The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-26
By ALBERT PAYsoN TERHU
Copyright 1909, by Albert Payson Terhune
 

'ssssssss&ssSeoeeeeee eeesesSesOeSoOeeeeob foremost public buildings had been erected. These ediices, hitherto the pride of Granite, were eEcon structed of cheap, inferior material: were il1-put together and were. in short, a. disgrace, byword and a hissing. The city and county had paid for first-class work. They had received fourth-rate value for their money.
 And the miscreant on whom the sole and total blame rested was Caleb Con over, President of the revivif1ed c. G. & x. railroad. He, hiding behind the honorable name of man since dead. had robbed the city with one hand and the county with the other. Now, through the cleverness of a. Star re- porter, his culpability was at last un- earthed.
 Further, the Star desired, editorially, to avoid needless exploitation of scan dal and the bringing to light of mis- demeanors for which there now ap- peared to be no legal penalty. But it owed a duty to its constituents, the thinking class of Granite. Perhaps MT. Conover. having since the regrettabIe transactions. reared upon such fraudu- lent foundations a fortune which was estimated as verging upon the two million mark, would see his way to- ward making restitution.
 To which quip of Gaines the Fight CT retaliated by depressing Steeloid stock This bit of practical repartee led to a second editorial to the effect that what was done was done, and that perhaps the wisest and most dignified course would be to let the un- fortunate matter rest where it was. The lesser newspapers of the town. havin~ bayed with increditable loud ness and ferocity the moment the Star gave voice, now showed inclination to follow the leaders example in letting the scAndal die out.
 There were no further developments in the case to warrant. continuous re-. hashing of the story through their columns. Ex-Governor Parkman. find ing himself and his crusade uncere- moniously side tracked by this more interesting turn affairs had taken. .sulk- ed in his tent. Caleb, after that first momentous interview, would see no re- porter. A new sensation was thought fully provided by the assistant cashier of the Aaron Burr National Bank who wandered one day from his post of duty and neglected to return; taking with him, in equal 1absent-mindedness $1S.O00 of the banks funds.
 Caleb and his inspired confession, for all these excellent reasons, were not even a nine-day wonder. Within week the volcano had subsided. The incident. apparently, was closed. Whether or not the Grand Jury would take steps toward criminal prosecution remained to be seen-
 At the end of the week. Caleb. in called on Desiree.
 Where have you been?" she cate chised with the air of an Angora kit ten enacting the role of Rhadaman- thus.
 I've been busy" he evaded, work in on a new deal we're putin through, an"
 DO you know it is eight whole days since you have been near mel" she demanded.
 "Nine..' he corrected humbIy. TI been busy, an'-'
 And you haven't called anywhere else?"
 "Where else could I?, he asked in pected to call. That's at the Standish- es'. An they've got humps. there. Besides, kind of thought I'd wait un- til someof this newspaper talk quieted that's why didn't come here, eith- er," he went on. shamefacedly.
 ''I knew it!'' she declared. ''I knew that was it. I wondered if you could be so utterly silly. So I waited. And it seems you could. Aren't you ashamed? It would have served you right if hadn't sent for you at all. Why didn't you come. Caleb? You surely don't suppose all that newspaper nonsense made any difference to me. I'd slapped you and promise not to be so bad any more. Pronisev'
 Look here!" blurted Caleb. at once relieved and puzzled, "How was I to when you sheard how I'd acted about those measly public buildin's? An your fathers comp'ny too. Why, T."
 You don't mean to say you thought I believed any of the absurd story?" she cried, incredulous 'Why, Caleb
 "It was true!" he protested vehe- mently. "All of it was true It was me. an not your father that
 'It was neither of you. if there was decided with calm fnality. "I don't know business and I don't know poli- tics. But I do know you and I knew Dad. And neither of you could have had tried all day. If the papers choose to twist your business dealings upside down and try to make people think either of you defrauded anybody why, so much the worse for people who are stupid enough to believe such false hoods. That's all there is about it. I've seen cartoons of you garrotfng the city of Granite, and I've read editorials that called you Brute Conover and I've waded through columns of articles you. And it all made me angry enough to cry. But not at you, you old chum of mine. At the people who wrote such vile things and tried to make the public believe them. Now  I'm going away? Please be-
 Am I glad I'm not goin' to see you for more'n two months?" corrected Caleb. Mot much I'm not. It gives me the blues ev'ry time I think of it."
 But you are going to see me. I've thought it all out. and I've got your orders ready for you"
 You don't mean to say you're not goin'?" queried Caleb in dismay. ''But you've got to. Dey. Just think how much you've wanted to, an'-"
 "Oh. I'm going" she replied serene ly. I've promised Mrs. Hawarden. And, besides. I wouldn't miss it for worlds. But you're coming, too. Isn't that nice?''
 She leaned back to watch his delight in her revelation. But he eyed her without a ray of understanding
 'I mean," she explained, you're go- ing to take a nice, long vacation in August or September and coming up to the Antlers. I talked it over with Jack Hawarden and it's all arranged. There won't be room for you in the cottage, but you can get a tent or a lodge within a stones throw of it; and we'll have the gloriousest time you