The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-09-09
CHAPTER XXI

Thomas Jefferson Gordon, Bachelor
OF Science, and one Of the six prize
men IN his class, was expected home
on the first day OF July; and IL was re-
marked as coincidence by tho curious
that Deer Trace manor house WAS
closed for the summer no more than a
week before the return Of the Gordon
black sheep
That Tom was a black sheep, hope
less and inoorrigible social iconoclast
was no longer matter OF doubt in the
minds OF any. Something may be for
given promising young man who has
been unhappy enough, or imprudent
enough, TO begin TO make history for
himself in tho irresponsible teens; but
also the act OF oblivion may be repeal
ed. When It became nolsed about that
there were two children instead OF one
in the old dog keepers cabin IN the
glen, Mountain View avenue was Justly
indignant, and even the lenient Cor
domains scowled and shook their heads
at the mention OF the young boss
name
To such an atmosphere Of potential
social ostracism Tom returned after the
final scholastic triumph in Boston; and
for the first few days he escaped as
phyxlation chiefly because the affairs
OF Gordon & Gordon and the Chiawas-
see Consolidated gave him no time TO
test Its quality.
But after the first week he began 10
breathe it Enthusiastically. One evening
he called on the Farnsworths; the Ia
dies were not at home to him The
next night he saddled Saladin and rode
over to Falrmount; the Misses Harrl-
son were also unable to see him, and
the butler conveyed a deftly- worded in
tlmatlon pointing to future invisibilities
on the part Of his mistress. The even
ing being stlll young Tom tried Rock
wood and the Dell, suspicion settling
into conviction when the trim maid
servant at the Stanley villa went near
to shutting the door in his face At the
Dell he Jared a little better. The
Young -Dicksons were going out for an
after-dinner call on one OF the neigh
bors, and Tom met them at the gate rs
he was dismounting There were re-
grets apparently hearty; but in recast-
ing the incident later, Tom remembered
that 1t was the husband who did the
talking, and that Mrs. Young Dickson |
stood in the shadow of the gate tree, |
frigidly silent and with her face avert
ed.
once more, old boy, and then Wen |
quit" he said to Saladin at the re-
mounting and the final rein drawing |
was at the -pillared gates of Rook |
Hill. Again the ladies' were not 1T |
home, but Mr. Vancourt Henniker came |
out and smoked a cigar with his GUS
toner on the piazza. The talk was
pointedly of business, and the banker
was urbanely gracious-and mildly IN
quisitive. Would there be a consolida-
tion Of the allied iron industries of Cor
donia when the Farleys should return?
Mr. Henniker thought it would be un-
deniahly profitable to all concerned
and offered his services as fnanclering
promoter and Intermediary. Would Mr.
Gordon come and talk 1t over with him
at the bank?
Tom found his father on the pictur-
esque veranda at Woodawn when he
reached home For a time there was
such silence as stands for communion
between men Of one blood and was The
father who first broke It,
Been out calm, SOM" he asked,
marking the Tuxedo and the white ex-
panse OF shirt front.
NO, l reckon not" was the reply,
punctuated by a short laugh THE ave-
nue. seems to be depopulated."
80? 1 hadn't heard of anybody 60
in away" said Caleb the literal
"Nor l." said Tom, curtly; and the
paused until the iron
master said:
"Ardee thinks a heap o. you, and II
you could Jest We made out to keep
from gettin' so tangled with that gal o.
like" he stopped abruptly, but not
quite soon enough, and the word was
as the flick of a whip on a wound al
ready made raw by the abrasion of the
closed doors.
so that miserable story has got
around to you at last, has it?" said
Tom, in fine scorn. II did hope they'd !
spare you and mother"
She's spared yet, so far as I know"
said the father, with a backward nod
to indicate the antecedent Of the pro- I
noun Following which, he said what
ay uppermost in his mind. Il been al [
OWN maybe you'd come back this time e
with your head sot on lettin' that gal '
alone, son."
you've believed all you've heard.
,ould say a word in my own defense? 4
That's what they've all done" l.
II don't say that, SON." Then, with a e
tote of fatherly yearning in his voice; d
I'm waitin' to hear that word right
low, Buddy-or as much of it as re v
an say honestly"
you'll never hear 1t from me-never a
n this world or another. Now tell me r
Who told you!" T.
why, it's in mighty near ever'body's
mouth, son" said Caleb, in mild sur y
rise You certainly didn't take any d
,ains to cover 1t up" Y
Didn't take any pains? Why should
?" Tom burst out. After which he
ramped heavily to the farther end of n
he veranda, glooming over at the Il
arkened windows Of Deer Trace and b
sitting bitter anger and disappointment IL
,ork their will on him. And when he
nally turned and tramped back 1t was n
My to say an abrupt Good might" G
nd to pass into the house and up TO
i'm room. c.
He thought he was alone in the ol
loon- lighted dusk Of the upper cham ct
er when he closed the door and began Oh
, pace a rageful sentry beat back and
,rth between the windows. But eli In
Unknown to him one OF the three fell sc
sters, she of the implacable front ana fe
eep-set, burning eyes, had entered
18th him to pace evenly as he paced, q
nd to lay q maddening finger 'on his in
)ul. h
Without vowing vow and confirm o
ig 1t with an oath, he had partly turn Iii
a new life-leaf on the night of heav-
lly comfort when Ardea had sent him De