Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-10-12

er Of burdens not his own walked
quickly across the hall and let himself
into the room of trial.
"Nell, son. you made out to get
here. didn't you" said the father
quietly, pushing u book aside. Draw
up a chair. Where is the little girl?"
Blount saw instantly that he must
be brief and pitilcss.
Miss Anners is at the carriage IN
trance in the car, waiting to take me
back to town." he said, constraining
himself to speak calmly. II have an
appointment with Judge Hemingway
which must be kept, and he leaves his
chambers at 4 o'clock. Do you know
why I have made that appointments"
The senator shook his head slowly.
How should / know, SOM"
Its not a pleasant thing to have to
tell YOU" the younger man went on.
ignoring the chair to which the long
stemmed pipe "a pointing. But Pa
tricia says 1 must, A little W. an
hour ago evidence-legal e~vidence-of
corruption and false registration in
four of the city wards was put into
my hands. You know what I've got
to do with it, father"
The older man nodded. Yes.
know what you think you've got to do.
with it. But I wouldn't do it if I were
you, son. Haven't you learned that
n of the first rules in the book Of
| politics is not TO hang the dirty clothes
out where everybody can see them"
Evans heart sank within him. 1t
was evident that his father was still
unsuspecting, still unconscious of the
impending blow. Only utter %frankness
could avail now.
IL can't discuss expediency with
you," he said hastily. This evidence
l speak Of involves you personally.
There is trouble ahead, serious trou-
bic. and you don't seem to realize it,
The city papers will be out in the
morning publishing evidence Of other
crooked political work-evidence which
l have been gathering here and there
all over the state and which was
stolen when my safe vas blown up
last week. 1 did not intend to publish
it if l could help it. l was holding it
over my w people as a club to make
them decent and to keep them decent.
has been edited so that it will accuse
only you and the machine, and by to-
morrow morning the entire state will
know. 1 don't have to tell you what
the effect of this added exposure Of
wholesale corruption in the capital is
going to be-"
The senator had laid the pipe aside
and vas staring soberly at the fire.
you're Il nan among a thousand,
son." he said quietly. "When it
comes to a pure question Of right and
wrong you don't hesitate a minute, do
you? You haven't said it in so many
words, SO I'll say it for you. You've
got ME right where you can send me
to the ~penitentiary? That's about what
you're trying to tell me, isn't it,"
Don't put it that way, father" pro-
tested the son. II gave you fair
warning. Ive got to fight for the
right as see it. If 1 don't I shall be
4CNS tuun Il A1du-ACno SAuh JOuA oOA
Can't you see that it is breaking my
hearth
4 silence electrically surcharged
with possibilities settled down over
the quiet room for a little while. At
the end of the pause the senator ROSE
and put his hand on his sons shoulder.
II haven't a word to say" he said
slowly. las you told me that first
day out here, son, it's your job to hew
to the line and let the chips fall where
they may. Go ahead and do what
seems right and law abiding to you.
I'd rather go to Jail twice yer than
have you do anything else. Is that
what you wanted me to say?"
Blount dropped into a chair as if the
hand on his shoulder had crushed him
and covered his face with his hands.
1t was hard-harder than even his own
prefgurings had forecast it.
1t was a long minute before he stag
gered to his feet and CROPPED his way
to the door, leaving his father stand
ing before the fire, still with the hand
outstretched which had been laid in
fatherly affection upon his shoulder
When old Barnabas had helped him
into his coat and had given him his
hat he sought Patricia.
"Must you go back?" she queried
when he had descended the steps to
climb stifay into the seat beside her.
He nodded.
"Your duty is clear"
He nodded again.
"And the consequences she asked.
II don't know he muttered. sRuin
and disgrace for all of us, / suppose.
OF course l shall resign from the rail
road service and stand with my father
when-when the thing is done"
Don't do it, Evan; don't do it! I
have no more than a woman's reason
to give you, but I am sure you are
opening the door to a lifelong sorrow
for yourself and-and-for me-"
1t was the last two words that
steeled him to his purpose. Not even
for her dear sake would he turn aside
from the plain path Of the oath bound
obligation. 1t struck him like a blow