The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1921-06-10

BY A. wINeArE.
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Ashley sat at the desk In his den.
He had not yet actually settled down
to work, for the door stood ajar and
he was still exploring his portfolio
and setting papers in order before
him.
Voices foated down the staircase,
his wife's subdued. his sons deep and
vibrant. Ashley's lips expanded in a
satisfied smile.
Have you thought. Gordon, Of the
effect this will have upon your father,
and perhaps upon your prospectsy
Mrs. Ashley asked.
YES" answered the young man. Il
have yielded to father in choosing
business instead Of profession. In
this cannot yield"
HE will be disappointed" the moth
er said gravely.
Gordon laughed shortly at this mild
statement.
Il anna man now, mother, and this
is matter in which one man may not
command another. love Allie"
we've played together summers
down at Wheatfield ever since we
were kids. and always liked her
best" he finished, boyIshly.
His voice changed to a harsher tone.
Father is running his life and ours"
he said. sternly. Everything that is
his Is touched by the blight of his
overbearing temper. 1t is wearing
you out. ! can see it. Marjorie's
happiness was sacrificed to his am
bition. Dick was forced into uncon-
genial employment We've all kept in
for your sake, but some day there'll
be a mighty smash. There never was
a, man who thought himself omnipo-
tent, since the days Of Nebuchadnez-
Ear, that the Almighty didn't humble
him"
At the look on his mothers face,
he added. contritely:
Forgive me. mother. I shouldn't
hays said It."
They moved away.
Ashley sat motiouless. That merci-
less indictment from Gordon. his hope
and pride 1t was a full half-hour
before he arose, closed the door and
locked it. He dropped into his chair
and laid his head upon his folded
arms.
allie Betty Kent down in Wheat
field I"
That must be Alice Elizabeth's
daughter In the days when Wheat
field had been his home, Alice Eliza
beth's name had not been Kent, but
Courtney.
After a few. moments, he raised his
head, unlocked drawer and took out
4 box. From the box he drew shah
by pocketbook. and from this. in turn.
a tiny. yellowed silk bag. He united
Its string and shook the contents out
upon the blotter-a circiet of braided
sweet grass. dry and brittle. and a
gold ring set with q small diamond.
He remembered the day he had
braided the grass and measured Alice
finger.
They sat under the naples on the
river bank The sun sent golden
shafts OF light through the trees to fall
upon her yellow hair. She had insist
ed upon having the braided ring to
keep and had made the little silk
bag for 1t, the very evening he had
placed the diamond on her finger.
He remembered, too, the evening
nearly two years later. when she had
given them back. He recalled frag-
ments Of the conversation.
i '.You have grown so hard"
Nothing matters except having
yugF own way, and 1t does not matter
that your way IL not always right"
IL do not dare to risk life with you"
please try to change, or fear you
Will some day be q lonely. wretched
old man."
His hurt had been deep. He could
not destroy the rings. but had hidden
them.
Thirty-fve years. and he had not
rhanged. II tonight were any criterion.
he was on his way to the lonely,
old age she had prophested.
A rap sounded at the door. With
the pitiful diamond still clasped In his
hand, Ashley unlocked 1t.
Gordon came In. his shoulders
squared. II wasn't sure you had come
home" he said. Are you too busy to
listen to me for 4 few momentsr
Ashley pushed back his papers.
~Go ahead" he said. gruffiy.
Gordon came straight to the point
I'm engaged to be married. father.
thought 1t best to tell you"
Ashley was silent. Gordon stumbled
on. TT Is Allie Betty Kent. She lives
Ia Wheatheld, where we used to go
He waited. tense. for the
outburst.
I'm Wheatfeld." unused his father.
'sMurt he Alice COurtney's dauQh-