Evening star., 1909-06-21
| THE FIGHTER \
/ Bv ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE.
IL Copyright, 1909, BY Albert Payson Tehune. N]
Bv ALBERT PAYSON
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for frst-class work They had received
fourth-rate value for their money.
And the mscreant on whom the sole
and total blame rested was Caleb Con-
over. president of the revivifed {. q.
and y. railroad. He. hiding behind the
had robbed the city with one hand and
the county with the other. Now. through
the ceverness of Star reporter. his cul-
pability was at last unearthed.
Further the Star desired editorially.
to avoid needless exploitation of scandal
and the bringing to light of misdemeanors
for which there now appeared to be no
legal penalty. But 1T owed duty to its
constituents. the thinking class of Gran
ite. Perhaps Mr.. Conover, having since
such fraudulent foundations fortune
which was estimated versing upon
the two million mark. would see his way
toward making restitution.
To which quip Of Gaines the Fighter
retaliated by depressing Steeloid stock.
This bit of practical repartee led to
second editorial to the effect that what
was done was done. and that perhaps the
wsest and most dignified course would
be to let the unfortunate matter rest
where it was. The lesser newspapers of
the town. having bayed with incredible
loudness 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 rehashing
of the story through their columns. Ex-
Gov Parkham. finding himself and his
crusade unceremoniously sidetracked by
this more interesting turn affairs had
taken. suked in his tent Caleb. after
that first momentous interview would
see no reporter. a new sensation was
thoushtfully 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 absentmndedness, $4,000
of the banks funds.
Caleb and his inspired confession for
all these excellent reasons. we're not even
d nine-day wonder. Within a week the
volcano had subsided. The incident. ap-
parent1y, was closed. Whether or not the
grand jury would take steps toward Grim
inal prosecution remained to be seen.
At the end of the week Caleb, in an
swer to peremptory summons called on
Desree.
"Where have YOU beenc she cate
chised with the air of an Angora kitten
enacting the role of Rhadamanthus.
i've been busy he evaded. workin'
on a new deal we're putin through,
AM
DO you know it is eight whole days
since you have been near me?' she de-
manded.
Nine he corrected humbly. II
been busy. AM
"And you haven't called anywhere
else?''
where else could I:' he asked in
amaze. There's only one place ! expect
ed to call. That's at the Standishes'. An
they've >got mumps, there. Besides, !
kind of thought I'd wait until some of
this noospaper talk quieted down before
I went anywheres. That's-that's why
on, shamefacedly.
II knew it,. she declared. Il knew
that was it. / wondered if YOU could
be so utterly silly. So I waited. And
1t would have served you right if !
hadn't sent for you at all. Why didn't
you come, Caleb? You surely don't sup
pose all that newspaper nonsense made
looking at me as If I'd slapped you and
promise not to be SO bad any more.
Promise.''
Look here" blurted Caleb. at once
know you wouldn't just about hate me
when you heard how I'd acted about
| those measly public buidin's? An your
| fathers comp'ny. too. Why. L"
YOU s,!, don't mean to say you though: h.
! she cried. incredulous. why. Caleb
ut was true.' he protested vehement
| ~. "All of 1T was true. 1t was me an
not your father that
1T was neither of you. if there was
anything wrong about the natter she
decided with calm finality. Il don't know
| business and I don't know politics. But
l do know you and | knew dad. And
| neither of you could have done a low
! or dishonest thing if you 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 falsehoods.
That's all there is about it. I've
city of Granite. and I've read edi-
torials that called you Brute Conover
and I've waded through columns of ar
ticles abusing you. And it all made me
angry enough to cry. But not at you.
you old chum of mine-at the people
make the public believe them. Now
let's talk about me. Are you glad I'm
going away? Please be-"
"Am 1 glad I'm not goin' to see you for
| more'n two months?' corrected Caleb.
Not much I'm not It gives me the blues
ev'ry time l think of it,
, But you are going to see me. I've
thought it all out. and I've got your or
ders ready for YOU
"You don't mean to say you're not 60
| inc" lueried Caleb in disnay. But
you've got to. Dey. Just think how much
you've wanted to, an"
'Oh, I'm going" she replied serenely.
I've promised Mrs. Hawarden. And be-
sides. / 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.
(To be continued tomorrow
APPEALS TO AUTHORITIES.