Putnam patriot., 1914-04-10

served sentence in prison For the rest. he could understand in some de- gree how the venom of the wrong in. flicted on her had poisoned her nature through the years. till she had worked out its evil through the scheme of which he was the innocent victim He cared little for the fact that recently she had devoted herself to devious de vices for making money, to ingenious schemes for legal plunder.
 So, fin the face of this catastrophe, where less love must have been de- stroyed utterly, Dick remained loyal His passionate regard did not falter for a moment. It never even occurred to him that he might cast her off. might yield to his fathers prayers. and abandon her
 Thefather suffered with the son. He was a proud man. intensely gratified over the commanding position to which he had achieved in the commercial world. proud of his business integrity. of bis standing in the community as a leader. proud of his social position, PiOuu blOcl Ot VI lllt SQb W nun 1C so loved, Now. this hideous disaster threatened his pride at every turn worse, 1t threatened the one person in the world whom he really loved.
 He realized that his son loved the woman-nor could he wonder much at Mary Turner's graces of form. her loyeiness of face. He had appre- hended. too, in some measure at least the fineness of her mental fiber and the capacities of her heart Deep with in him. denied any outlet, he knew here iurked curious, subtle sympathy for the girl in her scheme of revenge against himself
 Glider. in his library this night, was pacing impatiently to and fro. eagerly listening for the sound of his sons re- turn to the house. He was anxious for the coming of Dick. to whom he would make one more appeal. If that should fail-well. he must use the in- auences at his command to secure the forcible parting of the adventures from his son.
 Finally the son entered the room and went at once to his father, who was standing waiting. facing the door
 I'm awfully sorry I'm so late, dad, he said simply.
 "Where have you been?" the father demanded gravely. But there was great affection in the flash of his gray eyes as he scanned the young mans face. and the touch of the hand that he put on Dicks shoulder was very tender. With that woman againy
 No. father. not with her. She won't see me-"
 Naturally! She's got all she want ed from you-my name?
 "Its mine. too. you know. sir"
 Glider looked at bis son with btrange. new respect
 Dick" he cried-"boy. you are all l have in the world. You will have to free yourself from this woman some how You owe me that much"
 "I owe something to her, too. dad"
 What can you owe her? She trick ed you into the marriage Why, legal ly it's not even that. There's been nothing more than a wedding cere- mony. We must get you out of the scrape"
 I'm not sure that I want to get out of it. father"
 You want to stay married to this jail birdr'
 I'm very fond of her"
 Now that you know?'
 Now that I know" Dick said dis tinctly. Don't you see, father? Why. she is justified in way-in her own mind anyhow, I mean. She was inno- cent when she was sent to prison"
 Don't talk to me about her inno- eence There's only one course open to you. my boy. You must give this girl up. If you don't what are you going to do the day your wife is thrown into a patrol wagon and car ried to police headquarters. for it's sure to happen? The cleverest of peo- ple make mistakes. and some day she'll make one"
 Dick threw out his hands in a ges- ture of supreme denial But the fla ther went on remorselessly.
 ..They will stand her up where the detectives will walk past her with masks on their faces. Her picture. of course, is already in the rogues gal lery. but they will take another-yes. and the imprints of her fingers and the oaacuraments of her body"
 The son was writhing under the words. The woman of whom these things were said was the woman whom he loved Yet every word had in it the piercing. horrible sung or truth.
 ..That's what they will do to your wife" Glider went on harshiy, 10 the woman who bears your name and mine. What are you going to do about it?"
 .rt will never happen. She will ge straight. dad. That l know iou would know it if you only knew her as 1 do."
 Glider was in despair. What argu ment could avail him? He cried our sharply in desperation
 DO you realize what you're doings Don't go to smash. Dick, just at the beginning of your life. Oh, beg you boy. stop. Put this girl out Of your thoughts and start fresh. You're all