The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-03-23

the story!" asserted Burns.
| And perhaps spoil our happiness!"
said Nan. Which is more impor-
tant?"
AS she spoke, Don turned to take a
telegram which the Office boy brought
in.
He read it at a glance.
With one cry of surprise and hor-
ror, he flung open the door and darted
from the room.
Griggs snatched up the crumpled
paper and read aloud:
your father has killed himself.
Come.
Nan overlook Don just as he hailed
taxi at the curbing.
"Don," she painted, may | go with
your"
For answer he held open the door
OF the cab.
Ten minutes later, they entered the
darkened library, where John Morse
lay dead by his own hand
The medical examiner, the officers.
and the frightened servants drew
back respectfully as Don and Nan
stepped in.
Don bore up bravely, but the look of
self-hate upon his fathers pallid face
stabbed him to the heart. AS he
bent over the PROSTATE form he shook
with sobbing.
Nan wiped her eyes and glanced
about the room.
On Don's desk by the window she
noticed a picture of herself. Near it
was sheet of familiar looking note
paper, and an envelope. She went
over to the desk. Yes, it was the let
ter she had written to Don. But what
was this scrawl across the back. She
read it carefully.
This letter, which I found open
upon your desk tells me that the truth
is out. make no denials. I simply
take myself away.
Forgive me, If you can; and, what.
ever happens, let nothing come be-
tween you and the brave girl you
love.
Your repentant father,
JOHN A. MORSE.
What is it, Nan?"
Don stood beside her.
Nan tucked the letter into her
sleeve, and led the way into the wide
hall. There she unfolded the letter
and handed it to Don.
When he read it, he smiled at her
with pathetic tenderness.
Father understood" said he. Then
at sudden thought, But, Nan, where
is your story? Did you keep it?
Have they got it?'
She nervously shook out the folds
of her coat, and searched in her bea.
yer muff.
"Oh, Don! It's gone II don't
know where! l must have dropped
it at the Office! I'll go! I'll stop
the presses! I'll"
She sped down the hall, and out the
door.
/ Burns and Griggs stood staring at
some papers on the floor
They were the papers which con.
tanned Mans story. They had
1uttered down when, forgetful of all
except Don's sorrow, she had hurried
from the room
i $50 Morse is dead!' mumbled Burns
Morse is dead!" echoed Griggs.
AID still they stared at the papers
on the floor.
Somehow, Griggs hated to pick
them up. He knew that they offered
a sensation that would set the town
agog. He knew that their publication
would score one of the biggest beats
the Mirror had ever scored.
But he made no move to rush the
story. For many minutes he had let
it stay there at his feet. He felt
dazed for the first time in his life, he
waited for some one to take the mi
tiative.
A boy ran in and placed a pile OF
copy on the desk. AS he started out
he stopped down and picked up the
scattered papers.
Burns slowly put out his hand and
took them.
"Well?' said Griggs, a look of re
lief spreading over his massive face
| "Well?' echoed Burns.
| We'll have to rush that, if were
going to feature it," said Griggs.
You're not going to feature it,
grunted Burns, the Irish in him com
ing to the fore. Morse has ended his
own game; and when mans dead
it's time to put the muck-raBe aside!'
And just as Nan rushed wildly in
Burns clenched his hands and tore
her story into dozen pieces.
--"Jdc" LoDeH in Home and Countyp