The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-01-11

comment. But when they stopped In
front Of her house and she asked him In.
he shook his head.
Have you the paper. Gertrudef
should like 10 read that story"
Walter. how hoarse you arel You
have taken cold, Come in and let me
get you something hot"
mo, mother II waiting for me. must
go at once, II you will get me the paper.
please"
She brought II 20 him, hurt at the re-
fusal OF her care. and more hurt that he
offered her no parting caress. Only. as
he gathered up the lines, he bent towards
her.
"oh. Trudie, Trudiei" ne murmured
hoarseiy. beloved. goodnight. and God
keep you"
Ten minutes later he burst into the
room where his mother sat waiting for
him She was q beautiful woman, old
beyond her years, on her calm counte-
nance the peace attained only through
great suffering. Her face lighted up az
her son entered. He nuns himself down
beside her With the frenzy Of mailman.
Mother" he cried. tell me about my
fatheri"
She looked startled q moment, then re-
piled calmly, what do You wish to
know. dear! He died when you we're
little boy, scarce Ave years old"
"Of malignant diphtheriaT
Eyes"
Tn the jackson prison. Mother. for
God sake. tell me. was my father Grim
inal? must know the truth"
She took his hot hands In her own
and caressed them gently MY darling
had hoped to spare you this. gave up
home and friends more than 20 years ago
20 save you from pain and disgrace. Per-
haps was wrong. but did II for the best.
Your father was president Of a rich bank.
His sisters husband was cashier. Taylor
Lost everything gambling. His poor wife
| loved him to distraction, and Just before
her baby was born II was discovered that
Taylor had appropriated thousands OF
the bank funds. Your father had sus-
pected him before. but tried 10 shut his
eyes to the truth. Taylor contrived that
the blame fell, not upon himself. but upon
my poor husband. For Judas sake he
said nothing, never thinking he could
be convicted Of another's crime. But he
was, and he told me he felt u a Just pun
ishment for not acting against Taylor in
the beginning A month later he died In
prison. I came here TO the far west. my
one prayer that you should never know.
But. Walter. now that you know you can
appreciate the great soul that could suffer
even disgrace for the sake Of another"
Listen" said he, and unfolding the
paper. he read the story Gertrude had
told him. do you know what II means
TO me. mother? Gertrude will never
marry man who cannot give her an I'M
stained name"
Must you tell herr"
Mother! Can live q lie the rest OF
my days."
with the fierce strength OF despair he
snatched his hat and fairly ran TO the
girl he loved. There he poured out the
whole pitiful story. not stopping when
she tried TO Interrupt lest his strength
fail before the end.
Forgive me. Trudie Had known II
before I should never have dared TO tell
you my love AllIask Is that you believe
me innocent Of the knowledge. I shall
never see you again. but cannot help
loving you. Gertrude. II is too late for
that. Good-by" He turned to go. but
his unsteady feet did not reach the
threshold when pair Of strong young
arms caught and held him.
walter. you shall not leave me this
way. You are my promised husband, and
do you think will give you up7"
Don't you understand? My name 10
disgraced--my father died a convict"
lam proud OF your father for his noble
sacrifice. When said what did last
night, I did not know-it was a supposi-
tional. case. I could not marry sted-
man because ! did not love him. But,
dearest. this is reality. ! am not marry
ing you for your family. What does that
matter when woman loves q man as
love your There Ia no power In Heaven
OF earth that can take me from you now
oh. Walter. don't you know yet what
love is?"
A scheme whereby q common fund "a