The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-23

FIRE burns. whether one falls In or
jumps n" He gazed past her into the
dim desert.
She caressed his cheek. but was ST.
lent.
It's a long story-IW 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; Mr.. ODER has
always been poor. Yet Max was his
only SOL and idol; and both fathers
tried to prevent Max and me from
recognizing the part that money
played in our lives"
How foolish!"
Worse! II was criminal. | was the
older, the leader, Max's model. He
came TO college when / entered my
junior year, and | took him at once
into my own rollicking clique. We
weren't vicious, only silly, INDUCING in
various costly pranks that seem to
spring from a young cubs desire to
destroy things, the same whether it's
boy. bear or pup. Afterward | knew
how Mr.. Ober had crippled himself
that Mas might return my dinners at
five dollars a plate, or light his Ha.
vanas with currency. Remittances
from homo did not begin to suffice.
Max borrowed heavily, his association
with me making that dangerously
easy, and left college when | did great.
ly in debt. We both entered my "a
theirs bank"
A double whistle warned them of
the approaching station.
"Oh, it was the same old story Al.
fred continued hastily. "Mr. ODER,
broken in health. called for a 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 %
gamble, successfully It first, but after.
wards losing; and then he plunged,
and dipped into the banks till. / hap
pened upon him one night after all
the others had gone. He was toiling
feverishly at his books, q loaded pistol
at his side. | forced from him the
whole story" He stopped, and Esther
Jaw his jaw set sternly.
yet you, Alfred" she began, but
be went on without needing her.
For the first time l realized the
moral obligation money imposes, the
Mephistophelian part l had played N
Max's life. | beat down his objections,
made him transfer to my account his
doctored bank record and pledged him
to secrecy. Since we had been fools
together we should repent together.
hadn't a tenth Of the money needed
to pay; but | would tell my father, ask
him for time to work out the deficit
And wouldn't your father?" Esther
began Indignantly.
Before / could explain, the secret
expert discovered me, reported to my
father. He refused me a hearing, dis.
owned me, commanded me to drop his
name, a name all Boston honors. That
hurt worst of ALL" He finished and
dropped his eyes.
alfred. don't look down, look uni
You've done a grand, a heroic thlngl
No matter how long we have to waltz
She rose to her feet, her face glowing
with love and pride.
He stood beside her, cheered by her
eager approval. IT said 1t was the
same, but 1t isn't; Pm thousands near.
er. Gideon helped to-"
alfred, I've such a lot of money!
Let me-"
Never yours, lear love. | must earn
my W way to my name, our name
"Oh, can't you let me help you q lit
tie, Alfred? It's been such a long,
hard way"
Not much longer-it may be any
day, sweetheart. ! expect to sell some
mining property for more than enough
to pay In full. I shall know surely
next week."
The engine stopped. They werc at
iona; and Sally B. was flying out to
meet them.