Arizona republican., 1912-04-14


 I'll say. Ezra Benton's child is my child and he took him away from me because lie was afraid it would be found out I'll go to the church and I'll climb up beside the minister and I'll cry. Ezra Benton's child is my child and he's robbed me of him be cause he's afraid you-you. all of you will hear of his sim"
 The mans face grew as wild as her own. The veins on his forehead swelled so that they were like blue steel wires. He shouted something inarricnlate and gasping, and ad vanced upon her with working lips and fingers. But suddenly he saw her stiffen and her finger pointed. She whispered: There - there he is There's Little Boy"
 The mans eyes followed the direc- tion of her fingers. There stood the small, terrified figure of the child. looking al them both with wondering fright. Before the boys gaze, the man covered his face with his hands, and. hatless. flung himself out the door
 The next day Ezra Benton sat at [. The long. sleepless night had laid it's haggard marks upon his eyes and lips, but otherwise he appeared the strong. successful man that Pont du Lac boasted of. clerk came to the door to announce Miss Short and Miss Lan- sing. teachers from the high school.
 Ezra Benton nodded, and the two women came f1uttering i'll. Miss Lan- sing spoke in high. nervous tones:
 We've come to ask you. Mir Ben ton, if you won't make a speech to the graduates al the commencement exercises on the twentieth?"
 The man did not look at them as he sat toying with a paper-weight on his desk What mockery 1t was to be asked 10 give advice 10 other peo- ple's children-to advise young men along the straight path-he. of all men, The hypocrisy of it shamed and stung him and yet he must play the game. But why had they se- lected him? He had no children Of liis own from whom to learn, none oI his own except Little Boy. Suddenly he remembered that as long as Rose lived he could not call even Little DOS HIS Ohu Nnt Amp women and struck the desk with his clenched fist.
 At their frightened exclamation he looked up and said bruskly: 'Tll think it over, ladies"
 They glanced at each other. seeking courage for further persuasion. Fi- nally. Miss Lansing spoke again: If you could tell us-we wish to an nounce it-'
 He nodded: Very we'll"
 So with embarrassed thanks and good-days they edged out.
 After they had gone, the man sat at his desk, his hands folded, gazing straight into vacancy. He was think ing of Little Boy. He remembered how he had taught him to say. Papa Ezra almost as soon as he could talk at all. And he felt the touch of the small, soft hands travelling over his rough face as he held him in his arms, with the boy smiling at him with round open mouth and round open eyes. Presently he bent over and laid his head on his clasped hands. His eyes were hot and dry but his breath came in long. rasping sobs
 
 mained for a long while.
 For two weeks Ezra Benton did not visit the house at the foot O the hill The chief reason was because he was afraid. After the long secrecy of years, whisper at last seemed to steal around the village-a whisper that connected his name with that of Rose Nothing tangible was said; the names were not mentioned; it was like yapor arising from a marsh ct nightfall Men whispered to one an- other of having seen dark figure on the road to Roses house late at night. That was all. But the whispers reached Ezra's ears. And he trem- bled.
 For. strong man that he was. his great pride was his position and the respect which men paid him. For this position had been the result of unrelenting struggle. For it he had sacrificed the pleasures and joys of other men-home, love, chil- iren, friendships! He knew he must be careful So he did not venture near Rose. And meanwhile. the de- sire for Little Boy-his little boy was worrying him as salt worries an open wound.
 The whispering increased. Ezra wondered if his wife had said any wife whom he despised but who held him in her power.
 Across the dinner table one night. he regarded her with heavy, sneering ,yes Have you said anything of my absences at night to start this taik? he asked.
 She, a thin, fiat-breasted woman. laughed at him. Do you think l want to parade my shame?" she said co,dly.
 The day which was 10 end with the exercises arrived. Ezra Benton had prepared his speech with It spoke of honor, of the fear of God and of right living. He imagined himself delivering it with the eyes of his wife upon him always her eyes. Then, he pictured at it's end Rose standing in the door, 1 way with Little Boy in her arms at him. not speaking. but laughing with laughter that would never cease but that would follow him All through his life. q