Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-20
S..v.sn IT, aIms:1t,, :: n.'am' win b judging

!t's Himself, ma'am. win BE- judging
II
There had teen sitting Of the Keys
that day, and when the Speaker re.
turned home he found his wife ON the
gofaswith . damp handkerchief over her
forehead and q bottle Of smelling. salt:
IN her hand. She told him what had
"Weii, wsll." he said. 80 that's
what It means. BUT there's no know.
ing what hedge the hare will jump
His figure was ieas burly than before,
bis head was more bald and his full
beard was whittier, but his eyes flashed
with the same unsovernable fire.
That girl must be Q thoroughly bad
one" said Mrs. Cell. ITS not the
flrst time she hss got our Alick into
trouble, remember. We must save our
son from the de.isnins young busy"
WHO else, thenl''
much, Sa; ,sssss %::s +! /! might have expected as
Coming homo in the train he had had
some talk with Kerruish, his advocate
Dan Baidromma, who was back with
his rent, was refusing to pay, and say.
Ing, Let the SPEAKER fetch me to Coort,
and I'll tell him the raison.',
. Then e, cane you settle with the man,
"settle with Dan! I'll settle with
Alick first, Bella, and II he has given
that scoundrel tho whiphand Of me
Ill break every bone In his body"
But It may not be true. 1t cannot
be true. Unless Alick tells me 30 him.
self, Ill never believe word Of It,"
They were at tea in the dining room.
country fashion, the Speaker at the
before him, and his wife and daughters
at either side, when Alick entered.
"Helloa - he cried, With a forced
gayety. But only his mother responded
to his greeting and made room for him
by her side. She saw that he was paler
and thinner, and that his hand trembled
when he took his cup.
Tho Speaker, who had turned his
rough shoulder to his son, tried to re.
strain himself from breaking out on him
until the meal would be over and he
could take him into his own room, but
before long his impatience overcame
him.
whats this we're hearing about
you"that you are carrying on with a
sirl?"
sir?" said Alick.
Certainly I mean Bessie Collister.
And I thought you gave me your word
that you would see no more Of her."
but that was the promise Of q boy,
sir. Did you expect It to bind the man
"The man, The mani" said the
Speaker, mimicking his sons voice in
mincing treble. "Do you call your.
self a man, bringing disgrace on your
name and family"
What disgrace, sir?"
"What disgrace? All the island
seems to have heard Of It. Is it neces-
sary to tell you? Living secret, 80 they
say, with woman who isn't At com.
pany for your mother and. sisters
"!f anybody told you that, SIR" said
"he told you a lie-a damned lie, sir!'
her husband. "What did I say? 1t
isn't true, you see.'
:..Of course 1t isn't true, mother; and
the best proof that I'm not behaving
dishonorably to Bessie Collister is that
intend to marry her."
It was sickening moment for Mrs.
Cell, and the Speaker, for an instant,
was dumfounded.
"Eh? What? You intend to marry.
80
"Yes, sir; and that's why I'm here
today-to bring you the news, and to
ask you to restore the allowance you
cut down in the spring, you know, {
That that that girl
"Archie!" cried Mrs. Cell, indicat.
ing their daughters. !!
Bessie is q good girl, father" said
Alick. "What happened before she was
born wasn't her fault, SIR"
80 you've come to bring us the newa
and to ask me to double your allow
"If you please, sir. You couldn't
wish your son and his wife L" -
"His wife! There you are, Bella
That's what I've been working day and
night thirty years for-to see my son
throw half my earnings-all that
can't will away from him-into the
hands Of o man like Dan Baldromma I"
"But Alick will be reasonable" said
Mrs. Cell. He'll give the girl up"
Hell have to do that, and quick,
too, or I'll cut off his allowance alto.
gether." |
"Do you mean It, sir?" said Alick-
he was pushing his chair back.
"Do I mean it? Certainly I mean 1t.
You'll give the girl up or never another
penny Of mine shall you see as long
as live !"
"All right" said Alick. rising from
the table, "I'll earn my own living"
The Sneaker broke into q neal Of |
laughter. "You earn your liv.
Ing! That's rich -
"Give her up2" cried Alick. "I'n
break stones on the highway or porter
on the pier before Ill give up her little
finger!"
"You fool! You confounded fool
But no fear! She'll give you up when
she finds you We lost your income"
"Will she? Ill trust her for that,
SIR"
"Then get away back to her-you'll
not be the first by a long way"
Alick, who had been trying to laugh, |
stopped his laughter suddenly, and
'aid, What do you mean by that, sir?"
Mean? De- you want me to tell you
"Archie," cried Mrs. Cell, and again
she indicated their daughters.
''Get out of this, will your" cried
The Speaker to the girls, who had been
sitting with their noses In their tea.
cups.
The girls fed from the room, but
stood outside to listen.
Father" said Alick, 'you must
tell me what you mean"
"Mean! Mean! Don't stand there
ross. examining your own father.