Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-07
front Of the man with the child bought


ed to his neighbor across the aisle. "a
big loss to this state."
Not so big as if we didn't have Me-
Adoo," returned the other.
That's true They're turning their
guns on him already too. Revived
/ that old nomination story. For my
part don't believe it,
81 do believe it. but l don't care. Id
have done the same under the circum-
stances. A lot of people will care.
though. Funny about us Americans
the occasional slip up of a good man
cuts a bigger figure with us than the
continual crimes of really dishonest
one. He'll be governor. though"
The train started, and the man with
the child lost the answer. He shrank
back in his chair. How can go back !:
How can they let meg O God. keep
my courage aliver'
When the train stopped he alighted
quaking inwardly. He took a cab.
fearing the curious eyes Of the street
car passengers. He need not have
feared. The people of that city had
long since cast him out of their mem
cries.
| They turned into a familiar, quie'
street. The prodigal's limbs were
shaking so that he could hardly hold
the child. His heart beat painfully
| Wild thoughts of leaving the baby on
the doorstep and fleeing rushed
through his brain. The cab stopped
| The passenger. shivering. got out
He walked slowly up the gravel
path leading to the porch He could
see into the brightly lighted library
He knew every little detail of that
room. He remembered that once III
that room he had sworn to be true
whatever might come.
| To the long French window came
woman. her figure silhouetted against
the bright light of the lamps. He
recognized Kathleen. She was looking
out at him.
She opened the door. gazing gravely
at the bearded, sallow faced man who
stared at her strangely.
''Do you wish to see Mr.. McAdoo?
He's out Of the city just now"
"Kathleenp' he cried in a strange
croaking voice Don't you know
me?"
"Paulv' Doubt. amazement. joy.
! voiced themselves in the word and
welcome shone in her eyes as har
Dor light to the storm driven seafarer
81 bring you responsibility. Kath-
leen'' He held out the child.
1--WE welcome responsibilities here.
she answered happily. She held out
her arms for the baby.
"Wait She is my sisters child. Her
fathers name don't know. She has
no right to be in the world. She is
cursed from her birth. Will you take
ner?"
"All the more for that reasonv'
| She took the child from him. cud
ding it close to her heart.
aCome in. Paul. Don't stand there.
Don't you know you have come
homer"
He followed her into the library.
The warm, coy room seemed to en-
fold him, to welcome him. He sank
into a chair, burying his face in his
hands.
kathleen, can't help it. l don't
want to leaye-to run away out into
the loneliness again. Do you think he
will let me stay?''
"Have you any doubt?" She faced
him proudly. Then you don't know
our Bobv'
1T wasn't easy, Kathleen-I was
SO ashamed--but it was very lonely"
But all that is ended, Paul"
Sometimes life throws the prodigal
line. In Paul's case the line was his
sister, another astray under the curse
of inherited temperament. whom he
had found dying and hugging to her
heart child of passion.
'sShe died. But l made those last
weeks easier for her. think. That
should count for something-do you
think so, Kathleen? 2"
THAT should count for a great deal.
Paul.
IF only l could be of some use to
him! I'd like to be-" The humility sat
strangely on Paul.
"Ah. | see you don't understand. He
needs all the help all of us can give
| For William Murchell is dying. and
Bob must take his place"
| HE has risen high am glad"
/ And she saw that he was sincere. He
sat up suddenly. with a despairing cry:
Kathleen. it's not possible! can't
stay. can't help him. can only
hurt him. Don't you see. I'll be a re-
minder to him and to every one of
what must be forgotten-that thing
| his shame?"
But you don't understand she
cried. What others think doesn't
count. He has never denied it. part
| ly, think, because he wouldn't shame
you before the people. As for him. il
wasn't his shame. He wasn't guilty .
-WaSn't-pIIijtvtr