Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-30

the case. On the one side perhaps Quixotic fight for an abstract principle "a fight whose reward was political death, loss of the woman he adOred. family shame that might crush his fragile old mother to the very grave. On the other wealth, honor, love, the governorship, a future happy and glori- ous.
 Was he not fool to hesitate? Had he not salved his conscience sufficient ly by vetoing the Borough franchise bill? Had he the right to bring this new shame upon his mothers gray head? Where lay his highest duty? The soft rustling of silk and a hand laid in light caress upon his head aroused the miserable man from his reflections.
 Bennett looked up to see his mother standing beside him. She had thrown on a wrapper and in slippered feet had stolen noiselessly into the study.
 'T was awakened by voices," she ex- plained. T thought I heard some one talking excitedly in here Is anything the matter?'
 Nothing, nothing dear" he answer ed gently, drawing the little old lady, affectionately down to a seat on his knee and smiling manfully into her sleep flushed face; nothing is the mat ter. Only business call.'
 "A business call at o'clock in the morning. she exclaimed. Dear boy, you are working too hard. Your father never brought his business worries and work home. He always left them at the office. Cant you do the same? You'll wear yourself out
 My father began Bennett but the name choked him.
 You are growing to be so much like him." went on Mrs. Bennett fondly. And it makes me so happy that you are. Your splendid fight against that infamous Borough bill, fer instance. How proud he would have been of that. It is just the sort of thing he himself would have done in your place. He was surrounded with wicked and dishonest men just as you are. But through it all he remained true, hon orable, incorruptible. What grand heritage for my son. He Alwyn" she broke off, alarmed, why do you look at me that way? I never saw such look in your eyes before. Are you i'll? Has something happened that you are keeping from me?'
 'sNo, no," evaded Bennett. T only"- 'You had a caller here before came in" pursued the mother, refusing to abandon the clew to which her wo- manly intuition had led her. He brought yon bad news? Tell me, dear! Pm your mother. and I love you.'
 You are making my course more difficult for me by asking such ques- lions, mother" he answered wretched- ly. and T'-
 q only want to help you, Alwyn. I can't bear to see you miserable. A woman's wit and a mothers love are often a combination that can solve problems beyond even the wisest mans powers of logic. Let me help you
 
 vaguely replied Bennett, sorely dis ressed by her pleading. whether a man ought to follow his conscience, even if 1t leads to heartbreak for those he loves. or whether he ought to let conscience go by the board for once and protect the happiness of his loved ones"
 "Alwyn! How can you hesitate q Fecond over such a question. One must do right, no matter what the conse- Auence."
 q don't know about that he said moodily
 You know it perfectly well. It is what your father would have advised md- But, Alwyn. you surely are not making yourself unhappy over a mere supposititious case?"
 'sweIl.s he continued. "let us take ( mere supposititious case if you like, Suppose, for instance. that man hold ing a position of trust had had ia. ther whose memory he honored and revered as do my own father's"-
 "Yesg' prompted Mrs. Bennett as he paused.
 Suppose some one tempts him to be tray his position of trust. even as have lately been tempted, and threat ems in case of his refusal to make public certain facts which would prove his dead father to have been a scoun drei. Now. what should the man do Should he let his fathers sacred mem ory be trampled in the mud. let hi autv 20 by default and save"-
 ii would be an awful responsibility 70 decide such a question" said Mrs Bennett. with a little shudder, ''bu there could be only one reply"
 "And that isE
 ~He must do his duty. be the resulti what they may"
 "You really think soy
 ~There can be no doubt Right il right and''-
 1t shall be as you say" grOanet Alwyn.
 sswhatg- dueried Mrs. Bennett. star tied at the despair in his voice. ID, you mean fl is an actual case: Som' friend of yours. perhaPs?-
 Bennett nodded
 -Oh. the poor. poor fellow. she sym pathized. What q terrible position for him. Ii was he. perhaps. that heard taking to y< in here just now No wonder he seemed excited, Tn sins of the fathers shall be visited uPoI sA- -LstH-o- awa7 Fr-Fm FNa--
 Tt Is something less hard on th' children than on tbe wives muSst Bennett half to himself