The Washington times., 1921-05-12

you're not suggesting that I
should ask him for money!" Philip
interrupted hotly. "a man you've
always despised because he made
his money out of speculation. II
that's II ."
TITS not It" The old man laugh
ed ruefully. IF that were all, l
could ask him myself as a mat
ter of fact ." He grew
shamefaced. II have asked him
already"
'Father!"
Mr.. winterdick rounded on him
Hereby.
1T was for your sake. not my
own-your sake and your mother'A
Do you think I want to see you
both ruined after all these years.
Do you think I want to turn out
of my home and die in. succeed
villa7" The old mans voice rose
passionately.
. Philip looked away. somehow he
could not bear 1t.
go on" he said. in a muffled
voice. "And what did--did Denni-
son sayT' 1t hurts his pride that
they should have to come to this
that his father. his father. the
most respected and first man in the
country. should have asked money
from old Dennison, a man who was
not properly educated. q man who
had boasted that he had once
served in his own small shop. 1t
was intolerable- go on" he said
again. what did he say-re-
fused, Of course"
mo but there were con-
ditions conditions which
only you, my boy. can fulfill"
There was a sort of desperate
courage now in his fathers voice.
He came across to Philip, and toll
. hand on his shoulder.
1--WE been good to you. my boy"
he said, almost humbly. You'll
not stand by and see me ruined
and see your mothers heart
brokenr'
Philip gripped his fathers hand.
"You know that anything I can
do I will. and gladly. But 1 dom
understand"
TT was Dennison's own condi-
ton, not mine ." Mr.. Win
terdick cleared his throat vigor-
ously. You know what that class
Of man is. what he thinks Of pedi,
gree and blue blood. and so forta
. Only natural. I suppose
Philip made a gesture Of intoI-
erance.
yes. yes but go on
go on o" His nerves felt
at swapping point. He could NOT
think what 1t was that his father
was driving at.
We'll, he says he will get me
out Of Sinclair's rotten concern.
take over the shares-make every
thing as 1t was before I was fooi
enough to trust the man, II you
IL you IL you
II you will marry his
daughter. Phil"
For a moment there was I'M
broken silence in the dusky room:
to Philip 1t seemed as il il were
just some scene from a play at
which he was part of the audience,
and not anyone whom 1t vitality con-
cerned.
He looked at hts mother her
face was raised now, and there
was a world Of strain and anxiety
in her eyes as they met his; her
hands were clasped in her lap;
her whole being seemed to be pray
do this thing-to save them while
there was yet time.
She had always been so proud.
1t struck her son now with a sort
of wonderment that she could be
willing for him to buy back what
they had lost at such a price; he
supposed it showed that she must
love the Highway House very
much.
He looked at his father-the old
mans head was bent, his hands
gripped the back of a chair against
which he was standing. and Philip
noticed that his knuckles stood out
white with the strain which he
was putting upon them.
He looked past him and into the
darkening garden. A bird was
drowsily in the silence
and everything was so quiet and
peaceful 1t seemed impossible that
this tragedy had really come into
his life.
He tried to speak. but his lips