Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-02-17
CHAPTER xX.-(Continued.y

uIDS. III WHICH W dIAfG OA bhC t1NAuA
spectei that Rugged him in the embrace
of death. He dared not look at his sons.
If he were compelled to face them on the
pavement i'll the Aaring saslight, he
would run away
His anguish was pitiable. Great drops
of sweat stood clamnly on his forehead.
He passed a trembling hand across his
face, and groaned aloud unconsciously:
oh, God forgive mel"
1t was the first prayer that had volun-
tarily left his lips for many a day.
The boys heard They interpreted it
as an expression of sorrow that his own
career should have been so cut off from
their childhood and joyous youth
We'll, cheer up, dad. anyhow" cried
the elder, much relieved by this conelu
sion. 1--WE are all together again, and
YOU can face the world once more with
us at your side"
No dagger of steel could have hurt so
dreadfully as this we'll -meant consolation.
But for the sake of his sons the man
wrestled with his agony, and conquered
it to some outward seeming.
When the cab stopped outside a big
building he was steady on his feet when
ne alignted. and he mcnaged to summon
a ghastly smile to his aid as he said to
johns
Il am sorry to set you a bad example.
But that is nothing new. is it? l must
have some spirit, strong spirit, or can't
keep up
Certainly, father Why not? 1t is
all right as medicine. Willie. you go and
get some brandy while / take father up
stairs
Their fiat was on the second floor 1t
was neatly furnished, fitted with electric
light. and contained five rooms.
John talked freely, explaining house
keeping arrangements, the puzzle as to
their fathers size. for the first bed they
bought was short one, their hours Of
work the variety of their employment,
any and every cheering topic, indeed, I'M
til Willie came with bottle.
Both of them glanced askance at the
quantity Mason consumed, but they
passed no comment. He tried to smoke,
and sat so that the light should not fan
on his face. And then he said to them:
Tell me all you know about Philip
Arson 1t ;aterests me"
Snap! The hard composition Of his
pipe was broken in two.
What a PITY" cried Willie. shall
run and buy you new one?
No, my boy, no l can manage. Don't
mind me. l can't talk, but / will listen.
May the Lord have mercy on me, / will
listen!"
He suffered that right as few men have
suffered. Many murderer has had to
endure the torments of haunted con-
science, but few can have been narrowed
by hearing their own sons lauding to the
Il. 10
selves and TO their dead mother
He was master of his emotions suf
fciently to control his voice. lie pune
tuated their recital by occasional com
ments that showed he appreciated every
point He examined with interest spcci-
mems of their work, for they understood
both the stitching and the stamping of
leather, and once he found himself duly
specializing as to what career he would
have carved out for himself We're he given
in hoyhood the opportunities they re
joiced in.
But throughout there was in his sur
charged brain a current of cunning pur-
pose. First, there was Grcnier, away in
the north. robbing a dead man and plot
ting desolation 20 some girl. He must
be dealt with
Then he, the slayes must be slain, and
by his own hand He would spare his
sons as much pain as might be within
his power.
He would not merely disappear, leav-
ing them dubious and distressed. No.
They must know he was dead, not by
suicide, but by accident They would
mourn his wretched memory Better
that than live with the abiding grief of
the knowledge that he was Philip An
sons murderer.
He was quite sure now that the dead
would arise and call for vengeance If he
dared to continue to exist. Yes, that was
ia life for a life-a prayer that ms
deeds might not bear fruit in his children
and then death, speedy, certain death.
Some reference to the future made by
Willie, the younger, who favored his
mother more than the outspoken John,
gave Mason an opportunity to pave the
way tor the coming separation.
Il don't want you two lads to make
any great changes on my account, he
sad, slowly. 1t is far from my intention
to settle down here, and let all your
friends become aware that YOU are sup
porting ticket of leave father. Yes,
know. You are good boys, and it won't
be amy more pleasant for me toto live
away from you. imam IL would be Tor YOU
'inder-other conditions be sep
arated from me Butt am in earnest
IN this matter. | win stop here tonight
gust to feel that | am under the same
ROOF as YOU. 1t is your roof. not mine
Long ago | lost the right 10 provide you
with q shelter Tomorrow | 90 away
nave some wsrk to do-a lot Of work
1t must be attended to at once OF
will oft
meet in the evening-go out together
"Hi live herewith you'll can't"
Ills sons never knew the effect that
TINS speech cost him He spoke with such
manifest hesitation that Willie, who
quickly interpreted the less pronounced
signs OF a mans thoughts. winked warm
lny nj his brof her