Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-10-29

the journeys end. There's Toano!
Wen be there in 20 minutes! haven't
said half wish. Oh, my darling, I'm
lust the same nameless man! I've
nothing to offer you. VIII you wait
still little longer? Stella. I've no
right to taste OF heaven: I've been
cheating YOU" he finished ruefully.
Il Think think I'd rather be 80
cheated than have any other mans
honesty" she said. with her first
touch of shyness.
yet you must now know the truth
about me. ought to have told you
before. My father thought me a thief.
turned me adrift. forbade me to use
his name. Until | can prove him in
the wrong | cannot offer you the only
name I'm willing you should have"
hut how could he call you a thief?
He ought to know you simply couldn't
steal You steal" Her eyes blazed.
and she lifted her head proudly.
Her dear faith warmed him, yet his
voice was sad.
NO. didn't steal, but caused
Their had every right TO believe me
guilty" His voice dropped; his eyes
were shadowy.
But you never meant to, He should
have known that" she persisted We
lrmently.
God knows | didn't mean IL; but
fire burns. whether one falls in or
jumps in" He gazed past her into the
dim desert.
She caressed his cheek. but was 81.
lent.
It's long story-l'll tell II all some
day. Youll like to hear about Max.
Max ODER, my lifelong friend, as his
| father and mine were always friends
They were poor boys together; but my
father grew rich rapidly; Mr. ODER has
always been poor. Yet Max was his
only son and idol: and both fathers
tried to prevent Max and me from
recognizing the part that money
played in our lives"
How foolish"
Worse. IL was criminal | was the
older. the leader Max's model. He
|
junior year. and | took him at once
into my own rolllckIng clique. We
weren't vicious. only silly. INDUCING In
various costly pranks that seem 20
spring from young cubs desire TO
destroy things the same whether it's
boy, bear or pup. Afterward | knew
how Mr.. ODER had crippled himself
that Max might return my dinners at
five dollars a plate, or light his Ha.
vanas with currency. Remittsnces
from home did not begin to suffice.
Max borrowed heavily. his association
with me making that dangerously
easy and left college when did great.
~ in debt We both entered my IA.
theirs bank"
A double whistle warned them OF
the approaching station.
oh. It was the same old story" Al
fred continued hastily Mr. Ober
broken in health, called for part OF
MaX's salary. Max. beside himself
falsely proud toward me, and genuine
ly anxious TO spare his father. Stunned
every one, pinched. paid a little. but
not fast enough. Then he began "a
gamble. successfully at first, but after
wards losing: and then he plunged
and dipped into the banks till. hap
pened upon him one night after al
the others had gone. He was toiliL:
feverishly at his books, a loaded pisto
at his side. forced from him the
whole story" He stopped. and Esther
saw his Jaw set sternly.
Yet you. Alfred" she began. bu
he went on without needing her.
For the first time realized tbs
moral obligation money imposes the
Mephistophelian part had played IL
MnN's life. | beat down his objections
made him transfer to my account hi
doctored bank record and pledged him
to secrecy. Since We had been fool
together we should repent together
| hadn't a tenth OF the money needle,
TO pay: but would tell my father, ash
him for time to work out the deficit
And wouldn't your father?" Esthe
began Indignantly.
Before | could explain. the secre
|. expert discovered me, reported TO m,
. lalNtE. ne INluheu me HeaIluks uls
owned me. commanded me TO drop hi
name. a name all Boston honors. Tha
hurt worst OF all" He finished an,
dropped his eyes.
Alfred. don't look down. look up
You've done a grand. a heroic thing
: !, No matter how long we have TO wait!
She rose TO her feet, her face CLOWN
with love and pride.
He stood beside her, cheered by he
! eager approval. Il said II was IN
j same. but Il isn't; I'm thousands neal
er. Gideon helped to"
ALFRED, I've such a lot of money
o Let me"
Never yours. dear love. must ear
my own way TO my name. our name.
oh. can't you let me help you a ~
/ tie. Alfred? It's been such a lonl