The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-01

pane dho ILL., Ills eyebrows had the
same crook, one corner of hts Inor+h
the same droop. He was only nm inch
or so taller, not enough to be fhorch+
q tall man, and yet for few noman+,
the father did not recognize his co..,
but stared at him, inquiring his hus,.
ness. During those few seconds of I'm.
recognition Mr.. Louden was somewhat
favorably impressed with the stran-
gers appearance.
"You don't know me-" said Joe. smiI-
ing cheerfully. Perhaps I've changed
in seven years" And he held out his
hand
Then Mr.. Louden knew. He tilted
back in his desk chair, his mouth fall
ing open. Good Cod" he said. not
noticing the outstretched hand. "Have
you come back?"
Joes hand fell.
Eyes, I've come back to Canaan"
Mr.. 1ouden plainly received this as
no pleasant surprise. what for?'' he
asked slowly.
ITO practice law father"
"What?"
"Yes," said the young man. There
ought to be an opening here for me.
I'm a graduate Of as good law school
as there is in the country"
Mr. Louden leaned forward, hand
on each knee, hts brow deeply CORFU
gated.
"Who do you think in Canaan would
nut O case in vour hands9"
ooh, don't expect to get anything
important at the start, but otter
awhile"-
with your reputation~
"But that's seven years ago, and l
suppose the towns forgotten all about
It and forgotten me too So, you see, /
can make fresh start That's what
came back for"
II don't believe" said Mr.. Louden,
with marked uneasiness, that Mrs.
Louden would be willing to let you
live with u.s."
NO" said Joe gently. 81 didn't ex-
pect it. Well, 1 won't keep you from
your work. l suppose you're pretty
busy"
Eyes, 1 am" responded his father
promptly. but III see you again be-
fore you go. 1 want to give you some
advice"
I'm not going" said Joe. "Not go.
ing to leave Canaan, I mean. Where
will find Eugene?"
AT the Tocsin office; he's the as
sistant editor. Judge Pike bought the
Tocsin last year, and he thinks q good
deal of Eugene. Don't forget l said
to come to see me again before you
60"
Joe came over to the older man and
held out his hand. Shake hands, ia
ther," he said Mr.. Louden looked at
him out of small implacable eyes, the
steady hostility Of which only his wife
or the imperious Martin Pike, his en-
ployer, could quell. He shook his
head.
Il don't see any use in it," he an
swered. at wouldn't mean anything.
All my life I've been a hard working
man and an abiding man. Before you
got in trouble you never did anything
you ought to. You ran with the low
est people in town, and l and all your
folks were ashamed Of you. I don't
see that we've got call to be any
different now" He swung round RI
his desk emphaticaIly on the las
word, and Joe turned away and wen
out quietly.
But It was a bright morning to
which be emerged from the outer doors
Of the factory, and he made his way
toward Main street at lively gait
AS he turned the corner opposite the
National House he walked into Mr..
Eskew Arp. The Old man drew back
ongrfly.
"Lord "a mercyi" cried Joe heartily.
"Ies Mp. Arp! I almost ran you
DOWN. Then, as Mr.. Arp made no
response, but stood stock still In the
way, staring at him hercely: Don't
you know me, Mr. ArpT' the young
man asked. I'm Joe Louden."
Eskew abruptly thrust his face close
to the others. "No free seatsr' he
Kissed savagely and swept across to
the hotel to set his world afre.
Joe looked after the irate receding
figure and watched it disappear into
the Main street door of the National
House. AS the door closed he became
aware Of a mighty shadow upon the
pavement and, turning, beheld a fat
young man wearing upon his forehead
a scar similar to his own waddling by,
with eyes fixed upon him.
How are you, Norbert?'' Joe began.
Don't you remember me? r. He
came to a full stop as the fat one,
thrusting out an under lip as his only
token Of recognition, passed balefully
on
Joe proceeded slowly until he came
to the Tocsin building. At the foot Of
ITO BE Continued