The Spectator., 1915-01-19

the air of the buoyant Jim of old His old friends asked him many questions about his illness. The subject dis tressed him so much that they didn't press him. After a time the town, ac- cepting the fact that Jim had been very i'll, and that the illness had made him much older, ceased to talk about him. Something else developed to en- gage the attention of the people and things moved on in their old grooves.
 Jim applied himself to business even more earnestly than beiore. Kenyon was more kindly than ever in his at- titude toward him. They didn't dine once a week as folmeriy, but once a day. Kenyon wandered into he store and chatted with the .'oung man. Jim was much embarrassed at first by these visits, but gradua1v 'te became accustomed to them. Once he sug- gested rather timidly that Mr. Kenyon should have the books examined
 No, Jim; that's all right" said the big man.
 If ever man worked to show his ap-
  Jim did. The only way he could make good his dedication was by making the business pay more And the busi- ness did. The profits increased stead fly. With each increase Kenyon in- creased Jims pay despite Jims pro- test. He did more. When an electric light and power company was organ izad loo hut put some stock in Jims name and made Jim a director. He made him an officer of new land company and one day astonished Jim by telling him he was going to make him a director of the bank.
 Kenyon Explained It All.
 There came another change in the administration at Washington. A new party came into power. Parker se- nior lost his job. He didn't live long after that. Kenyon showed more re- spect to Parker dead than to Parker alive. He went to the funeral AS they were leaving the cemetery he asked Jim to dine with him that night, as Jim's own home would be sad and cheerless. After the meal Kenyon and Jim sat and smoked in silence for long time. Kenyon was the first to speak.
 "Jim," he said, your fathers death is great sorrow to you no doubt, put it is better so."
 There was something about Ken yon's manner that told more than his words. Jim started to speak out Ken yon checked him.
 T know the whole story" he said. T kno\ how he speculated with the postoffice funds, and how to save him from jail and disgrace you juggled things in the store. You should have come to me. but suppose you realized that l never sympathized with your father, l wish could have saved Jou from all the bitterness you underwent. l searched high and low for you while you were away l may be rather hard, but l never could forgive your father for letting you bear the burden.
 No, don't interrupt me- have held this thing in long enough What I
 
 you took that money you took your own and not mine. What l have is yours. l haven't chick or child Ev- erything l have accumulated is for you, but I didn't want to let you know this while your father lived You had hard lesson. Maybe 1t will all be for the best"
 Jim, wet-eyed and confused, tried to express half dozen ideas in the same sentence. He couldn't understand what he had ever done to warrant such regard as Kenyon had shown him all his life. The big man stopped him.
 There's a reason for everything, my boy he said, as he put his arm around Jim's shoulder. Maybe 1t is just as we'll that you should know this one. Youy father married the woraan i. l loved"