Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24

Il can't, 1t has been too long-too much.
He Strengthened in disorder and went on
wildly, "Why, he has logged my steps for
months, used all his genius and cunning to
do away with me, tried to rid himself OF me
as he did years ago, and even hired men to
swear my liberty away" His head dropped
into his hands, again he leaned forward, his
elbows on his knees. NO. | cant, Cort.
| can't, It's too much to ask-too much."
CORTLAND stood in the middle of the
- floor, his arms folded. head bent, wait
ing for the storm to pass; his own pam en-
quilted in the greater pain OF the man before
him. He did not try to answer jeff; tor there
was no answer to be made 1t was not mo-
mcnt for words, and he knew he had no right
even to petition. 1t was a matter tor jeff S
heart alone, "a heart SO long emblttered that
even if ii refused this charity Cortland could
not find it in his own heart to condemn.
With a glance at Cortland. Camilla went
over to left and laid her fingers lightly on bis
shoulder. Jeff" she said with gentle firm
ness. YOU must go to your father. But
| as he did not move she went on. you tor
get Jeff he did not know. Perhaps If he
had known he would have tried to make
| atonement-before- Do YOU realize what
| ii means for a man like General Bent to
make such a request at such time! You
can't refuse Jeff You can't"
left moved his head and stared for long
time at the fireplace his fingers clenched on
the chair arms, turning at last to Cortland.
"Do vou-Go you think he'll dlco he asked.
"What do they say"
His heart is bad" said Cort gravely. Il
| don know: a man OF father 5 wears seldom
RECEIVERS from thing like that.
But it was Camilla who interposcd. She
stepped between the two men and took jeff
by the arm. "He can't go back without you,
| Jeff" she said passionately. Don't you see
that, He can't! You've got to go. If he
died tonight, you'd never forgive yourself.
He may have done you wrong; but God
knows he's trying to right it now. You've
got to let him.
Cortland watched them a moment, then
suddenly Strengthened and glanced at his
watch. 81 can't stay here any longer, he
said. "Ive got to go back to him. There is
much to be done, and I'm the only one to do
it. This is my last plea,-not that of dying
father to his son, but of a brother to
brother for the father of both. Come back
with me- Jeff: not for his sake; but for
your own. 1t is your own blood that is call
ing pitifully-you cant retusc,'
Jeff struggled heavily to his feet and
passed his hands across his eyes, and then
with a sudden sharp intake of his breath he
turned to Cortland, his lips trembling. I'll
go he said hoarsely. "If he wants me, III
go, Cort. Something is drawing me-some-
thing inside of me that awoke when you told
me what had happened. I've been fighting
against it, the habit of thirty years was fight
ing against it: but I've got to go. I'd be
cursed if | didn't! You're sure he really
wants me, Cort?"
Chapter XVII General Bent
THE room at the hotel into which Cort-
land showed them part of General
Bent's own suite. Curtis Iannev and a
doctor consulted near the window, and a
nurse from the hospital, in her white linen
uniform and cap. lowered near. Jeff's ques