The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-08


stunned for the nonce.
He opened the door of the waiting
room and entered cautiously. He might
have expected hoax, jest. from his
attitude
Two stalwart young men were stand
ing there talking. Their chat ceased as
he appeared. For an appreciate time
father and sons looked at each other
with the curiosity of strangers.
He knew them first He saw himself,
no less than their unfortunate and suf-
fering mother, in their erect figures,
the contour of their pleasant faces.
To them he was unknown. The ED
est boy was ten years old, the younger
eight, when they last met. But they
read message in the mans hungering
eyes, and they We're the first TO break
the suspense.
Father cried John.
The other boy sprang to him without
a word
He took them in his arms. He was
choked. From some buried font came
long forgotten tears. He murmurrd
lutlI udLuCos Jul IOl Il GOueIGul STU
tence could he utter
They were splendid fellows, he
thought, so tall and we'll knit, so nice
hammered, 80 thoroughly oyerjoyed TO
meet him.
That was the best of it. They had
sought him voluntarily. They knew his
record and were not ashamed TO own
him. During the long days and nights
of ceaseless inquiry he was ever tor
mented by the dread lest his children,
/ if living, should look on him as ac-
cursed, blot on their existence.
He half hoped that he might discover
! them in some vile slum, where crime
/ was hallowed and cOnvlcts were he
roes. He never pictured them as hon
est, well meaning youths, sons Of
whom any father might be proud, for
in that possibility lurked the gnawing
terror Of shame and reputation.
MaSon's heart was full. He could not
| thank God for his mercy. That re-
source Of poor humanity was denied
him, and, to his credit be it said, he
was no hypocrlte.
His scared soul awoke to softer feel
! ings, as his eyes, his ears, his very
heart, drank in fuller knowledge Of
them, but he was tormented in his Joy
by an agonized pang of remorse. Oh,
that he could have met them with
hands free from further crime!
In some vague way he felt that his
punishment for Philip Anson,s death
would be melted out by a sterner jus
tice than the law of the land. He was
too hard a man to yield instantly He
| crushed back the rising food of horror
that threatened to overwhelm him in
this moment of happiness. He forced
himself again to answer their anxious
inquiries, to note their little airs of
manliness and self reliance, to see
with growing wonder that they were
well dressed and wore spotless linen
A police station was no place for con
fidences. Indeed both boys were awed
by their surroundings.
They passed into the outer office, and
Mason went to thank Inspector Brad
ley.
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
TIC pledStQ OIICcE-
The reminder Jared, but it was I'M
avoidable Mason got his ticket in
dOrsed, the lads looking on shyly the
while, and the three regained the free
dom of the street.
LET us find some place to sit down
and have a drink" suggested Mason.
mo, father" said John, with a frank
smile. Neither of US takes drink
Come home with us. We have room
ready for you"
Il have lodgings
''You can go there tomorrow and ge
your belongings"
"Yes. Jump into this cab," urged
! Willie. I'VE live in Westminster l
is not very far
Mason was fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption of authority. They
spoke like young gentlemen, with tn,
accent that betokenS a good education
He yielded without protest
They sat three abreast in a hanson
and the vehicle scurried off toward tn,
Westminster bridge road
Mason was in the center. His gian
form leaned over the closed doors o.
the cab, but he turned his head will
interested eagerness as one or other Of
his sons addressed him.
Il suppose, father, you are wonder
ing how we came to meet in such
place." said John.
1T might puzzle me if 1 found tim
to think"
''Well, the superintendent arrange,
everything. Unfortunately, he wa
away on his holidays when-when yo
were released-or we would have me
you then, and his deputy was no
aware Of the circumstances. As 500
as the superintendent returned b
wrote to the governor and was yer
. much annoyed to find that you ha
slipped away in the meantime"
He wouldn't be SO annoyed if b
/ was there himself" growled Maso