help in a pinch. It's a
thirty, and I'll throw in two tens. What
do you say? Merely business, Ma'am:
merely busines. More, I'm dead sick O.
that red-headed clerk O. mine he's too
on'ry to shuck his peanuts. If Glen here
wants job
But Glen, very pale, had risen between
them.
Mother" he said, "don't answer him:
listen to me. Mother, Pm the sneak-thief
who found his purse. Don't stop me-let
me tell it quick!'
Quite possibly it was the heroic mo-
ment of his life. While Williams produced
fresh tookpick and chewed, he told a
straight story, offering no excuses.
His little mother was big enough for the
occasion. Her face was bright and elo-
quent. at is all right" she said softly
Il think 1 can accept our good neighbor's
loan, if be does not wish to Withdraw the