The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-11-19

She had little money. but it did not
last long. Then she tried to work. but
1T was not easy, and-I-was earning
good wages, and-I helped her"
Haggleton's mind seized upon this
point and registered it in its usual
orderly manner. The attempt to es-
tablish pecuniary claim had come
earlier in the interview than lie had
expected.
You say you helped herr"
Eyes"
did she ask you for assistance?"
"No."
Then why did you help her?'
Because l loved her" And lower
still he added, 81 wanted her to marry
me-"
Good Godr' Haggleton exclaimed.
That's how she came to tell me
her story" continued Gentle.
What did she tell you?"
"She said." returned Gentle distinct
~, that you were cruel"
ITO her?"
I'm your dealings consumed with
greed for money. That is why she left
YOU"
Haggleton ruminated upon this.
"And that is why she left me-"
He thrust the thought away from
him.
WAS she-was she living alone?" he
asked,
"No; she had with her a child
your son."
The millionaire leaned back in his
chair. Yes, this man was no impostor
Thus far he had told n straight story.
His desire to know the truth which
he had sought for twenty years, and
his accurate judgment Of the man be-
fore him counseled him that it was
safe to proceed with less caution now.
'Why did she steal my son and hide
him from mew
ITO save him from your influence.
He was her son too. She wished him
to be an honest man."
"Who says that I am not an honest
manY
"Your wife said So"
Haggleton became impatient.
commanded imperiously. Then, with
a break in his voice, SIS he-is he
alive?"
Living and wellv
"My sonv' he added in an eager
whisper. II want to see him noww
He mastered the softened mood and
became his usual strong self again.
"Where is hep
"You will see him presently"
Haggleton's first suspicion suggest
ed itself again.
"Oh." he said. "you want to make
terms! You want money!
''If l wanted money, Mr.. Haggleton,
I should have asked for it long ago.
/ have known this for twelve years.
l sent you word Of her DEATH"
"Ah, it was you! You covered your
tracks well. 1t is you who have kept
my son from me for twelve yearsw
at was his mothers wish-her COM
mandw
"Her command? Then why have
you brought me here? What the devil
do you want"
"Let me finish. Your wife saw want
and suffering face to face. and it was
her dream that some day your son
should make atonement for his fathers
wrongdoing"
"Atonement?"
Both men had risen now. facing each
other with growing excitement.
"Yes, atonement with your money.
by the right use of it. Some day, when
he was strong enough. Philip was to
meet you, to know you as his father.
That day has come"
Haggleton said snappishly, jeeringly:
81 see. He is to show me my evil
ways, and l am to be converted. Rub
bish! You have made prig Of him!'
81 have made man of him-such q
man as his mother wanted him to be-"
'What does he do? What can he
earn
HE is a skilled workman with the
Atlantic Wrecking company-a mas
ter diver He earns from IS to $15
q day. lie stands six feet in his stock
ings, he measures forty-eight inches
around the chest, and he has an arm
like an iron bar"
You don't say" Haggleton was
smiling. his eyes cleaning with pride.
Gentle continued:
"And he has a will of his own, and
IDEAS"
ideas? What sort of ideas?" There
was a sudden suspicion in the ques-
ton.
''The ideas his mother gave him
ideas of justice and kindness. She was
noble woman. She did not believe
that one man should make slaves of
thousands and take their earnings
Neither does Philip"
Philip! She kept his name"
'She kept his Christian name with
the name she assumed. She called
him Philip Ames."
"You pumped socialism into him."
fumed the millionaire. He added
scornfulIy, IN soon change that"
What / have taught him is little"
said the diver quietly, and added, with |
confidence, but what life and misery