The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-09
HIS CONSCIENCE
BY ARTHUR PEACH.

Copyright. 1916. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)
The convention during the afternoon
had been a busy one. and the men
were glad to gather for comfortable
smoke and chat in one Of the smok-
ing rooms of the hotel. They were
mining engineers and had come from
different parts of the West. Naturally,
while the cigars were going. stories be-
gan to appear Of experiences that
ranged from the tragic to the
ludicrous. Finally, they swung. under
the guidance of the spokesman of the
group, Granger by name, to consider
alton Of what might be called the
meanest act they had ever witnessed.
After various experiences had been
related. man who was known to be
friend of Granger spoke:
Suppose you picture yourself driv-
ing up a winding road in New Eng
land, up among the hills, and coming
to a lane that leads to a house set
some distance back. 1t Is almost twi-
light, and as you approach you see
figure at the entrance Driving near
er, you find the figure is that OF a
girl. And, then. suppose you recog-
nize her as the girl who had been wait
ing there at dusk for ten years for
chap who had never returned.
THAT is what l experienced one
early evening last year. / was going
there to see a man of the name Of
Epson, who owned a small right in
stream that we we're planning to dam.
There heard the whole story.
Il found Upson to be grim sort Of
fellow, in a way, and yet friendly
enough after he thawed out, and that
night, after the rest had retired, he
and l smoked a pipe together. In the
midst of our conversation, happened
to think of the young woman at the
entrance, and asked him about her.
Epson smoked in silence for some
time. Then he said slowly:
""Ten years ago, I had quite little
money, and l was looking around to
invest it, and wrote in to Boston
firm. Well, 1t was not long after /
had written that young fellow came
from the city and explained propo-
sition to me. He seemed to be fine
sort of chap in every way. The boys
took him off for fishing trip, hunted
with him little and all the time he
was talking to me about the PROPOSE
tion.
"'Well, / fell for it. But l wasn't
the only one who fell. That girl
seemed to find In him just the man to
love. They were together a good deal,
and many times alone, and the upshot
of it was-she came to me one night
in this very room, with him following
close behind her, and told me they
were engaged.
"'She was so happy that her happi-
ness went all through the house.
"'They made preparations for the
wedding and the wedding day. He
talked about 1t as much as, IL not more
than, she did.
Zone day he departed, taking my
money and her love.
Everything moved on smoothly UNI
til l could see her beginning to be
troubled. Finally, got the truth. He
had not written. My suspicious were
aroused, and ! wrote to the company.
1.-THE information got was like a
bomb in our quiet home. 1t seems he
had left the employ of the company to
go West, had vanished so far as they
were concerned, and had never report
ed the money l had given him.
"'She recovered from the shock, for
she comes of stern stuff; but the girl
still believes that he will return.
"'She goes down to the road about
the time you saw her, for If he came
back he would arrive about that time.
It used to make my old heart ache
to see her standing there in the dusk,
waiting for scamp and scoundrel;
but, some way, have come to see a
meaning in it. 1t has helped my faith
in humanity after the jar he gave 1t.
She is serene and sensible through
1t all. It's case of a splendid woman
having an undying trust in man, with
out her soul being wasted
THAT. gentlemen, is the story as Up
son told me-" said Changers friend,
"and | have always thought of 1t as q
story OF the meanest man and the
meanest act within my knowledge"
Suddenly tall figure arose, and in
a voice that was strained with emo
ton said:
Gentlemen, that was the meanest
act-it is more than that-but l tell
you that the chap who did it has suf-
fered for those years. He stands right
herein the man. / thought l had
forgotten, but ! can't forget. / give
you my word that | shall take the
next train for New England and, God
giving me the chance. shall reappeat
there. l did not think she could be so
faithful. did love her, and l have
always in my way. hope l may yet
be worthy of her. I'm sorry"
Without another word, the tall, thin
figure passed from the room.
The silence that followed his with
drawal was broken by Granger: You
did a good job in telling that story,
Mason. You gained your end"
What do you mean?" someone
asked
Why, the faas are these" said
Changers friend; q recognized him
just before l came in. l had sort of
looked him up. told Granger to steer
the conversation so that | could tell
the story. thought If the man had
any conscience it might be touched.
Il should like to be about when he