Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-04-29

II expect I'm going to be pretty busy
the rest of the evening, Bud, so in
case l forget to mention it again re-
member to show up at your old desk
in the morning"
II will. Thank you, sir"
"You sent for us, SENATOR" said Nor
ton, approaching with his two duDes.
"You are interested in Altacoola
lands" the senator angri.y charged.
81 am, sir" he said.
"And YOU told Mr.. IIainas that 1 was
Interested in A-ltacoola lands:"
The schemer hesitated, and the SEN
ator broke in on him in rage.
Speak out, man! Tell the truth. if
you cam
Il did," admitted the congressman
finally.
"Was there any particular reason for
your not telling the truth:' demanded
the Mississippian in threatening tone.
Il told the TRUTH replied Norton.
"You arc interested in them"
For an instant Langdon seemed
about to step toward him, then he con
trolled himself.
81 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 I Interested"
"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
cocla, and also through your daugh-
ter, Miss Carolina, who, acting on my
advice, has put her own m~oncy-soo.-
000-in Altacoola land also"
For Il moment Langdon was speech
less. 1t was too much at first for the
honest old southerncr to comprehend.
"You mean," he gasped at last, that
you induced a boy to put 100000 in
-Altacoola land when you knew I had
to vote on the bill? And you wen
let my daughter put her money in the
same Schemc?"
"Of course l did. 1t was a splendid
chance. and l let your sol 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 l reckon here's where / 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 l send for you. 1 must be
alone with my children"
When Norton and IIaines had left
them, Langdon turned sadly to the two
children who had disgraced him.
Can you understands" 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. "They said
everybody-Peabody and Stevens and
the rest-were in it, and Peabody is the
boss of the senate"
Eyes, my boy" assented the old
planter, "he'S the leader in the senate,
and that's the shameful part of all this
that Il man of his high standing
should set YOU so miserable an exam
pie"
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 Il chiyal
rous straightforward, trustful south.
ern boy Who believed in the splendid
traditions OF his family and loved his
father as a son should Il parent having
the qualities of the old hero of CraW'
louisville. Jealous of his honor, he haG
been a victim of Norton'S wileS because
of the congressman's position and pur
s~uasiveness, because this companion o.
his young days had won his confidence
and had not hesitated to distort the
lads idea of what was right and whar
was wrong.
Randolph began an indignant protest
dSdluSC Ills ulLSI . ASpAOOA "hNh SA>
senator cut him short.
"Don't you see?" said the senator
~ can understand there being rascal:
in the outside world and that the.
should believe your careless, foolis]
old father lawful game, but that HI
should be thought a tool for dishones
thieving by members Of his own fam
lily is incomprehensible.
randolph, my son, Carolina, N,
daughter, through all their generation
: the Langdons have been honorable
/. Your mother was a Randolph, and thi
from you! Oh, Carolina! And, yor
Randolph! How could you? HOY
; could you betray or seek to betray you
5 father, who sees in you the image Q
! your dear mother, who has gomez?
CHAPTER Xxx.
t THE CALL TO ARMS.