The Forrest City times., 1908-12-25
He was taking a lover's way Of 1

the journeys end. There's Toano! We'll be there in 20 minutes, haven't said half I wish. Oh. my darting, n just the same nameless man! I've nothing 10 offer you. Will you wait still a little longer? Stella. I've no right to taste of heaven; I've been cheating you" he finished ruefully.
 "i think-I think I'd rather be so cheated than have any other mans honesty" she said, with her first touch of shyness.
 Yet you must now know the truth about me. 1 ought to have told you before. My father thought me thief. turned me adrift, forbade me to use his name. Until l can prove him in the wrong I cannot offer you the only name I'm willing you should have"
 Hut how could he call you 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. I didn't steal. but I caused some one else to do it. And my fa- ther 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 ve lemently.
 God knows I didn't mean it; but h1tF urb fol ia, jumps in" He gazed past her into the dlm desert.
 She caressed his cheek. but was si- lent.
 It's long story-Ill tell it all some day You'll like to hear about Max. Max Ober, my lifelong friend, as his father and mine were always friends. They were poor boys together; but my father grew rich rapidly; MT. Ober 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, It was criminal. I was the older, the leader, Max's model. He came to college when l entered my Junior year. and teok him at once into my own rollicking clique. We weren't vicious, only silly. indulging in various costly pranks that seem to sprung from q young cubs desire to destroy things. the same whether it's boy, bear or pup. Afterward I knew how Mir. Ober had crippled himself that Max might return my dinners at five dollars q plate, or light his Ha. Kanas with currency. Remittances from home did not begin to suffice. Max borrowed heavily, his association with me making that dangerously easy, and left college when I did great. Y in debt. We both entered my fa- ther's bank"
 A double whistle warned them of the approaching station.
 Oh. it was the same old story A fred continued hastily. MT. Cber, broken in health. called for q part Of Max's salary. Max. beside himself. falsely proud toward me. and genuine. ly anxious 10 spare his father. summed every one, pinched. paid a little. but not fast enough. Then he began to gamble, successfully at first. but after. wards losing and then he plunged, and dipped into the banks till. hap pened upCn him one night after all the others had gone He vas toiling feverishly at his books. loaded pistol at his side. forced from him the whole story" He stopped. and Esther saw his jaw set s5ernly
 Yet you Alfred" she began. but he went on without needing her
 For the first time realized the moral obligation money imposes. the Mephistophelian part l had played in MaX's life. l beat down his objections made him transfer t8 my account h7s doctored bank record and pledged him to secrecy. Since We had been fools together We should repent together. l hadn't tenth of the maaee needed to pay; but l would tell ny father. ask him for time 10 work out the defic.t-
 And woul.nt your fathere" Esther began indignantly.
 Before l could explain. tho secret expert discovered me, reported te my father. He refused me a hearing. dIs. owned me, commanded me to drop hls name, name all Boston honors That hurt worst of all He finished and 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 Waif,a She rose to her feet, her face glowing With love and pride
 He stood beside her. cheered by her eager approval. 'I said it was the same but it isn't; I'm thousands near CT Gideon helped to-"
 Alfred. I've such a lot of money, Let me-
 Never yoars. dear love. I must earn my own way 10 my name. our name
 Oh, can't you let me help you a IT, tie Alfred? It's been such a long hard way"
 Not much longer-it may be as4