The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-08
A FAR CRY
By GEORGE E. COBB
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper union)

Robert Fletcher dld not reply 10 me
remark of his wife, and she looked dis
appointed,
Don't you believe in encouraging
talent?' she urged. and there was a
trifle of petuance in her tones.
II do" answered Echert Int 10 he
plain with you, Marian. from clo<ely
studying Waldron ara having his real
welfare at heart 10 not believe f3tat
a penchant for ra&liEe aud slang ald
an ambition to he popular clog
dancer will help Waldron in husi-
ness way. There is fine academy at
LeesviIie. Waldron needs discipline
and training. Why not ft him for the
serious duties Of life instead CT for
it's follies:"
You are a kill joy. Robert Time
enough for Waldron 70 take on the
cares of life when he has had share
of its enjoyments and Marian Fletch-
er Haunted from the roem
It was not the first mlsunderStand-
ing of husband and wife, if It could he
termed such. Robert Waldr0n held
his temper steadily. as he always
| contention between them,
Marian De Lorme was a widow when
| Robert Fletcher had married her and
| he married her for love. Her son was
made welcome to his home by Robert
until patience ceased to be a virtue.
| The boy refused 70 attend school reg
ularly. he trained with an idle and
vicious group and he was insolent and
| disobedient. Robert tried TO gently
lead the fond mother into a co-opera-
ton with himself to remove Waldron
from bad influences. but Mrs. Fletcher
| jealousy stood up for the young
scapegrace. even to the point OF pout-
ing and sullenness.
At the end of two years of indiffer-
ent welded experience there came
about the parting of the ways. Wal
dron grew from bad to worse. Twice
; his stepfather had detected him in
thefts, and several times the unruly
, member of the household had run
away from home, once with. a circus,
again with a troupe of travelling min
strels.
but he has such brilliant instincts :"
boosted the mother. who had spoiled
him. HE sings like a lark and is
agile and clever as a born athlete"
Finally Robert laid down the law.
He mapped out a reasonable, sensible
program Of school and home discipline.
The mother sulked and differed with
him. The stepson resented all strict
censorship. One day both left home.
i and a brief note informed Robert that
they would hereafter take care of
themselves.
He traced them TO the city, but all
efforts at a reconciliation were re-
pulsed. It hurt him sorely to hear
! that his wife had lost all regard for
:, him. He kept the home open for sew
| eral months, had an attorney inter
view the truant wife, was told bluntly
e by the lawyer that she was 4 per-
verse, misguided woman, and then
Robert sold his home, Loyalty sent halt
the proceeds TO his wife and went to
,el the far West to lead broken life.
His last instructions to his lawyer
! were to the effect that he was ready
to renew his relations with his wife
>; and son at any time.
i Robert settled in a growing town in
Oregon and succeeded in a bushes;
which he conducted only half hearted
~ At the end of two years the law.
yer wrote to him that Waldron had
gone on the vaudeville stage and hat
IL, met with a fair reception. Later the
intelligence came that the hoy hat
become a reckless gambler, had in
volved his mother in a financial way
had stolen her diamonds, and desert
ed her and had disappeared no trace!
of either mother or son were reported
y | for a year after that. Then the law
yer wrote he had heard that Waldrol
sti was In a hospital in New Orleans
Of broken in health. As to the mother
ngl he stated that he had received a let
in ter from her dated from a small New
h, England town asking for the address
o. of her husband.
: Never mind the boy" came tn
-, prompt reply from Robert. Il know
f. where he is. BY all means keep il
50 as close touch as possible with hi
d mother"
o. One evening Robert Fletcher wa
seated in the elegant home his indu,
try had acquired when there was
i, call on the phone. Long distanre.
| was the notification from the centra
! telephone Office and a city over
/ thousand miles distant was named. II
took up the receiver:
! cit is Marian" came the tremulou
7 | words that thrilled. May l com
| homer"
i A far eryl How his soul thrilled
/ | A quivering, longing reply: My dea
| ! you will be oh! so welcome"
He was in the private office tw
| ! days later when a yelled woman ws
| shown in. She advanced timidIy.
fall upon her knees, her pleat.:r
| hands uplifted.
| Not there!" cried Robert, liftir
| her up, 'but here, next to my loviI
| heart -