Connecticut western news., 1909-03-25


 The man bowed.
 "Yes, sir"
 Now tell MT. Norton, Miss Langdon and Mir. Randolph to come here"
 The senator turned back to his sec retary.
 "I 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"
 "I 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
 "I am, sir" he said.
 And you told Mir. IIaines that was interested in Altacoola lands?"
 The schemer hesitated, and the sen atcr broke in on him In rage.
 Speak out, man! Tell the truth, If you can"
 "I did" admitted the congressman finally.
 Was there any particular reason for your not telling the truth?" demanded the Mlssissippian in threatening tone
 'I 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.
 q didn't know it," he said.
 "You have several things to learn. senator" declared the congressman.
 "I have things to learn and things to teach" he said. But go on. Why am interestedT'
 You are interested. senator" replied the trickster, making his big play. through your son Randolph. who in- vested S50,000 Of your money in Alta coola, and also through your daugh- ter, Miss Carolina, who, acting on my advice. has put her own money-S25,- 0O0-in Altacoola land also"
 For a moment Langdon was speech less. It was too much at first fer the honest old southerner to comprehend.
 "You mean" he gasped nt last, that you induced boy to put S50,000 In Altacoola land when you knew l had to vote on the bill? And you even let my daughter put her money in the same schemer"
 "Of course I did. It was n splendid chance, and 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 1t herself"
 "Then reckon here's where I lose prospective son-in-law," sneered Langdon. But that's unimportant. Now, Norton, who's behind youT'
 "I must decline to answer that"
 Langdon looked at him sternly.
 "very we'll" he said. You are too small to count. I'll find out for myself. | Now you go to my study and wait there until I send for you. l must be alone with my children"
 When %cr;Cn and Haines had left them, Lnnrlon turned sadly to the two childrci. io had dlsgraced him.
 Gan you underestimate" he said. Do you know what you've done to me?"
 What. father? We've done nothing wrong?" protested Carolina.
 "They told mc it was perfectly leglti' mate," urged :.undolph. They said everybody-peabcdy and Stevens and the rest-were in it, and Peabody Is the boss Of the senate"
 "Yes, my boy" assented the old planter, Ines the leader fin the senate, and that's the shameful part of nll this that man of his high stahding should set you so miserable m exam pie"
 Randolph Langdon was not n vicious lad, not n youth who preferred or chose ] wrongdoing for the increased rewards 1t offered. He was at heart chlval- 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 ol his honor, he had been victim of Norton's wiles because of the congressman's position and pur- suasiveness, because this companion of his yCurg days had won his confidence and had not hesitated to dlstort the lads idea of what was right and what was wrong.
 ! against his fathers reproof when the senator cut him short. 1 Don't Jcu seer said tue senator. ''I can understand there being rascals in the outside world and that they should believe your careless, foolish old father lawful game. but that he should be thought tool for dishonest thieving by members of his own fam fly Is incomprehensible.
 Randolph my son, Carolina, my daughter through all their generations the LaEgdons have been honorable. Your mother was Randolph, and this from you! Oh, Carolina! And, you, Randolph! How could you? How could you betray or seek to betray your father, who sees in you the image of your dear mother, who has gone"
 ITO be continued.l
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