The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-04
(Continuedl


The city papers will be out in the
morning publishing evidence of other
crooked political work-evidence which
[ have been gathering here and there
Ru over the state and which was
stolen when my safe was blown up
last week. did not intend to publish
It IL could help it I was holding it
over my own people as a club to make
them decent and to keep them decent
But I have reason to believe that 1t
has been edited so that it will accuse
only you and the machine, and by to-
morrow morning the entire state will
know I don't have to tell you what
the effect of this added exposure OF
wholesale corruption in the capital is
going to be-"
The senator had laid the pipe aside
and was staring soberly at the fire.
You're a man among a thousand,
SON" he said quietly when it
comes to a pure question of right and
wrong you don't hesitate a minute, do
yous You haven't said it IN so many
words so I'll say it for you. You've
got me right where you can send me
to the penitentiary? That's about what
you're trying TO tell me. isn't it?"
''Non't put it that way, father" pro-
tested the son 81 gave you fair
warning. I've got to fight for the
right as I see it If 1 don't shall be
less than a man-less than your son.
Can't you see that it is breaking my
hearth
A silence electrically surcharged
with possibilities settled down over
the quset room for a little while. At
the end of the pause the senator rose
and put his hand on his sons shoulder.
Il haven't a word to say" he said
slowly. 'As you told me that first
day out here, son, it's your job to hew
to the line and let the chips fall where
they may Go ahead and do what
seems right and law abiding to you.
I'D rather go to jail twice over than
have you do anything else. Is that
what you wanted me to say?''
Blount dropped into a chair as If the
hand on his shoulder had crushed him
and covered his face with his hands.
1t was hard-harder than even his own
pre6Gurings had forecast it.
1t was long minute before he stag
gered TO his feet and CROPPED his way
TO the door, leaving his father stand
ing before the fire, still with the hand
outstretched which had been laid in
fatherly affection upon his shoulder.
When old Barnabas had helped him
into his coat and had given him his
hat he sought Patricia
Must you go back?' she queried
when he had descended the steps to
climb stifny into the seat beside her.
He nodded
your duty is clear?''
He nodded again
And the consequences ~ she asked
L don't know" he muttered. Ruin
and disgrace for all of US, I suppose.
or course I shall resign from the rail-
road service and stand with my father
when-when the thing is done.''
Don't do it, Evan: don't do it!
have no more than a woman's reason
TO give you, but I am sure you are
opening the door to a lifelong sorrow
for yourself and-and-for me-
1t was the last two words that
steeled him TO his purpose. Not even
for her dear sake would he turn aside
from the plain path of the oath bound
Bbiigatfon- IT struck him like a blow
that the turning aside would make him
forever unworthy of her love.
Take me back to the city as quick
" as you can. Patricia" he said, cor,
better still. stay here and let me have
the car That is my last word
For answer she threw the speed
lever into the high gear and snapped
home the clutch. Like a projectile
hurled from a catapult the little tour
ing car shot away down the cotton
wood avenue, and the second race
against time was begun.