Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-10-29


:. THE unfortunate woman becan
infatuated with a common Pul
man conductor-an Irishman nan
ed Conway-a very ordinary ma
who already was married.
, 'His religion forbade divorce
my wretched sister ran away wit
him. We have always striven I
bear the disgrace with resignatio
-mm yes, with patience an
resignation. That is the story"
Cleland, visibly embarrassed
sat twisting the handle of his wall
ing stick, looked persistently ava.
from Grismer. The latter sighe,
heavily.
"And So" he murmured, "oui
door was forever closed to hel
and hers. She became as one ig.
nobly dead to us-as soul damn,
ed for all eternity"
"Oh come, Grismer-'
"Damned-hopelessly, and for
all eternity" repeated Grismer
with slight snap of his jaw;
Silt anu Iltl CIlllulCil, iilt llSl
children's children"
What"
The sins of the parents that
are borne through generations
Nonsense! That is Old Testa-
ment bosh--"
Pardon" said Grismer, with
panied forbearance. 1T is the, creed
of those who worship and believe
the truth as taught IN the church
of which l am a memrer."
"Oh, l beg your pardon"
Granted said Grismer sadly.
He sat caressing his jaw in 81
lence for a while then:
"IIer name was Jessie Grismer.
She-ah---assumed the name of
Conway. God did not bless
the unholy union. There was a
daughter, Laura. A certain Harry
Quest, the profligate, wasted son
of that good man, the Reverend
Anthony Quest, marrid this girl,
Laura Con 9ay. God, mindful
of His wrath, still punished the
seed of my sinful sister, even until
the second generation. Ste
phanie Quest is their daughter
Good heavens, Grismer I can't
understand that you, knowing this,
have not done something"
why? Am 1 to presume to in
terfere with Gods purpose? Am I
to question the righteousness of
His wrath ?"
"But-she is the little grand
child of your own sister,"
"A sister utterly cut eff from
among us! A sister dead to us-a
soul eternally lost and to besetern-
ally forgotten"
us that -creed-Grismer
'It is"
-"Oh. 1 thought that aot of
mean, l thought such creeds were
out of date-old flshicned-'
"God,' said Chiltern Grismer
patiently, lis old fashioned, l be-
lieve-m- m m'yes-very old fash |
ioned, Cleland. But His purposes
are terrible, and His wrath is a
living thing to those who have the
fear of God within their hearts"
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry, aut
really can't be afraid of 1o1. If l
were, I'd doubt Him, G,'ism +.
Come; may l have the little girl p
do you desire her to abide un-
der your roof after what You have
earned?"
why, Grismer, I'd travel all
he way to hell to get her now, if
any of your creed had managed
o send her there. Come: I've seen
he child. 1t may be a risk, as
'ou lay. In fact, it can't help be-
ng a risk, Grismer, Butt want
ler May l have her?"
M-m-m-" he touched a bell
nd clerk appeared. Them he
urned to see our Mr.. Bunce? III
i.ank you. Good afternoon! II
m happy to have conversed again
With my old friend, John Cleland.
my friend of many
ears"
An hour later John Cleland leftI
our" Mr.. Bunce, armed with
roper authority to begin neces-
ary legal proceedings.
Taking it over with Brinton, his
ttorney, that evening, he relatedi
ne amazing conversation between
imself and Chiltern Grisner.
Brinton laughed:
1t isn't religious bigotry: it's
ISL stinginess. Grismer is the
leanest man on Manhattan Is
ma. Didn't you know it?"
NO. l don't know him WE'LL
lough I've been acquainted with
I'M for 'ong while. But l DON'T
e how he can be stingy." /
Why? i
Well he's interested in char /
Hes paid a humping big sal II
y! He makes money out of \
larity. Why shouldn't he be in II
rested?" II
But he publishes religious II
'ekS- II
of course. They sell. It's II
eat graft, Cleland. Don't nub- II
h novels if you want 10 make II
oney; print Bfbles," II
is that 4 factg" II
You bet, There are more II
rasites in pulpit. publishing III
use and charity concerns. who III
e exclusively by exploiting Go5. III
an there We're unpleasant affic- "
ms upon the epidermis Of our III
e friend, job. And Chiltern III
iSnaer is one of thenl-the old Y,
intlint'-hogging his only sis- III
; share Of the Grismer money! II!
q scared stiff for fear deseend- III