Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-01-08
CHAPTER XN.
. HIP was thrown into the Sc

ing.
The inspector received him gracious
~, thus chasing from the eX-convicts
mind a lurking suspicion that matters
were awry. There is q curious SYM
pathy between the police and well
! known criminals. They meet with
friendliness and exchange pleasantries,
ms watch dog might fraternize with
Il wolf in off hours.
But Mason had no responsive smile
or ready quip.
whats up?" he demanded morosely.
You sent for me. Here am. would
have brought my ticket sooner il you
hadn't written"
"All right, Mason. Keep your wool
on. Do you remember Superintendent
Robinson?"
lin that was inspector in White
chapel when I was put away? Rath-
en-"
well, some friends of yours have
been inquiring from him as to your
whereabouts. He sent a message round,
and promised that you should meet
them If you showed up. l was half
afraid you had bolted to the States.'
Friends! have no friends
ooh, yes. you have-very dear friends,
indeed
''Then where are they?
lie glared around the roomy police
office, but 1t was only tenanted by pc.
licemen attending to various books or
chatting quietly across huge counter.
His surly attitude did not diminish
the inspectors kindness
Don't be SO doubtful on that point,
Mason. Have you no children?"
Something in the police officers eyes
gave the man clew. His swarthy
face flushed and his hands clinched.
YES" he said huskily, 81 left two
boys. Their mother died. They were
lost. I have looked for them every
w.era'
Inspector Bradley pointed to door
Go into that room," he said quietly,
"and you will find them. They are
waiting there for you.''
Mason crossed the sanded floor tlkc
one walking in his sleep. He eXper-
enced no emotion. He was 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 We're stand
ing there talking. Their chat ceased as
he appeared. For an appreciablc time
father and sons looked Mt each other
with the curiosity of strangers
lie knew them first. He saw himself,
no less than their unfortunate and suf-
fering mother in their erect figures
the contour Of their pleasant faces.
To them he was unknown. The cid.
est boy was ten years old, the younger
eight, when they last met But they
- read message in the mans hungering
eyes, and they We're the first to break
the suspense.
Father" cried John.
The other boy sprang to him without
q word
He took them in his arms. He was
choked. From some buried font came
their names, but not a ceherent SEN
tence could he utter.
They We're splendid fellows, he
thought, SO tall and well knit. so nice
hammered, SO thoroughly overjoyed to
meet him.
That was the best of it. They had
sought him voluntarily. They knew his
record and We're not ashamed to own
him. During the long days and nights
of ceaseless inquiry he was ever tor
mented by the dread lest his children,
If living, should look on him as ac-
cursed, a blot on their existence.
He half hoped that he might discover
them in some vile stun, where crime
was hallowed and convicts were he
roes. He never pictured them as hon
est, well meaning youths, SONS Of
whom any father might be pro.d, for
In that possibility lurlied the gnawing
terror of shame and reputation.
Mason's heart was fall. He could not
thank God for his mercy. That re-
source of poor humanity was denied
him, and, to his credit be 1t said, he
was no hypocrite.
His scared soul awolie to softer feel
ings, as his eyes, his ears, his very
heart, drank in fuller knowledge of
them, but lie was tormented in his joy
by an agonize1 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 Il sterner jus
tlce than tire 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 We're
well dressed and Wore spotless linen.
Apolice station was no place for con.
fidences. Indeed both boys were awesl
by their surroundings.
They passed into the outer office, and
Mason went TO thank Inspector Brad
ley.
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
tile pleased officer.
The reminder Jared, but it was IN
avoidable. Mason got his ticket in.
dorsed the lads looking on shyly the
whlle, ana the three regained the free
dom of the street.
'I-et us find some place to sit down.
and have a drink" suggested Mason.
NO. father said John, With frank
smile. Neither of us takes drink
Come home with us. We have Il room
ready for YOU
II have lodgings
''You can go there tomorrow ana get
your belongings"
Yes. Jump into this cab" urged
Willie. I'VE live in Westminster. II
is not very far
Mason was fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption of authority. They
spoke like young gentlemen, with the
accent that Detokens 4 good education
He yielded without Il protest.
FThnp of al, In, Il,