The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-01
CHAPTER Xxx.
NEMESIS.


Dointment with Inspector Bradley on
Thursday evening
The inspector received him gracious
~, thus chasing from the ex-convict' S
mind a lurking suspicion that matters
were awry. There is a curious SYM
pathy between the police and we'll
known criminals. They meet with
friendliness and exchange pleasantries,
as a watchdog might fraternize with a
wolf in off hours.
But Mason had no responsive smile
or ready quip.
What's up?" he demanded. morose-
~. you sent for me. Here / am.
would have brought my ticket sooner
n you hadn't written"
'All right, Mason. Keep your wool
on. Do you remember Superintendent
Robinson?"
Him that was inspector in White
chapel when ! was put away? Rather"
We'll, some friends of yours have
been inquiring from him as to your
Whereabouts. He sent message round
and / promised that you should meet
them if you showed up. 1 was half
afraid you had bOlted to the states
Friends. I have no friends"
"Oh, yes, you have-very dear
friends, indeed"
Then where are they?"
He glared around the roomy police
Office, but 1t was only tenanted by po-
licemen attending to various books Jr
chatting quietly across huge coun-
ter.
His surly attitude did not diminish
the inspectors kindness.
Don't be so doubtful on that point,
Mason. Have YOU no ehildren?"
Something in the police officers eyes
gave the man a clew His swarthy
face flushed and his hands clipched.
L.
boys. Their mother died. They were
lost. I have looked for them every
where"
Inspector Bradley pointed TO a door.
Go into that ROOM" he said. quiet
". "and you will find them. They
are waiting there for you"
Mason crossed the sanded floor like
one walking in his sleep He expert
enced TO emotion. He was a man
stunned for the nonce.
He opened the door of the waiting
room and entered cautiously. He might
have expected hoax, jest, from his
attitude.
Two stalwart young men were stand
Ing there talking. Their chat ceased
as he appeared. For an appreciable
time father and sons looked at each
other with the curiosity of strangers
He knew them first. He saw himself
no less than their unfortunate and
suffering mother. in their erect figures,
the contour of their pleasant faces.
To them he was unknown. The eldest
boy was 10 years old, the younger s.
when they last met But they read a
message in the mans huhgering eyes,
and they We're the first to break the
SUSPENSE.
Father" cried John.
The other boy sprang to him with
out a word.
He took them in his arms. He was
choked. From some buried font came
iong-forgotten tears. He ,murmured
their names. but not a coherent SEN
tenoe could he utter.
They were splendid fellows. he
thought, so tall and well knit, so nice
hammered. so thoroughly overjoyed TO
meet him.
That was the best of II. They had
sought him voluntarily. They knew
his record, and were not ashamed to
own him. During the long days and
nights OF ceaseless inquiry he was ever
tormented by the dread lest his chill
dren, il living. should look on him as
accused. blot on their existence.
He half hoped that he might discover
them in some vile Stun. where crime
was hallowed and convictS were heroes.
He never pictured them as honest.
well-meaning youths, sons of whom
any father might be proud. for in that
possibility lurked the gnawing terror
OF shame and reputation
Mason's heart was full He could
not thank God for His mercy-that re-
source of poor humanity was denied
him, and, to his credit be IL said. he
was no hypocrite.
His scared soul aWol0e to softer feel
ings. as his eyes. his ears. his very
heart, drank in fuller knowledge of
Int h.n
JOY by an agOnized pang OF remorse.
Oh, that he could have met them with
hands free from further crime,
In some vague way he felt that his
punishment for Philip Anson's death
would be melted out BY a sterner JUS
tice than the law of the land. He
was too HARD man TO yield instantly.
He crushed back the rising flood OF
horror that threatened to overwhelm
him IN this moment of happiness. He
forced himself again TO answer their
anxious Inquiries, to note their little
airs OF manliness and self-reliance. to
see with growing wonder that they.
were well dressed and wore spotless
linen.
police station was no place for
condolences Indeed. both BOYS were
awed by their surroundings~
They passed into the outer office.
and Mason went to thank Inspector
Bradley.
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
the pleased officer
The reminder Jared. but il was I'M
avoidable. Mason got his ticket in
dorsed. the lads looking on shyly the
while. and the three regained the free
dom OF the street.
Let US find some place to sit down
and have a drink" suggested Mason.
mo, father" said John, with frank
smile. Neither of US takes drink.
Come home with us, We have a room
ready for you
Il have lodgings"
You can go there tomorrow. and
get your belongings
Yes, jump into this cab, urged
Willie. we live in Westminster. II
is not very far"
Mason vas fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption of authority They
spoke Ike young gentlemen. with the !
accent that betokens good education |
He yielded without protest
They sat three abreast In a han
som, and the vehicle scurried off to-
ward the Westminster Bridge road.
Mason was IN the center His
giant form leaned over the closed |
door OF the cab. hut he turned his head !
with interested eagerness as one or |
.fA IS III a.