The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-07-18
CHAPTER VIII.


y UGENE did not inform Canaan
or any inhabitant of his ad-
venture Of the 'Straw Cellar"
nor did any hear Of his meeting
With his stepbrother, and after Mr..
Apps adventure five years passed into
tne 1mperishable before the town heard
or the Wanderer again, and then it
neard at first hand. Mr.. APPS proph-
ecy fell true, and he took 1t back to his
bosom again, claimed it as his own the
morning of it's fuldllment. Joe Louden
had come back to Canaan.
The elder Louden was the first to
know Of his prodigals return. He was
alone in the Office Of the wooden but
ter dish factory, of which he was the
superintendent, when the young man
came in unannounced He was still
pale and thin. His eyebrows had the
same crook, one corner Of his mouth
the same droop. He was only an inch
or so taller, not enough to be thought
tall man, and yet for a few moments
the father did not recognize his son,
but stared at him, inquiring his bust
ness. During those few seconds of IN
recognition Mr.. Louden was somewhat
favorably impressed with the stran-
gers appearance.
"9ou don't know me-" said Joe, smil-
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 Godw he said, not
noticing the outstretched hand. "Have
you come back?'
Joe's hand fell.
eyes, I've come back to Canaan"
Mr.. Louden plainly received this as
no pleasant surprise. "What for?'' he
asked slowly.
ITO practice law, father"
"What?"
Eyes," said the young man. "There
ought to be an opening here for me.
I'm graduate Of as good a law school
as there is in the country
Mr.. Louden leaned forward, a hand
on each knee, his brow deeply CORFU
gated.
"Who do you think in Canaan would
put case in your handsY'
"Oh, don't expect to get anything
important at the start, but after
aWhile''-
with your reputatiOn?"
'But that's seven years ago, and 1
suppose the towns forgotten all about
it and forgotten me too. So, you see, I
can make a 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. Il didn't ex-
pect it. Well, 1 won't keep you from
your work. I suppose you're pretty
busy"
Eyes, l am" responded his father
promptly. But I'll see you again be-
fore you 60 I want to give you some
advice"
"Im not going," said Joe. "Not go
ing to leave Canaan, mean. Where
Will unu Eugene Z!
"At the Tocsin office; he's the as
sistant editor. Judge Pike bought the
Tocsin last year, and he thinks a good
deal Of Eugene. Don't forget I said
to come to see me again before you
CO."
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.
II don't see any use in it," he an
swered. 1T 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 1 and all your
folks were ashamed Of you. I don't
see that we've got a call to be any
different now" He swung round 70
his desk emphatically on the last
word, and Joe turned away and went
out quietly.
But it was a bright morning to
which he emerged from the outer doors
OF the factory, and he made his wa!
toward Main street at a lively gait.
AS he turned the corner opposite the
National House he walked into Mr..
Eskew Arp. The old man drew back
angrily.
Lord a. mercy!' cried Joe heartily.
ITS Mr.. Arp! almost ran you