The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-18

Father, do tell me t0hdt is the matter
forehead. He passed trembling hand
across his face and groaned aloud I'M
consciously:
"Oh, God forgive me!'
1t was the first prayer that had vol
unfairly left his lips for many day.
The boys heard. They interpreted ii
as an expression Of sorrow that his
own career should. have been so cut off
from their childhood and joyous youth.
"Well, cheer up, dad, anyhow" cried
the elder, much relieved by this con-
clusion. 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 well meant con-
ISOLATION, but for the sake of his sons
the man wrestled with his agony and
conquered 1t to some outward seeming.
When the cab stopped outside big
building he was steady on his feet
when he alighted, and he managed to
summon a CHASTITY smile to his aid as
he said to John:
II am sorry to set you a bad exam
pie, but that Is nothing new, is It? ]
must have some spirit, strong spirit, or
l can't keep up"
Certainly, father. Why not? 1t is
all right as medicine. Willie, you go
and get some brandy while 1 take IA
Their upstairs"
Their fat 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 a short one; their
hours of work, the variety of their
supplementary and every cheering
topic, indeed, until willie came with
bottle.
Roth 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 fall on his face. And then he said
to them:
Tell me all you know about Philip
Arson. 1t interests me-
Snap! The hard composition of his
pipe was broken in two.
What a pity" cried Willie. "Shall
/ run and buy you new one?"
mo, my boy, no. can manage.
Don't mind me- l can't talk, but will
listen. May the Lord have mercy on
me, / will listenv'
He suffered that night as few men
have suffered. Many murderer has
had to endure the torments of haunt
ed conscience, but few can have been
narrowed by hearing their own sons
landing to the sky the victims bene-
factions to themselves and to their
dead mother.
He was master of his emotions suffi-
GENTLY to control his voice. He pune
tuated their recital by occasional COM
ments that showed he appreciated ev-
cry point He examined with interest
specimens of their work, for they un-
perstood both the stitching and the
stamping of leather, and once he found
himself DULY specializing as to what
NoANNi hV NVuiu haNt Ndi NVu Oul LII
himself were he given in boyhood the
opportunities they rejoiced In.
But throughout there was in his sur
charged brain current of cunning
First. there was Greiner
away In the north, robbing dead man
and plotting desolation to some girl
He must he dealt with.
Then he, the slayer, 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
Anson's murderer.
He was quite sure now that the dead |
would arise and call for vengeance IL
he dared to continue to exist. Yes.
that was TIA life for life-a prayer
that his deeds might not bear fruit In
his children-and then death, speedy,
certain death
Some reference to the future made