The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-05-01

He spoke of Miss Erna Winsted, whom
Chester loved, and wondered how his
stern exacting father would AXE the
announcement of their engagement.
Miss Erna Winsted, dainty, petite
and lovely. trembled with suspense
and then thrilled with delight when
the graduation exercises began the
next day. She had selected a shad-
owed corner of the great auditorium,
to be alone and shielded from obser-
walton, so she could enjoy the rapture
of seeing her brave lover receive the
first prize.
Near to her was seated a lady we'll
dressed and deeply yelled. She, too,
seemed to be intensely interested in
could not fail to observe evidences of
the deepest emotion.
The stranger breathed TREMENDOUSLY,
once she seemed to sob and weep.
Then some incoherent words, appar-
emily of joy, left her lips.
And then, with a slight moan she
swayed to one side, and, her head sink
ms AAANNNAg AhNO Tx zap " AhC ~
ished Erna, she lay there insensible.
Miss Winsted did not wish to create
any c%ommotion, for just then the pre-
sentation of the oratorical prize vas
being made. She tactfully brushed
aside the veil and pressed a phial of
smelling salts to the nostrils OF the
unconscious lady.
C1pNr1y tho lattar rayiyad Cba stared
wonderingly at her gentle nurse. Just
then Chester Burridge, radiant with
the excitement and triumph of the
occasion, sought out his fair iancee.
He was all smiles as he extended to
the girl he loved the jeweled recogni-
tion of his ability. Then his eyes fell
upon the face of her companion. In a
vast gasp the word left his lips;
Mother"
She lifted two pleading hands to-
wards him. They nestled in his low
ing, welcoming grasp. Erna sat spell
bound at the unusual scene.
Il am weak murmured Mrs. Bur
ridge. Get me to my hotel. am
sorry l disturbed you, young lady"
Your mother?" murmured Erna
softly. Dear madam, become our care
till we see you comfortable"
Hayden Storm saw them as they
went away in an automobile. His lips
puckered queerly. He forgot his dig
nifty sufficiently to utter a low whistle
of wonder and amaZement.
What has tr%anspired?" he reflected.
| saNTnfhpr and son and hnnRnp-tn-
gether! The direction given to the
chauffeur was the hotel. Shall l act
on my own initiative? Yes!"
Half an hour later he was closeted
with Godfrey Burridge in his own
room. He had a story to tell, and he
told it we'll.
1t made the authenticated old
mule vince to learn that to the lost
wife and her auxiliary, Storm, was
due the making of his son.
But, perverse as he was, his heart
recognized the true merits of the devo.
ton of the wife he had misjudged.
"You-you are a good man." he said
humbly. 81 admit my fault. AS to
Mrs. Burridge-"
rs she not worth retaining? p
gently intimated the subtutor.
Then both went to the hotel. Storm
was first to present himself to the
happy trio in the room of Mrs. Bur
ridge.
A fortunate youth, truly, Chester Bur
ridge ~adjudged himself in that sigma.
hour of youths victory. He saw the
estranged reconciled, he knew that
none would dispute him his bride
now.
And Hayden Storm smiled, satisfied
supremely. Then, noble man that he
was, he went back to his lonely toll
his life sweetened by the good he haC
done.