Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-01-07

Il Think think I'd rather be -
cheated than have any other mans
honesty" she said, with her first
touch of shyness.
Yet you must now know the truth
about me. 1 ought to have told you
before. My father thought me a thief.
turned me adrift, forbade me to use
his name. Until l can prove him in
the wrong 1 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.
mo, 1 didn't steal, but 1 caused
some one else to do it. And my ia
Their 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 We
kemently.
God knows l didn't mean it; but
fire burns, whether one falls in or
jumps in" He gaSed past her into the
dim desert.
She caressed his cheek, but was ST.
lent.
Its a long story-IT tell it all some
day. You'll like to hear about Max.
Max ODER, my lifelong friend, as his
father and mine were always friends.
They were poor boys together; but my
father grew rich rapidly; MI. 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 cur lives"
How foolish!"
Worse! 1t was criminal. I was the
older, the leader, Max's model. He
came to college when | entered nv
Junior year, and l 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 | knew
how Mr.. ODER had crippled himself
that Man might return my dinners at
flVe dollars a 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 | did great
ly in debt. We both entered my ia
theirs bank"
A double whistle warned them of
the approaching station.
"Oh, it was the same old story" AL
fred continued hastily. "Mr. ODER,
broken in health, called for a part of
salary. Max, beside himself,
falsely proud toward me, and genuine
ly anxious to spare his father, Stunned
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 toiling
feverishly at his books, a loaded pistol
his side. | forced from him the
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 1 realized the
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.
hadn't a tenth Of the money needed
to pay; but 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 ny
father. He refused me a hearing, dis
owned me, commanded me to drop his
name, a lame all Boston honors. That
hurt worst of ALL" He finished and
dropped his eyes.
alfred, don't look down. look up!
done a grand, a heroic thing!
matter how long WI have to wait!"
She rose to her feet, her face glowing
love and pride.
He stood beside her, cheered by her
eager approval. II said it was the
same, but it isn't; I'm thousands near
or. Gideon helped to-"
ALFRED, I've such a lot of money!
Let me-"
Never yours, dear love. I must carr
ny W way to my name, our name"
"Oh, can't you let me help you a lit
lie, Alfred? It's been such a long,
lard way!"
mot much longer-it may be any
lay, sweetheart. l expect to sell some
property for more than enough
o pay in full. l shall know surely
lext week."
The engine stopped. They were at
iona; and Sally B. was flying out to
meet them.
cTo BE coNr1NuED.)
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