The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1908-06-12

back we're bought cIumn of his do
parting feet on
the stairs. The young man sat, lost
hopeless horror gripped his eyes run
ming mechanically over the closely
typewriter pages of the engineers re-
port Outsider as he was in matters of
practical business, Alwyn could see
that Horrigan had in no way exag
gerated the documents contents. He
knew, too, that the firm of engineers
who had drawn up the report were
the foremost of their sort and above all
shadow of suspicion.
Little by little the numbness lifted
from his brain, and in its place crept
horrible conviction of the truth. His
father-the gallant young soldier who
had won nations applause in the
civil war-the man who, poor and IN
Hided, had built up a fortune against
keenest competition and had earned
repute for sterling probity which had
ever been the delight and model of his
Bon-this was the man whom a low
BLACKBOARD like Horrigan now had the
right to revile-a man apparently no
better than the boss himself-than any
dishonest heller in the organization!
And, as If it were not enough that
the idol of a lifetime were hurled,
crushed and defiled, from its bright
pedestal, the family name must next
be dragged through the mire of polit-
zeal filth and Ill repute and the dead
mans memory forever blasted. Either
that or his son must withdraw from
the gallant fight he was waging against
civic corruption, for that Horrigan
would carry out his threat and blazon
forth to the world the story and proofs
of the elder Benefits shame Alwyn
had no doubt. With all his faults the
boss was man of his word.
stop your fight against u.s." Horri-
gan had said, "and the report is
burned"
Yes, the boss was a man of his word.
Even Bennett admitted that. He would
fulfill his promise in either event.
Listlessly Alwyn began to review
the case. On the one side a perhaps
! Quixotic fight for an abstract principle
"a fight whose reward was political
death, loss of the woman he adored,
family shame that might crush his
fragile old mother to the very grave.
On the other wealth, honor, love, the
governorship, future happy and glori-
Gus.
Was he not a fool to hesitate7 Had
he not salved his conscience sufficient
ly by vetoing the Borough franchise
billF Had he the right to bring this
new shame upon his mothers gray
head? Where lay his highest duty?
The soft rustling of silk and a hand
laid in light caress upon his head
aroused the miserable man from his
reflections.
Bennett looked up to see his mother
standing beside him. She had thrown
on wrapper and in sllppered feet had
stolen noiselessly into the study.
81 was awakened by voices" she ex-
planned. 81 thought heard some one
talking excitedly in here. Is anything
the matter?"
Nothing, nothing DEAR" he answer
ed gently, drawing the little old lady
affectionately down to a seat on his
knee and smiling manfully into her
sleep flushed face; nothing is the mat |
ter. Only business call"
"a business call at 2 o'clock in the |
morning. she exclaimed. Dear boy, |
you are working too hard. Your father |
never brought his business worries and |
work home. He always left them at
the office. Can't you do the same?
You'll wear yourself out"
my father began Bennett, but
the name choked him.
you are growing to be so much like
him." went on Mrs. Bennett fondly.
And it makes me so happy that you
are. Your splendid fight against that
Infamous Borough bill, for instance.
How proud he would have been of
that! 1t is just the sort of thing he
himself would have done in your place.
He was surrounded with wicked and
dishonest men just as you are. But
through It all he remained true. hon
orable. incorruptible What a grand
heritage for my son! He Alwynr
she broke of, alarmed. "why do you
look at me that way? | never saw
such a look in your eyes before. Are
you I'll? Has something happened that
you are keeping from meT
mo. no." evaded Bennett. 81 only
you had a caller here before
came in." pursued the mother. refusing
10 abandon the chew to which her wo- ,
manly intuition had led her. He
brought you bad news? Tell me, dear.
I'm your mother. and I love you"
"Nou are making my course more
difficult for me by asking such ques-
lions. mother" he answered wretched-
y. "and ~ !
Il only want to help you. Alwyn.
amt bear to see you miserable. A
wit and a mothers love are :
,ften a combination that can solve
beyond even the wisest
mans powers Of logic Let me help I
-ou."
Il was trying to make up my mind" b
replied Bennett. sorely dis o
ressed by her pleading. whether a v
nan ought TO follow his conscience. '
ven If IL leads TO heartbreak for those
Ie loves. or whether be ought to let
20 by the board for once
nd protect the happiness Of his loved
nes"
"Alwyni How can you hesitate
econd over such a question. One must
o right. no matter what the conse-
uence."
Il don't know about that" be said
loodily.
you know Il perfectly well II Is
that your father would have advised
nd But Alwyn. you surely are not
iaklng yourself unhappy over a mere