The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-08-06

ming mechanically over the closely
typewriter pages of the engineers re-
port. Outsider as he was in matters of
practical business. Alwyn could see
that Horrigan had in no way exag-
gerated the documents contents. He
knew. too, that the firm of engineers
who had drawn mp the report were
the foremost Of their sort and above all
shadow of suspicion.
Little by little the numbness lifted
from his brain, and in its place crept
horrible conviction of the truth His
father-the gallant young soldier who
had won a nations applause In the
civil war-the man who. poor and un-
aided. had built up a fortune against
keenest competition and had earned q
repute for sterling probity which had
ever been the delight and model of his
son-this was the man whom low
blackguard like Horrigan now had the
| right to revile-a man apparently no
better than the boss himself than any
dishonest heeler in the organization!
And, as If 1t were not enough that
the idol OF lifetime were hurled.
crushed and defled, from it's bright
pedestal. the family name must next
be dragged through the mire Of polt-
| 1cal filth and Ill repute and the dead
mans memory forever blasted Either
that or his son must withdraw from
the gallant fight he was waging against
civic corruption, for that Horrigan
would carry out his threat and blazon
forth to the world the story and proofs
of the elder Benefits shame Alwyn
had no doubt. With all his faults the
boss was man Of his word
"Stop your fight against u.s." Horri-
gan had said. land the report is
burned
Yes, the boss was man of his word
Even Bennett admitted that He would
fulfill his promise in either event
Listlessly Alwyn began to review
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, future happy and glori-
Gus.
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 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 wrapper anu II sHIpeFeu Tcrt -IIuu
stolen noiselessly into the study.
81 was awakened by voices" she ex.
planned. 81 thought heard some one
talking excitedly in here. Is anything
the mattefy'
"Nothing. nothing DEAR" he answer
ed gently, drawing the little old lady
affectionately down to seat on his
knee and smiling manfully into bel
sleep flushed face; nothing is the mat
ter Only business CALI
"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 ant
work home He always left them al
the Office Can't you do the same
You'll wear yourself out"
"My father began Bennett. bu
the name choked him.
.You are growing to be SO much lik'
him." went on Mrs. Bennett fondly
"And it makes ME SO happy that yo'
are. Your splendid fight against tina
infamous Borough bill, for instance
How proud he would have been o
: that! 1t is just the sort Of thing h
himself would have done in your place
He was surrounded with wicked an
dishonest men just as you are. Blu
r through it all he remained true. hoi
d orable. incorruptible. What gran
heritage for my SOP! He Alwyn!
= she broke off, alarmed. why 90 go
look at me that way? | never sa'
4 such look in your eyes before Ar
}. you III? Has something happened thi
you are heepliS from iiic.
. mo. no." evaded Bennett. Il only
u "You had caller here before
IT came in," pursued the mother. refusin
IS to abandon the clew to which her VI
l. manly intuition had led her. II
3; brought you bad news? Tell me. dea
q Pm your mother. and love you.
u 'You are making my course MOI
y difficult for me by asking such que
If tions, mother" he answered wretche
v ", land r.
'e Il only want to help you. AlHyn
:: can't bear to see you miserable.
ar woman's wit and mothers love a
81 often a combination that can sol
It. mans powers of logic. Let me he
YOU
II was trying to make up my mind
IL vaguely replied Bennett. sore!, d
=. tressed by her pleading. whether
n man ought to follow his cons;tian'
es even If it leads to heartbreak for the
s. he loves. or whether he ought TO
7. conscience go by the board for Oh
rs and protect the happiness Of his 10y
s.. ones"
DO "AIwyn. How can You hesitate
Sc second over such a question. One Mi
II do right. no matter what the con-
he quence.'
ch Il don't know about that" he $:
on modify.
~ "You know it perfectly well 1t
ur what your father would have ad1is
CO and But. Alwyn, you surely are |
X, making yourself unhappy over mi
|