The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-07-04

LET me say what nave " SOY -
nv own way" he began. Il have FOUND
out that some shadow has come Pc
tween you and Joseph Carlfn. wait
please. It is shadow that threatens
to wreck his happiness yours
He is proud, he feels that something
has happened that will disgrace MS
good name-a name that he cannot ask
you to bear"
The girl was looking away. The
flush had faded from her cheeks.
"why do you say this to me| she
family asked.
Because 1 want you to understand
what my-what Joseph Carlin means
when he talks of an impending dis
grace. 1 can tell you this because l
am the cause of all his trouble"
"You!"
"Yes. I am Joseph Carlin's father"
She stared at him in amazement.
Il thought his father was dead"
Better so, perhaps-but am Ezra
Carlin."
but Wny!
He stopped her with gesture.
81 see you do not remember. Years
ago, when you were little girl, there
was a bank here in Arlington. The
banker speculated, the bank was
wrecked, the depositors lost their
money, the banker ran away and he
never was captured"
II remember now" she said.
II am that banker. I am Ezra
Carlin."
why are you here"
"My conscience has driven me back
I am here to pay that debt of shame
every dollar. Then will give myself
up for punishment. l have come here
and told you this because it Is not fair
that the sin of the father should be
visited on the son. beg you will let
him do nothing rash. Oh, do not wreck
your lives because of me-"
The girl looked at him.
II am very sorry" she softly said.
Il see you have sutherland you will
pay back all that was lost. Joseph is
wrong. 1t happened so long ago. You
are Joseph's father He must not for
get that" She put Que her slim hand.
He caught it between his own.
"God bless you," he said, little
brokenly.
81 thank you for coming and telling
me this" she said. IL am glad to know
the truth. Joseph has no good excuse
for casting me aside He shall know
it when we meet again"
Eyes, yes" said the old man. "Tell
him plainly. Make him listen to you.
He is proud, but his pride must not
stand in the way. And you-you do
not despise me?''
mo, MOI" cried the girl. Il remem-
Der now that heard my father telling
that a certain neighbor owed him
money which he would have paid If
the bank hadn't failed. Ny father
needed the money. 1t was great hard
ship to him to be deprived Of it. Yet
l know that he forgave you. Then
why should the daughter of that ia
ther-a daughter who has naught to
forgive-withhold her hand from the
father of the man she has promised to
marry?"
There were tears in the old mans
eyes as he turned to 60.
Father and son were busy men the
next day, busy with the checks that
were to be mailed to the living depos-
itors of the bank and to the heirs Of
the dead depositors. 1t was task
that could not be hurried. There were
the names to be checked and the checks
to be filed and the addresses to be
written But presently the task neared
completion.
Il am a little tired" said the old
man. II think 1 will 60 out into the
open air. Have no fear-I will soon
return He came back after little
while, and the young man pointed to
the pile of addressed envelopes that
only needed stamps to start them on
the way to depositors
"In half an hour" said the young
man. "they will all be gone"
Ezra Carlin nodded.
"And them" he said, Il will take my
punishment"
The young man turned and looked up
at him. Despite the difference in years,
despite the gray locks and the care
worn face, the two men were much
alike In both features and expression.
LET us hear no more Of that" he
harshly said.
what do you mean"
II mean that you are not to stand
trial for that almost forgotten offense.
You are old, you are i'll, you have suf-
fered sixteen years Of punishment, you
have made all the amends in your
power. 1t is enough"
"But there are indictments and
charges against me. want to plead
guilty to them"
"You cannot, you shall not. There
are no charges against you, no indict-
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