The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-07

| Little by little the numhuess llftet
from his brain, and IN lts place crcpt ,
horrible conviction OF the truth Ill
father the gallant young soldier WHIT
had won nations applause In th,
civil war the man who, poor and un
aided, had built up fortune agalns
kecnest competition and had earned i
ropute for sterling prohliy which hat
ever been the delight aud model OF his
son-this was the man whom a low
blackguard like lIorrlgan now had the
right TO revile-a man apparently nc
better than the boss himself than any
dishonest hceler In the organization!
And, as II II We're not enough thai
the Idol of lifetime were hurled
crushed ana detllcd from Its bright
pedestal, the family numo must mex,
be dragged through the mirc of pollt
ieal filth and III rcpute aud the dead
mans memory forever blasted. Either
that or his son must withdraw from
the gallant fight he was waglng agalns,
civic corruption. for that Horrlgau
would carry out his threat and blaZon
forth to the world the story aud proofs
of the elder Benefits shame Alwyn
had no doubt. With all his faults the
boss was n man OF his word.
stop your fight against u.s." lIorrl.
gan had said, "and the report Is
burned"
Yes, the boss was a man OF his word
Even Bennett admitted that. lie would
fuliill his promise In either event.
Listlessly Alwyn began 10 review
the case. On the one side a perhaps
Quixotic fight for an abstract principle
IA fight whose reward was political
death, loss of the woman he ndored
family shame that might crush his
fragile old mother TO the very grave
On the other wealth, honor, love, the
governorshlp, future happy and glorI'
Gus.
Was he not n fool TO hesitate? Had
he not salned his conscience sufficient.
ly by vetolng the Borough franchise
blllf Had he the right to bring this
new shame upon his mothers gray
head? Where lay his highest duty?
The soft rustllng OF silk ana a hand
laid In light careSs upon his head
aroused the miserable man from his
Bennett looked up TO see his mother
standing beside him She had thrown
on n wrapper and In slIppercd feet had
stolen noiselessly into the study.
II was awakened by voices" she ex.
planned. II thought heard some one
talking excitedIy in here. Is anything
The matterF'
Nothing, nothing dear" he answer.
ID gently, drawing the little old lady
down TO seat on his
Snee and smiling manfully into her
'leep flushed face; nothing Is the mat
er. Only business call"
"A business call at 2 o'clock in tho
she exclaimed. Dear boy,
iou are working too hard. Your father
lever brought his business worries and
work home. He always left them at
he office. Can't you do the sane2
iou'll wear yourself out"
MY father began Bennett, but
he name choked him.
"You are growing to he so much like
Iim," went on Mrs. Bennett fondly.
And 1t makes me so happy that you
re. Your splendid fight against that
Infamous Borough bill, for instance.
low proud he would have been OF
hat! 1t is Just the sort Of thing he
imself would have done In your place.
lie was surrounded with wicked and |
ishonest men just as you are. But
trough 1t all he remained true, hon
rable, incorruptlble. What n grand |
eritage for my son! He Alwynr |
he broke off, alarmed, "why do you
,ok at me that way? never saw
lch look in your eyes before. Are
ou III? Has something happened that
Oh are keeping from meW
"No, no." eyaded Bennett. 81 only
"You had caller here before |
lme in,' pursued the mother refusing
} abandon the clew to which her wo-
anly intuition had led her, He
Fought you bad news? Tell me, dear!
m your mother, and love you"
you are making my course more
fficult for me by asking such ques-
ons, mother" he answered wretched-
"and r.
7 only want to help you, Alwyn.
ant bear to see you miserable. A
'oman's wit and mothers love are
ften a combination that can solve
roblems beyond even the wisest
Ian's powers of logic. Let me help
ou."
II was trying to make up my mind"
lguely replied Bennett, sorely dis.
essed by her pleading, whether a
an ought to follow his conscience,
zen 1t It leads to heartbreak for those
: loves, or whether he ought to let
'nscience 90 by the board for once
I'd protect the happiness Of his loved
les."
"Alwyn! How can you hesitate n
cond over such question. One must
} right, no matter what the conse.
Ience."
II don't know about that" he said
ODDLY