Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-30
came IN. pursued the mother. refusing

TO abandon the clew to which her wo.
manly intuition had lcd her. He
brought you bnd news? Toll me. dear!
I'm your mother. and love you"
You are making my course moro
difY'cult for me by asking such ques.
lions. mother" he answered wretchcd-
~. land ~
ri only want to help you. Aiwyn.
can't bear to see you miserable. A
womnn's wit and a mothers love are
ofton a combination that cnn solve
problems beyond even the wisest
mans powers Of logic. Let ire help
you."
Il was trying TO make UP my mind"
vaguely replied Bennett. sorciy dis
trcssed by her pleading. whether n
man ought to follow his conscience.
even II II lends IN henrthrcak for those
he loves. or whether he ought to let
conscience 80 by the hoard for once
and protect the happiness Of his loved
ones"
I "Alwyn! How can you hesitate 4
second over such n question. One must
d. right. no matter what the consc-
qucnce."
~ don't know about that" he snid
moodily.
"You know IL perfectly well. II Is
what your father would have advised
and But. Alwyn. you surely are not
making yourself unhappy over A mere
supposlttious casef"
We'll" he continued. "lct us take a
mere supposititious cnse' II you like.
Suppose. for instance. TINT a man hold
! ing n position Of trust had had IN.
ther whose memory he honored and
revered MS I do my own fathers"--
"Ycs?" prompted Mrs. Bennett MS ne
I paused.
Suppose some one tempts him to be-
tray his position Of trust, even MS !
have lately been tempted. and threat
ems In cnse Of his refusal TO make
public certain fncts which would prove
his dead father to have been sconn-
drcl Now. what should the man do?
Should he let his fathers sncred mem
DRY he trnmpled in the mud. let his
duty go by default md save
1T would be nm awful responsibility
to decide such a question" snld Mrs
Bennett. with little shuddcr. "but
there could he only one reply"
And that isl"
"Hc must do his duty, be the results
what they may"
you really think so?'
There can he no doubt. Right Is
right and
at shall be as you say" groaned
Alwyn.
"Whnt?" queried Mrs Bennett. star
tied at the despair In his voice. "Dt
you mean It is an actual case? Some
friend OF yours, perhaps?"
Pennctt nodded
"Oh. the poor. poor fellow" she sym
pathized What terrible position
for him! II was he. perhaps. that
heard talking to you In here just now
No wonder he seemed excited. Tit
sin. Of the fathers shall he visited upoI
the children even unto the
1T Is something less hnrd on th'
children than on the wives" unused
Bennett. hnlf 10 himself.
The wives? Your friend hns
moVncT UNlnSl mt TlHkcS IL uOuD'.
hard On. my son. every dny thanl
God In all humility that my HUSBAND
lived 50 blnmeless life md left 81
honorcc a name How grateful yO'
and I both ought to he for
ut Is easy enough to decide for som
I one You have revc- seem" retorte
F, Bennett almost rudely, but suppos
I the dishonest man In my story ha
I becn fnther and
- Il refuse TO suppose anything OF tn
l sort" interrupted his mother indil
r nnntly. rising to her feet Il wonde
u that you can speak so! How can 20
I suggest SO horrible n thing''
n lust a thoughtlcss. tactless spcec
n of mine. That's NIL" lied Alwyn. "It
: very lnte. You'll have a headache. II
n afraid Won't you 20 TO bedT'
. Yes. II IN late and I'm keeping 20
mp. Good night, dear. wish you
l. friend
= She checked herself suddenly. with
little gasp. Bennett. gancing up