Putnam patriot., 1914-10-23

don't go. I-there is no one left who knows me He turned away and warmed his hands over the fire on the great stone hearth.
 I'll stay. senator. I'll be glad to stay for ! too. have had difficulties. |" John Craven seemed older and his clothes showed signs of careful press ing to hide their set lines.
 Work progressed and the pile of unfinished business diminished. It seemed almost as if the old senator were trying to make John Craven fond of him. He made effort to keep his temper; he tried to draw the young man out as to his own affairs.
 The cold wintry blasts of February found the senator often sitting in a big chair by the library fire. propped about with cushions by the hands of his secretary.
 T seem to get chilled through late ly, Craven. l must be a cold. icy in- dividual if that glowing fire can't warm me, he said one morning when the mail was attended to.
 Sometimes it's human flames. hu- man warmth, one needs. senator. |" John ventured
 The senator looked at him sharply. "Eh2"
 As we get older we feel the need of warm human friendships, kindred souls with whom to spend our days. do we notfn
 "But-how do you know, John7 You're still young"
 Yes" John Craven nodded, ~young enough, but. senator, I've never been as busy as you have been and I've been brought up fin the midst of big family-father, mother, sisters. I've learned to be sympathetic; I've had time to try to understand my fellow beings and-though I may never make the success of my life that you have made of yours-I believe I'll get more out of 1t At least I hope I'll have some one with whom to spend my last winter days. senator
 It was the longest thought John Craven had ever uttered to his em- ployer, but he felt that the older man was In a receptive mood.
 Maybe your way is right. Craven, but-well. circumstances in my youth followed by the losing of my young wife, embittered me against women against the world in general. I have never taken time for introspection un- til-now. And now"
 A servant knocked on the door. Come in." said John Craven at a sign from the senator
 Giles. the old family man-servant, bore a basket-a clothes basket-care- fully to the fireplace in front of his master. There he set it down and waited
 -where-John-" it was the first time he had ever called his sec retary John-''read that tag"
 John Craven did as he was told and no one noticed how his fingers trembled as he fumbled with the tag tied to the basket.
 "A Valentine for Father" he read and his voice was almost inaudible, so difficult was it for him to control.
 Open it-take off that fiimsy paper cover" commanded the old man. sit ting up and letting his cushions. one by one, fail from their snug places. "Open fti II never had a yalen- tine before in all my life"
 John Craven undid the wrappings and displayed the red chubby, cuddly face of an infant peaceably sleeping. Not a word was said by the three men who looked on.
 There's another tag inside-read it." presently the old man was able that had been threatening to make him break down and cry like wom- an. Read it. John"
 John Aicott Craven" read the sec retary. quietly.
 "Yes-I, I am the man who took your little daughter to my heart and tried to give her the sympathy, the understanding she has always missed But-it was she who insisted on si- lence as to our marriage. She seemed to think it was the only way"
 "And-and this?"
 John nodded tenderly at the wee sleeping baby
 This is virginia's son-your son. John?"
 "Ours-and yours, senator. Virginia will be anxious about him. She said she would not trust him to me long, Shall I-get her?"
 Her and all her belongings. John. to live with me forever and ever" (Copyright. 1914. by tine Mcclure News
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