The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1905-09-15


made q better one could they have
gotten at the facts that followed.
They might have evolved quite TO
mantle tale, fit to adorn even sun
day edition, If a reporter had been
around to see how the girl resigned al!
chance OF present happiness turned
from a life OF ease and luxury to one
OF toll and slavery. so that she might
pay back TO the bank that which they
claimed her father had stolen. Her
struggles and failures, her suiierinBs
borne IN silence and solitude, her CON
tinucd resistance to the oft-repeated
pleadings Of her lover to give up the
unequal struggle or even TO let MIN
share Il, might have made good
story If they could have gotten hold
Of The facts. but they never did, and
the years drifted slowly by. each one
finding the wOman-nOw no longer
young Gtill more determined to perse-
we're until every cent, capital and In
terc5I Was repaid to those who had
lost it."
"Oh but you are leaving out the
best par, of the story, Howard! ~
Helen broke in. The woman never
could have done her part, never could
have remained true to her old vow
il the man had not stood by her 30
faithfully II he had not been near
10 comfort every sorrow, to soothc
every pain to encourage and cheer
and love her, the woman would have
failed long ago"
"Th" woman would never have
failed Howard insisted. and the
mans part does not concern the
story"
There would have been no story
without him she whispered, lovingly
and she raised her head from the table
and leaned trustnEly against him.
If the reporter had been looking
for his story" Howard went on, he
would now follow for awhile the af-
fairs of the bnnk When the position
Of cashier was left vacant BY the
events recorded. It was voted that the
son Of the president, promising
young man formerly employed In u
minor position, should be promoted to
Ill the vacancy. and this was done to
the satisfaction OF all concerned and
for about ten years everything went
on a. usual then the health OF the
young cashier began TO fail, and
finally he was forced to resign his
position HIS father took him travel
Ing. and they went from one place 10
another yalnly seeking for the lost
health. until finally father and son
realized that there was no hope and
they settled in little Florida village
to await the end.
zone day the elder mau was seated
on u chair near the couch OF his son,
sadly wondering how long the pre-
c!uus l!fc would still be spared him,
when the young man opened his eyes
and began To talk
He recalled to his fathers memory
the newspaper story of which | spoke,
and then he made conicsslon!"
"A confcsson?" repeated Helen.
Yes II appears that ut about that
time hc had gotten into difficulties,
aud had at various times taken sew
cral sums of money from the cashiers
drawer, to which he had access. Your
father had discovered 1t and threat
ened exposure, and the young man
begged and pleaded for just little
longer time Helen, Helen, your ia
theirs only crime was In trying to
shield the buy,"
And the shot" falteTcd Helen
when your father sought the pri-
yate Office on the day OF his accusa-
ton It was with the Idea Of trying to
gain time to Nhricate some story to
clear himself and shield the boy but
the young man, terrified at the idea of
discovery, drew his pistol aud fired.
No one suspected him. and the evil
dence pointed 30 clearly to your ia
Tiers guilt and suicide that he
grasped at the idea OF saving himself
By silence But when death ap-
preached he could not help confess
ing
Helens head once more sank to the
table.
He was innocent" she sobbed, and
all these years we blamed him. Oh
my father my father!"
No thought OF herself nor her free
dom from the burden Of years, only
the memory Of tho long dead father
and grief at the thought that she had
wronged him.
Howard sOothed her az gently as a
woman, waiting until her sobs had
ceased before he continued:
After the death and burial OF his
son, the president started for New
York" he tpld her, and this morning
came into my office. AS had always
acted for you In the past, 80 through
me he wished to make restitution.
Dear, he returned to me all that you
have ever paid the bank and gave me
the written confession that hts son
had signed with his last feeble
strength Helen, do you realize what
all this means to you--and me?"
1t dawned on her at last, and she
raised her head slowly, light shining
In her eyes that TRANSPORTED the tired
face, smoothed out the lines, and
made her almost beautiful. She held
out her hands to Howard with Joyful
cry.
Free at last! Oh, Howard, I'm free
to rest now; free to rest!"
And free at last TO become my wife.
All Helen, I've waited for you patient
ly but oh, 30 wearily!" From his
pocket he drew their betrothal ring.
After IL years" he whispered. Not
even Jacob toiled so long"
And into their hearts stole q glow
of happiness. steady, lasting fame,
for their love had been tried in the
fire and would endure forsver.--N. o !
Times Democrat
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