The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-06-15
The Former
Convict
b. HENRIETTA LEE

: By HENRIETTA LEE (
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS >$>S2ssS$$s$1
Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Rowland faced Morton in the living
room of the Darrows' house. 1t was
moment Merton was never to forget
as long as he lived.
Morton" he said with sheer, I'm
wise to you. know your past-all
OF it. 1t may interest you to know
that I've had special agent on your
trail for some time. You're an ex-con-
Wet.
give years ago you were sent to
the penitentiary for twelve months,
for forging a check for two thousand
dollars. I'm the only person here who
knows it. Take my advice and clear
out of Staples, and-take your past
with you"
Morton was acutely conscious of
everything. Outside, on the porch, sat
May barrow, the only child of the
rich banker, and his wife who had been
Morton's best friends since he settled
in the village to start law practice
which had begun to make him prosper
Gus. None of the folks knew his
criminal record.
1t had been the temptation of q
young man acutely pressed for money.
Desperate, he had forged the check.
He had taken his medicine. BE had
settled in Staples resolved to live down
the past. He had lived it down.
And May had just promised to be-
come his wife.
Now all that dream was shattered.
Rowland, the rich manufacturer, had
been Mays sutton for years; he was
mad about her, and INSCRIPTIONS as
he was, Morton knew that he would
show him no mercy.
"The alternative, as I understand"
Morton began, speaking in a voice
whose icy GOODNESS surprised him.
lis ruin and complete exposure"
answered Rowland brutally. "You can
never marry May barrow. What do
you think these honest people would
think, if they knew that you were a
jail-bird?"
Il thought you would be man
enough to play fair, Rowland" Nor
ton began.
"You guessed wrong, then. Which
is it to be?"
Before either could say any more
barrow came along the hail..
"Come outside, folks!" he said
cheerily. Then, glanoing at their faces,
Nothing wrong, is there?"
Morton grew icily contained. Il be-
lieve Mr.. Rowland wishes to make
statement to you about me-" he said.
Howland's face grew dark with
blood.
"All right, you fool!" he shouted.
THAT'S so, Mr.. Darrow. and I'll make
it outside, in the presence of your wife
and daughter!"
Darrow's face Indicated a certain
amount of contempt as he answered:
"By all means, Mr.. Rowland, if you
are sure it is proper for them to hear
it."
L
manufacturer, following the others
onto the stoop.
May and her mother sat in the porch
chairs. The night was brilliant with
f1refiies. Only short half-hour ago
Morton had told May Of his love, and
had learned that it was returned. Now
that the dream was shattered, it was
astonishing how calm he felt.
Margaret, my dear, Mr.. Rowland
has communication to make to us
all, which he says is of importance"
said Darrow.
No one knew how barrow would
take anything, bat every one knew
that he was as straight as die; that
he would never tolerate dishonesty.
1.-THE statement I have to make" said
Rowland furiously, concerns our pre-
cious friend Morton, here. You think
he's everything that gentleman
ought to be, that he's worthy to en-.
ter your house, don't you? Well, he
isn't! He's an ex-convict. He served
year in the state penitentiary fol
forgery. don't know what else he's
DONE"
lis this statement correct, Mr.. Nor
ton?' asked Darrow coldly.
Its perfectly true" answered Nor
ton. "1'd hoped to live it down. But
guess it's followed me here. I've done
wrong hiding it.
every wrong under the circum
Stances" said barrow.
"But it was my intention to tel
you before-well, that's all need say
now. Perhaps you can't understand
how man feels when he's restored
to the society Of his fellow-men after
what happened to me. However, it's
all true, and-good night!'
"One moment!" said Darrow, rails
ing his hand. 1T may interest you
! ~oo+1o,,oo,, m Lrouy fhot u,hot Won Mr.