The new South-news., 1908-02-08

MY dead wifi gave Arna Into my
Keeping" be said. II have neglected
her. but there are limits 10 this neglect.
I nin her natural protector. her de-
fcndcr-he aYonger. u need be-
ANDREW regarded him steadily.
There can be- no disputiDg this" he
said "Buf you came here TO tel me
something eisc'
Yes aid the older man. And yet
that's a pnrt OF II. too" He paused
moment. II md Il hard. Glib NJ I am.
10 explain further. LEI me begin by
saying that | am the natural enemy
of every man who absorbs an undue
siinrc o. tie wealth OF the nation. |
look upon q rich man as . dangerous
parasite. nscriDc bad motives 20
him l give him no credit for charity.
for honesty of purpose. for unsclnsh-
ness This S. a part OF my creed. J
think The worst OF these gllded pcsfa Of
society until ! know Them beftcr-and
then ! misdouht my lcnicncy. You
are n prospCrlne man. Andrew Bar.
tongr
"Yca. have no cause 20 complnln."
"you are building lp great Dusi.
nossg7
"ft 81 increasing rapidly"
"YOu viii become a rich manr'
"if all goes we'll"
Tho older man gi0wcrcd at the
younger.
~ viii admit that men speak wen Of
you" De- a1id. "fhcy tell me you were
a boy OF the streets and the only sup
port Of an invalid mother. That's
good. Ana you have an bonost face.
That counts for something. Eut your
money is against you"
Come, come" said Andrew. little
sharply, what Is It you really wish to
say to me? | have listened patiently
to your strange remarks. Make your
SELF clearer and let us get to the
point"
II Will" said the older man. He
spoke hurricdiy. Then he leaned a
little forward and looked into An.
drcw's eyes. "What Is there" he slow.
ly asked. "bcfwccn you ana my Annaf p
Andrew started and fiushcd. But
the gaze that met the older mans ala
not finch.
"rhcrc IL nothing" he said. what
do you mcanW
you have made love to hcFT'
"No.r
"Nou have led her to believe that
you cared FOR hcrf'
"No."
uNnt, l,,.a so ,4o.,r .,lonc,. 1,tf,1 ..,,,
TO the fact that those who take their
wages az your hands have souls and
hearts. and feeling mayhap even more
sensitive than your own:'
"rhat Is false and idle talk. Why
do You come here aud accuse me OF
these thingsg'
"Nour face Is an honest one and your
voice has an honest ring. But how
can | believe your
"comc. come.' cried Andrew" enough
OF this Tel me at once what Il Is that
prompts you 20 make these accusa.
tions"
The older man bowed his head.
"Ny poor Anna" he said. "shc came
home last night looking sore distressed
What Is It. my girly | asked. sac told
me she must quit her place. asked
why. She said Il was distasteful I,
her. but | could see she was hcldins
something back. Is the master no
klndY | asked She said he was al
ways Kind. And when she said Il she
looked so troubled that | blurted out o
n sudden. Is It because you love him
And with that she gave me n luicl
look from her brown cyes-they are 81
like her dead mothcr's-and burst int
tears. | said no more, hut | kept up
lot of thinking. Then l made up m,
mind to see you and have it out witt
you-and I'm here with mind that
torn with doubts and heart that call
for revenge his voice had bcel
raised little. hut Il suddenly dropped
, IL was going away" he said. "acros
to the Old country. They have sen
Cor me. They need me. | wanted I
7 see my Anna settled IN good home
the wife OF good man. I'm no com
r panion fer her. She could not 20 wit
+ me. | cannot leave her unprotected
. But she would have naught to do wit
I any man | might choose for her. An
( now | feel her peace of mind is Son,
: and her happiness Is some" He pause
4 and his eyes again sought Andrews.
, And you blame mcf"
II cannot help hut blame you"
+ "Yet | tell you ! am innocent"
o prove H."
4 "How can ~
"A "You must"
u Andrew looked at the dars face b,
r FORE him and was silent momen
Il Then he suddenly flushed.
= "rherc Is way" he said. "Stcp int
c this storeroom here and leave the do,
It ajar. | want you 20 hear all that
!, said. But. understand. yoa are not I
e Interrupt"
d The older man looked at him doub
L fully. Then he slowly stepped to IL
/ s,crcroom door and opened It.
s Don't forget that l am here" b
y said
r Il viii not forget"
4. The man disappeared as Andre
.s,f IN h.>