The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-07-02
Copyright, 1907, A. Q. Meclurs q Co., Chicago

when a distant gleam warned him OF
the journeys end. There's Toano!
Well be there in 20 minutesl / haven't
said half | wish. Oh my darling, I'm
just the same nameless man I've
nothing to offer you. Will you wait
still little longer? Stella, I've no
right to taste of heaven; I've been
cheating you," he finished ruefully.
81 think-I think I'd rather be SO
cheated than have any other man 8
honesty" she said, with her first
touch of shyness.
Yet you must now know the truth
about me. l ought to have told you
before. My father thought me thief,
turned me adrift, forbade me to use
the wrong l cannot offer you the only
name I'm willing you should have"
But how could he call you thief ?
He ought to know you simply couldn't
steal You steal" Fier eyes blazed,
and she lifted her head proudly.
Her dear faith warmed him, yet his
voice was sad.
mo, | didn't steal, but l caused
some one else to do it. And my ia.
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 l didn't mean It: but
fire burns, whether one falls in or
jumps in" He gazed past her into the
dim desert.
She caressed his cheek, but was 81
lent.
It's long story-I'll tell 1t 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 tcgother; but my
father grew rich rapidly; Mr., 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! 1t was criminal. was the
older, the leader Max's model. He
came to college when l entered my
junior year, and l took him at once
into my own rollicking clique. We
weren't vicious, only silly, indulging 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 Max might return my dinners at
five dollars plate, or light his Ha-
vanas 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 did great
ly in debt. We both entered my ia
theirs bank"
A double whistle warned them Of
the approaching station.
"Oh, 1t was the same old story" AL
fred continued hastily. "Mr. Ober,
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 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 upon him one night after all
the others had gone. He was toiling
feyerishly at his books, loaded pistol
at his side. | forced from him the
whole story" He stopped, and Esther
saw his jaw set sternly.
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 ! had played In
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 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, 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 grand, heroic thing
No matter how long we have to wait!"
She rose to her feet, her face glowing
with love and pride.
He stood beside her, cheered by her
eager approval. Il said Il was the
same, but 1t isn't; I'm thousands near
er Gideon helped to-"
Alfred, I've such a lot OF money!
Let me-"
Never yours. dear love. | must earn
my own way to my name, our name"
"Oh, can't you let me help you 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 | shall know surely
next week"
The engine stopped. They were at
Tona; and Sally B. was flying out to
meet them.
CHAPTER xxxiL
In the Little Spot Where the Poslss
"Sfalla daar l.id.aausa avlaxfn 0.li..