Charlevoix county herald., 1917-09-28

crooked into the work with Dicks
keen eye on the alert. He fell into
the habit OF leaving the ofiice pretty
much In Dicks charge. There were
q nanees for speculation open In other
fields where he could make good, and
he felt safer anywhere else than with
his son.
Dicks genial, hearty good nature
won him even more friends than his
father. He was by far the most popu-
lar young man In town. beloved by
everybody, for even his faults seemed
liberal, whole-hearted ones. He was
generous with his good-fellowship and
good times, barring no one. The IA
tner was more than proud OF the son.
lie gloated oyer his clean life. Here at
lest was a fitting gift from his hand
to the world-the gift of worthy son.
Dick had been in the Office one year
when his father was taken seriously
i'll. II was an aggravated spell OF sick
ness and kept him confined to his bed
for weeks. II was then that his con-
iidence in Dick was comforting.
81 feel as though could just turn
everything over to you. my boy" he
said, as he listened to Dicks stories OF
the day proudly. ITS little sting to
my pride. must admit. to feel that
slant be missed. but the pain is more
than overcome by the satisfaction one
feels In having son that can more
Il an Gil his place.
do you know. Dick, I've always
CT erished a dream. II was that some
day l should live to see the nrm OF
Kiefer & Kiefer in big, bold letters,
defying the world as to their business
principles. I've been holding of till
you were out of school. hated to
start in alone. After all, your fathers
terrible coward, Dick"
He reached OUT and touched the
young hand almost reverently. The
boys eyes shifted under the fathers
devouring gaze.
81 guess you'd have made a go OF II
all right. dad" he said lightly.
well, maybe so. but wanted you
With me. I've needed you long time.
Dick. You would have made man
OF me- II makes life worth while to
know that I'm the father OF q boy
like YOU"
Dick made some awkward remark
about the days work. and. bidding his
father hasty goodby. hurried away
During the weeks that followed he
was not much at the house. He went
TO work early and stayed late, the
hours between were mostly spent
meeting his social obligations. He
was in great demand. His six-cylin.er
car was about the most stunning thing
on the boulevard.
Stories came to the sick mans bed
side that the younger Richard was
going to pieces. that he was leading a
fast life. but the father put no cred
ence in such tales. A fellow had to
have little diversion. His work in
the Office showed where he stood. His
,lear eye. too. and manly face! Such
cleanlooking chap could not be
going much to the bad, and the elder
Kiefer was not uneasy.
He had been pretty much Of sport
himself when lad. and that was how
hi knew that Dick was not.
Gambling had been one OF his vices.
He was glad that Dick had never fall
ca prey to that. He was glad. too, that
such things in his past life had been
effectually covered up.
He wouldn't have had Dick know
tn. ugly facts for the world. Let him
think himself the good son OF good
father: 1t might strengthen him II h /,
should ever feel the need OF such
support.
When he went hack to the ONCE he
meant to begin straight. There should
be no new skeletons I'm the closet, and
he meant to dispose of those already
there.
There was some things that would
ave to be Strengthened up first-a
taw obligations that would have TO be
met in some way. II would be little
uSlu w SCI oil oiOuhu
he would have to let himself out grad
ually to avoid remark.
His private affairs had been getting
in bad way during his sickness. II
would take herculean effort. but II
would be the last. He dreaded pick
ing up the tangled threads.
Worrying about II kept him in bed
several days longer. Thursday he was
able to be up. Friday he paced the
room restlessly, and Saturday after
noon, which was a half.holiday for
Dick. he insisted upon going to the
Office, in spite OF his wife's aud daugh
ter's earnest entreaties.
1t was with real alarm that they
helped him into his coat and hat, and
watched him go tremblingly down the
steps and along the walk, leaning
heavily upon his cane for support.
But you know Dick In liable TO be
gone," Mrs. Kiefer worried! HE
talked Of driving to Gadlow this after
noon."
Mr. Kiefer knew. Dick had con
fded his plans very impressively that
morning. He meant to be gone until
t.to In tl,a oxr,n;un Qtiu tk. ~ld..