Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-16
Shadows From the Past Of a Great
Fortune Fit Before Its Grim,
Unbending Possessor.

- head ana wholly bsld on Top. During
- forty dramatic ysar he had served tho
Battles father and son. lie remembered when
the house In Washington Square was bought
ana femodsisd. q pleasantly oid-fashionsd man
sion with white window trim let into facing
Of brick OF pale red that was not TO be seen
anywhere along the newer residence streets up
town. And he remembered the mist OF pale
green foliage that softsnsd and touched with
mystery the old Square sometimes In late April
and soms,imss In early May.
ones-that would be the year OF the blizzard
tho trees had not burgeoned until after the
middle OF May. He had taken personal charge
of the moving into the first Of the Fifth avenue
houses ithat was q hideous brownstone 'front.'
and had been homesiek there for years But
tho change into the second Fifth avenue house.
far uptown here opposite Central Park. had not
been so trying, The fact OF . larger staff Of
servants supported and soothed him. and he WAS
quietly proud OF the wide stairway with its rail-
IN OF white marble carved into delicate trscery.
he liked the elevators. too. Nothing for that
matter. seemed so trying during thsss later
years. Failing animal heat, perhspa
John Battle had died In this great house, an
had young Mrs. Robert. But not before the
flag Of tho Battle Shipping and Trading COM
pany had made itself known from Singapore
and Batavia TO Barbados and Pernambuco.
lie opened the door softly; then hssitatsd. II
vas q delicate matter Young Mr. Robert. once
he had drawn the big leather chair around to
tho fire and opened his brief case and spread out
that impressive array OF business documents.
preferred not TO bc disturbed. IL was during
those long solitary evenings that he got his real
work done. He often said that. To Stephens
there could have been but one Mr.. Battle. This
one. though upwards OF 80 now. would always
seem TO be young Mr.. Robert He leaned slight
iy forward. as he always had done when speak
ing to one OF the family. and clasped his hands
before him.
Beg pardon, sir, but young Mr.. Adrian would
like to speak with you. SIR"
Mr.. Robert Gravely lifted his head.
"You understand. stephens"
II quite understand. sir. But the young gen.
tlsman seemed very determined-even excited
strand. although l."
Did you make It plain to him that"
quite plain, sir. But could hardly venture
on discipline. sir"
Mr. Robert considered the matter.
Il will not see him. Stephens" he remarked,
1nally and resumed his work.
|Nery good, SIR"
Aut young Mr. Adrian burst into the room.
In years he might have been 25 or 2s. very
slender with an erect carriage and a sensitive
face that was flushed now.
"rhis 10 my last request OF you, father!" cried
the young man. God knows I wouldn't come
near you. film In terrible trouble-a thing
has happened that"
The words were tumblng in confusion over
q thick tongue. Mr.. Robert appeared to settle
in his chair. almost to sigh. Stephens now. or
perhaps Q moment later slipped quietly from
the room.
"You have been drinking again."
That's untrue!" ... ...
Careful what you say!" Mr.. Roberts nearly
square and very solid face with Its roughly
blocked-in shadows was taking on a not un-
familiar severity.
II haven't had a drop for three days. This
much you've got to understand-you've got to!-
I'm not here on the usual errand. I'm through,
too! Get that straight! But rotten emergency
has come up. I'd made arrangements to leave
ne country day after tomorrow"
you had!"
Ssut the hotel people have got after me-"
.hturally.'
20, not Just that" The young mans face
twitched; there was anger in his eyes, savage
pride, never under control, now ablaze. mot
the old naggng. They've brought"-his voice
broke into falsetto-"brought criminal action
against me-"
II confess I don't see how this concerns
me-"
Adrian swore under his breath.
20. know I'm talking to a man without
heart-hard - nails"
This 10 sheer waste Of time Adrian There's
no good in your coming here, against my
Wishes to indulge yourself in personal abuse.
Yours is Z strange sort Of egotism, not at
tractive."
IT didn't choose my blood or breeding!" The
young man bit this sentence off sharply; walked
u
back. "This much I have to tell you to make
it clear-I've engaged TO sail Thursday on one
Of the Isthmus and Pacific tramps as super
cargo. Understand-Ive got the job!'
Because Of my name, presume"
Adrian seemed physically to swallow this.
Then resumed: "Ive cut loose from all these
rotten associations here. I'm starting fresh.
A new footing But these dirty hotel people
have got me trapped I can't turn around
can't stir. They're going to Jail me-"
What did happen at that hotel?" the father
asked, coldy curious.
The boy drew long breath; threw back his
shoulders. II was paying five hundred and
sixty q week for that apartment"
"Hum!"
%. you can twist everything say to put me
in wrong. But I'm going to say it. YOU
brought me up. You never gave me any Idea
OF the value Of money. I've got to find all that
out for myself now. L ran weeks behind with
them. Went broke. And one night friend
helped me carry my trunk and things down
the fire escape. We were drunk. 1t seemed
amusing them"
THE present idea, take it, is that should
pay the hotel in order that YOU may start off
on your cruise
.'That's what it comes to. I'm helpless Will
you do IT."
Certainly not"
"Well then, by"
..spare me the profanity please! No. wait
moment! Sit down. That chair-where can
see you. Let's see whether you've learned to
listen little. That would be an excellent be-
ginning Of your new life. Just to learn to
listen."
with twitching face, after a bitter moment
Of indecision. Adrian dropped into the chair.
Il am 81 years DID, Adrian"
The boy stirred restlessly, but then settled
into quiet.
For IS years, man and boy have worked.
first in the spirit Of gratitude to my father for
giving great an opportunity; later to
help him develop the business, and finally to
extend and establish 1t on the solid basis you
see today. married when was two years