The Huttig news., 1908-08-29

 'I think-I think I'd rather be so cheated than have any other mans | honesty" she said, with her first touch of shyness.
 Yet you must now know the truth about me. I ought to have told you before. My father thought me thief, 1 turned me adrift, forbade me to use his name. Until I can prove him in the wrong I cannot offer you the only name I'm willing you should have"
 But how could he call you a thief? | He ought to know you simply couldn't steal. You steal!' Her eyes blazed, and she lifted her head proudly
 Her dear faith warmed him, yet his voice was sad.
 No, I didn't steal, but I caused some one else to do it. And my fa- 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.
 dOu huONS ulun G1cdH It, Sul Ire burns, whether one falls in or jumps in" He gazed past her into the dim desert.
 She caressed his cheek, but was si- lent
 Its long story--Ils tell it all some day. You'll like to hear about Max, Max Ober, my lifelong friend as his r,& They were poor boys ..s.ther; but my father grew rich rapidly; MT. 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!"
 "Worsei It was criminal was the older, the leader Maxs model He came to college when 1 entered my junior year. and 1 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 I knew now MT Ober had crippled himself that Max might return my dinners at live 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 I did great ly in debt. We both entered my fa- ther's bank"
 A double whistle warned them of the approaching station
 ''Oh, it was the same old story AL fred continued hastily Mir 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. summed every one, pinched. paid a 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 I hap pened upon him one night after all the others had gone. He was toiline feverishly at his books, loaded pistol | o' iiio SioO. IotSCQ HUH HlIu lup 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 I realized the moral obligation money imposes, the Mephistophelian part I had played in Max's life. l 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. l hadn't tenth of the money needed to pay; but l would tell my father, ask him for time to work out the deficit"
 And wouldn't your father?" Esther began indignantly.
 Before I 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 upi You've done grand a heroic thing,
 
 She rose to her feet, her face glowing with love and pride
 He stood beside her, cheered by her eager approval. 'I said it was the same, but it isn't; I'm thousands near. CT. Gideon helped to-"
 Alfred. I've such a lot of moneyi Let me"
 Never yours, dear love must earn my own way to my name. our name"
 "Oh, can't you let me help you a lit. tie. Alfred? It's been such long. hard way"
 Not much longer-it may be any day, sweetheart. I expect to sell some mining property for more than enough to pay in full. I shall know surely next week"
 The engine stopped They were at Tona; and Sally B. was flying cut to meet them.
 CHAPTER xxxtI