The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-01-27

Late that afternoon Durham Greer sent
telegram to Richard bruce at Wey'
bourne. This was the message:
CLARA has been found and is in safe
hands. Take train reaching Grand Central
at l o'clock. You will be met
He whistled lightly as he gave this
message to the clerk and the latter look
ed up with a quick smile.
! "You seem to be getting IN tune Tor
| Christmas all right" he said.
Durham laughed.
"You have discovered my secret" he
answered "The same to YOU"
And he went away whistling louder
The heavy upstate express rolled into
the great station. The hurrying passengers
alighted and quickly passed into the noisy
street. One of them moved more slowly
than the others. Presently he halted and
looked around anxiously:
He was dignifed and serious man in,
clined to stoutness, and his mar ana
mustache were white. :.
Then a young man came towards him.
Pardon me-" said the young man. Il
am here to meet Mr.. Richard bruce.
Judge Richard Druce,' said the strang-
err He threw troubled and suspicious
glare at the young man. II received a
| telegram" he began.
"Signed by Durham Greer" interrupt
ed the young man. Il am the sender =.
The strangers face flushed. His lips
trembled. a.,
"Where is my daughtery" he demanded;
81 am here to take you to her." replied
Durham. This way"
The stranger followed. An enclosed au-
tomobile was drawn up at the curb. Dun
ham Greer opened the door for the stout
man. r.,
"Take 20 minutes to reach home, Hol-
linger," he said to the chauffeur. j,
The stranger turned to Durham almost
fiercely. ,o,
rs my daughter well?"
eyes"
",W.hy-why wasn't she here to meet
"She doesn't know that you are COM
ing" 49,,
Didn't she send for me?"
mo"
The man shrank back at Dunham's re-
"Perhaps," he hoarsely murmured, "she
is ashamed to face me?" ,
"No," Durham answered, she mas NO 9
reason to feel ashamed. But she Is prouo
-foolishly proud. Perhaps :, you Know
where she secured this trait. she mas
been poor and for time she was iriemu.
less. but she had no thought OF asking
your help"
cribs is a bitter thing that you tell
me-" said the old man slowly. How can
I ever forgive her for the pain she has
caused me-for the disgrace. she has
brought to our honored name?" .
"Wait," said the young. man. dis
grace is a harsh term. She left her home,
f is true, but that scarcely deserves to be
called disgraceful action"
The stranger Strengthened up. -,
"Do you presume to instruct me! ne
demanded. ,.,.,y
Durham asked.
The harsh voice softened, the proud
n have something to say to you,'" the
Younger man remarked. "T ask you to lis
len quietly. Nv sister has heard what
vour daughter has to tell. My sister, l
think, is the only woman who has spoken
kindly to her since she left home"
"Go on" said the old man.
"My sister told me what your daughter
said. Will you hear IT."
oSb U Vi; Il q nroud Young girl and you
ofte an1 bnrt her feelings by treating her as
v Won would child. In your effort to keep
her safe and uncontaminated you were
foo strict with her. You drove away. the
Young people Of her age. You restricted str TED
her hours Of leisure, you restricted her
reading, you failed to appreciate the fact &c
that she is a woman grown and that she
would naturally regard your well meant
care as unjust and intolerant. She, is
proud and she rebelled You curtailed her
most innocent pleasures and when sne
asked you WhyT you silenced her with