Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-11-14

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 murmured
| their names but not a coherent SEN
| tence could he utter
They. were splendid fellows, he
thought, so tall and well knit, so nice
/ hammered, so thoroughly overjoyed to
meet him.
That was the best of it. They had
sought him voluntarily. They knew his
record and We're 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 &C.
| cursed, blot on their existence.
He half hoped that he might discover
them in some vile Stun. where crime
was hallowed and convicts were he
roes. He never pictured them as hon
est. well meaning youths, sons Of
whom any father might be proud, for
in that pos 3ibility 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 hypocrite.
I 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 meted 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 Oyerwhelm him in
this moment Of happiness. He forced
himself again to answer their anxious
inquiries, to note their little airs Of
manllness 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
ny Luelr SURROUNDINGS.
They passed into the outer office, and
Mason went to thank Inspector Brad
ley
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
the pleased officer.
The reminder Jared, but it was I'M
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 drink suggested Mason.
mo, father" said John, with 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 get
your belongings"
Yes. Jump into this cab" urged
Willie. I'VE live in Westminster. II
is not very far"
Mason was fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption of authority. They
accent that betokens good education
He yielded without a protest.
They sat three abreast in a hanson
and the vehicle scurred off toward the
Westminster bridge road.
Mason was in the center. His giant
form leaned over the closed doors OF
the cab, but he turned his head with
interested eagerness as one or other of
his sons addressed him.
II suppose. father, you are wonder
ing how we came to meet in such 9
place." said John.
ut might puzzle me If l found time
to think"
'Well, the superintendent arranged
everything. Unfortunately, he was
away on his holidays when-when yor
were released-or we would have me-
you then, and Ihis deputy was no
aware of the circumstances. AS sooI
as the superintendent returned h
wrote 10 the governor and was yer,
much annoyed to find that you hat
slipped away in the meantime
! He wouldn't be so annoyed if h,
: was there himself" growled MasoI
good humoredly.
vi, JOLlh ultIH llSdA ludL, idluHE,
: broke in Willie. THE annoyance wa
: his and ours. You see, we had no
known very long where you were. w
didn't even know you We're alive"
, "Of course. of course. Somebody ha
, been looking after you well. That
clear enough. They wouldn't be Away
, telling a pair of boys that their fathe
1. was in Portland"
n 1T gave us such shock when W
heard the truth" said downright JOIN
Q But we were so glad to hear tina
II our father was living aud that W
IS should soon see him." explained tn
younger.
J. ''When did you hear irst?"
. about four months ago. Just befor
q we took our present situations. We ar
- saddlers and ornamental leather worn
( D. a.