The Washburn leader., 1916-08-11
his. CONSCIENCE
+ ~
~ ARTHUR PEACH.
(Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Nsws-
paper Syndicate.)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
lCopyright, 1915. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)
Tho convention during the afternoon
had been . busy one. and the men
were glad to gather for comfortanle
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 De-
gan to appear Of experiences tnst
ranged from the tragic to the
ludicrous. Finally, they swung. under
the guidance of the spokesman OF the
group, Granger by name, to a CONSIDER
alton of what might be called the
meanest act they had ever witnessed.
After various experiences had been
related, q man who was known to %
friend of Granger spoke:
Suppose you picture yourself dr1v'
ing up q winding road in New Eng
land, up among the hills. and coming
to a lane that leads to . house set
some distance back. It is almost tWl'
light, and as you approach you see
figure at the entrance. Driving near
or. you find the figure is that OF
girl. And, then, suppose you recog'
nizo her as the girl who had been walt
ing there at dusk for ten years for .
chap who had never returned.
'"That is what experienced ona
early evening last year. was goins
there to see a man Of the name OF
IJpson. who owned small right IN
stream that we we're planning to dam
There heard the whole story.
81 found Upson to be q grim sort OF
fellow, in a way. and yet friendly
enough after he thawed out. and that
night, after the rest had retired, ne
and smoked pipe together. In the
midst Of our conversation, happened
to think Of the young woman at the
entrance, and asked him about her.
"Upson smoked in silence tor some
time. Then he said alowly:
"'Ten years ego, had quite little
money, and I was looking around tc
invest Il, and wrote in TO 3 Boston
| Arm. Well, it was not long after ]
had written that young fellow came
from the city and explained a propo
sition to me. He seemed to be a fine
sort of chap in every way. The boys
took him of for q fishing trip. hunted
with him q little and all the time he
was talking to me about the PROPOSE
tion. =,
"'Well, fell for 1t. But wasn't
the only one who feH. That CIR
seemed to find in him just the man te
love. They were together 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.
I. "'she was so happy that her happt
ness went all through the house.
"'They made preparations for the
wedding and the wedding day. He
talked about it as much as, II not more
than, she did. '""
Z "tOne day he departed, taking my
money and her love.
Everything moved on smoothly un
til I could see her beginning to be
troubled. Finally, got the truth. He
had not written. My suspicious were
aroused, and wrote to the company.
"'The information got was like Q
bomb in our quiet home. It seems he
had left the employ of the company to
20 West, had vanished so far as they
were concerned, and had never report
ed the money had given him.
".She recovered from the shock, fol-
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 il 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 a scoundrel;
but, some way, have come to see .
meaning in It. 1t has helped my faith
in humanity after the jar he gave It
She ID serene and sensible through
It all" It's a case of 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 Granger's friend.
"and have always thought Of it ~
story Of the meanest man and the
! meanest act within my knowledge"
Suddenly tall figure arose, and in
. voice that was strained with emo.
tion said:
Gentlemen, that was the meanest
act-it is more than that-but I tell
| you that the chap who did it has suf-
fered for those years. He stands right
here-I'm the man. I thought I 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 reappear
there. did not think she could be SO
faithful. l did love her, and have
always in my way. I hope 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
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