Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

desk" + -
for you, then bring it to Senator Pea
body. Understand? No matter how
urgent it's marked"
The man bowed.
Eyes, sir"
snow tell Mr. Norton, Miss Langdon
and Mr.. Randolph to come here"
The senator turned back to his Sec
retary
81 expect I'm going to be pretty busy
the rest of the evening, Bud, SO in
case I forget to mention it again re-
member to show up at your old desk
in the morning"
81 will. Thank you, sir"
"You sent for US, senator" said Nor
ton. approaching with his two dupes.
'You are interested in Altacoola
lands" the senator angrily charged.
81 am, sir" he said.
"And you told Mr. Haines that was
interested In Alts<eoola lands?"
The schemer hesitated, and the SEN
ator broke in on him in rage.
"Speak out, man! Tell the truth, if
you can"
81 did" admitted the congressman
finally.
''Was there any particular reason for
your not telling the truth?" demanded
the Mississippian in threatening tone.
81 told the truth" replied Norton.
"You are interested in them"
For an instant Langdon seemed
about to step toward him, then he con-
trolled himself
II didn't know It," he said
.'You have several things to learn,
senator" declared the congressman.
81 have things to learn and things
to teach," he said. "But go on. Why
am | interestedY p
'You are interested, senator" replied
the trickster, making his big play,
through your son Randolph, who in
vested $4,000 of your money in Alta
eoola, and also through your daugh-
ter Miss Carolina, who, acting on my
advice. has put her own money $685.
0O0-in Altacoola land also"
For moment Langdon was speech
less. 1t was too much at first for the
honest old southerner to comprehend.
"You mean," he gasped at last, 'that
you induced boy to put $4,000 in
Altacoola land when you knew I had
to vote on the bill? And you even
let my daughter put her money in the
same scheme?'
"Of course l did. 1t was a splendid
chance. and I let your son in for
friendship and your daughter because
she has done me the honor to promise
to become my wife"
What! You have my daughters
promise to marry you, YOU
"She admits it herself"
'Then I reckon here's where l lose
a prospective son-in-law," sneered
Langdon "But that's unimportant.
Now, Norton. who's behind you"
81 must decline to answer that"
Langdon looked at him sternly.
Every WELL" he said. "You are too
small to count. I'll find out for myself
Now you go to my study and wait
there until | send for you. l must be
alone with my children"
When Norton and Haines had left
them. Langdon turned sadly to the two
children who had disgraced him.
'tCan you understand he said. do
you know what you've done to me?'
what, father? We've done nothing
wrong?" protested Carolina
"They told me it was perfectly legiti-
mate urged Randolph. 'eThey said
everybody Peabody and Stevens and
the rest-were In it, and Peabody is the
boss of the senate"
"Yes, my boy,' assented the old
planter. "he's the leader in the senate,
and that's the shameful part of all this
that man of his high standing
should set you so miserable an exam
ple."
Randolph Langdon was not a vicious
lad, not a youth who preferred or chose
Wrongdoing for the increased rewards
it offered He was at heart chival-
rous, straightforward, trustful south
ern boy who believed in the splendid
traditions of his family and loved his
father as son should parent having
the qualities of the old hero of Craw-
fordsville. Jealous of his honor, he had
been a victim of Norton's wiles because
Of the congressman's position and pur-
suasiveness. because this companion of
his young days had won his confidence
and had not hesitated to distort the
lads idea Of what was right and what
was wrong.
Randolph began an indignant protest
against his fathers reproof when the
senator cut him short.
| 'sDon't you sect" said the senator.
II can understand there being rascals