Arizona republican., 1912-04-13

ol tut CO1lhefSdlIOU III tHe Wlne-SnOp of La Roque. the Kanuck. or over Jim Vests hospitable bar And the remark was accompanied with mali cious winks and back-p0inting of their stabbed thumbs. broken and dishgured in the cruel work of the mines, But this was long before Lit tie Boy saw the light of this world. for which Ezra Benton gave many thanks-but that was afterwards
 He. the banker of Pont du Lac. the collar of his shaggy frieze coat pulled up around his ears. the brim of his wide felt hat down over his eyes, stumbled along the steep and rain broken road that led to inc. foot O the hill. He was a brute, this Ezra Ben ton. He was not so tall, but broad and of a thick heayiness that in his youth had earned him the title of the Bull" The determination which had made him the richest and most re- spected man in that North Country township showed plainly in his square, hard face.
 IL was a black night and close on towards midnight He stumbled as he walked and 3wore as he stumbled. But his thoughts were not on his plodding. Nor did they precedc him to his dcsti- nation. He thought of his wife.
 She knows what takes me out, O nights. he said. staring with fixed. unhappy eyes into the shadow-lit dark ness ahead of him. Well, to-night'll end it with Rose. But the kid-oh. my God, must have the kid," The last words were shouted. The ring Of them frightened him. He stopped 10 listen, but there was no answering break of the heavy night silence and he went on.
 Ezra Benton's wife was twelve years older than he. Her small fortune had given him his start in business and he acknowledged to himself with the contempt that came later that il was her money alone that had prompted his courting of her He had paid for it! He caught his breath in a deep. strangling sob and stretched his arms wide so that the powerful muscles rose and fell. Yes, he had paidi
 A faint light now appeared before him. Ii guided him 10 a dilapidated little house which marked the foot O the hill where the road branches to Mersey and to Grani;eville.
 Ezra lifted the knocker and let it fall with a crash that tore through the silence. Rose opened the door al most immediately. Her black hair hung loose around her shoulders and the comb she had been using was still in her hand.
 "I'd given you up for the night" she said sullenly. but that's nothing. You're getting sick of this place, il seems"
 The man did not answer. He was beginning to realize how hard il would be 10 tell her II would have 10 be done carefully. Hers was a temper that matched his own. So he allowed her to remove his hat and overcoat while he stood before the fire. his hands over the blaze.
 Rose, do you think gave her quick. uneasy glance-"do-do you think it is too late 10 see Little Boy tonight"
 The woman, who was lifting some bread and coffee from the cupboard shelf. swung around. Sne threw her hand to her throat and faced him with smoldering. narrowed eyes. So that's what brought you, is it?" she cried. Its him you come to see-not me. If it wasn't for him I don't think you'd ever come any more al ali" She looked at him wildly: the thought was terrible 10 her. and yet, by sudden intuition. it came to her with truth.
 Would you?" she demanded harsh ly. chokingly. and her fingers tore at the button at her throat as if for more space in which to breath.
 He did not reply.
 Would you?" she repeated. advanc- ing close 10 him so that he could feel her hot breath on his face. For a her gaze was directly into his eyes as if her own in their very power would draw the truth from him.
 He was forced 10 turn away. He "No," he said.
 The woman then went old and broken. The splendid vitality which marked her face and figure dropped from her like a discarded garment. She slunk away from him, and creep ing across the floor sank into low chair and sat regarding him, dull eyed, passionless.
 For long time there was silence while the wind shrieked around the house. laying tapping fingers on the door and the windows. Finally. the man. stung by the woman's misery, ! began to plead nervously:
 Rose. don't take it that way. You iont know how it's hurting me-thfs | deception and hypocrisy. It's bound | 10 be found out sooner or later and l what then?-I, almost think if l was | free to marry you I would. want | 10 look people in the eyes without the | fear of seeing that they know-he | ,huddered; his tone gained in strength | Men look up to me and respect me. I've fought my way. 10 the top and I'm going to stay there. My position | Is more to ne than anything in this 1 world"
 The woman stirred as if awakening | from stupor: her glance was yelled and cunning as she asked: And the of him?'
 I'm going to send him away-he'1l never know. I'll have him educated and made into a gentleman. Every thing have will go to him some day. He-hes all the child I've got, God nelp mel" His voice broke at that md his strong face worked with emo- ion.
 Put fba vouan 1au1hsd "Him |