The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-02

began on the clothes. A chiId's dress
caught on the wrtnger and tore, II
was marked in fine embroidery with
the initials ]. 8. 81. for Jaffrey Slocum
Harrington. as We had thought to call
the little chap. May saw me look a,
the initials.
Sarah sent it to me along with q
lot Of baby things when my Jack came.
Perhaps she might like to have them
back now"
'She and the girls come home next
week. Won't you come and see her?
Shed care more for that than for any
thing"
you were always awfully persistent
In getting your own way, Van"
But didn't always get 1t, re-
member"
1T might have been just az well II
you hadn't had it SO much Of the time
since"
well. maybe -, 4-xt
There are a few other people in the
world besides Van Harrington, and
they have their rights too"
That's true enough If they can get
'em."
Maybe their condolences are a little
stronger to hold them back from get
ting things. You never held of long
when yeu wanted a thing. Van. You
took the peaches, you rememberT
Her lips curled in the way that used
to set me mad for her
II didn't eat peach" protested.
II gave them to your brothers and
Budd Haines."
Yes, you gave them"
II don't believe you think me half
as bad as you make me out" l said,
stopping the wringer and looking into
her eyes.
You don't know how bad make
you out" she challenged my look.
1t was not hard to see why I had
been crazy to marry her in the old
days. There was q fire in her which
no other woman I ever saw possessed.
Jane was large minded, keen AZ an ca
gle and like steel But there was q
kind Of will in this worn woman. a
hanging to herself, which gave her q
character all her own. Nevertheless
We two couldn't have Travelled far
hitched together. She would have
tried her best to run me. and life would
have been hell for US both.
WELL" l protested in my own de-
Tense, there's no man and no woman
living has the right to say he's the
worse OF on my account I have treat
ed the world fairly where it has treat
ed me fairly"
80 that's your boast, Van Harring-
ton? It's pretty hard when q man has
to say q thing like that to defend his
life. You don't know how many men
you have ruined like that poor Hostel
ter. But that isn't the worst The
very sight Of men like you is the worst
evil in our country. You are success
full, prosperous, and you have ridden
over the laws that hindered you. You
have hired your lawyers to find q way
for you to do what you please. You
think You are above the law-just
the common laws for ordinary folks
You buy men as you buy wheat. And
because you don't happen to have rob
bed your next door neighbor or ruined
his daughter you make a boast Of II
to me. It's pretty mean. Van, don't
you think sop
We had sat down facing each other
across the tub Of clothes. As she spoke
her hot words thought Of others who
had accused me In enc way or another
-Farson, VIII, Siocum-most Of all !
Slocum. But l dismissed this senti-
mental reflection.
Those are pretty serious charges
you are making. May" l replied after
time. And what do you know |
What the newspaper say? There a<
thousands Of newspaper men all over
this country who get a dollar or two
a column for that sort of mud. Their
these same fellows come around to- u
and hold out their hands for tins or |
Dribes. You take their lies for proved |
facts. have never taken the trouble,
to answer their charges and neve,
shall. | will answer for what hav.
done"
To whom" May asked ironically
To God? ! should ike to see Va,
God. He must be differ i
ant from the one l have prayed to al
these years"
Maybe he has more charity. May"
Are you ashi0g for charity-m,
charity rs well n God's?' she blaxed.
Well, let that 60. l shall answer to
The people now"
Yes. And God help this country
now that men like you have taken to
buying seats there at Washington
We said nothing for awhile after
his. and then l rose to 20.
We don't get anywhere this way.
Nay came here wanting to be
friends with you and vill-wantinaI
o help my brother. You needn't take
ny money If you think it's tainted
out can't you feel frfendly7 You are
nrowiog NE or a second time when
come to you asking for your love.
She flushed at the meaning under my
words and replied In q lower voice:
Il would do no good. Van YOU are