The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-12-07
The Former
Convict

I Convict s
By HENRIETTA LEE :
kssssssssssssssssss
so,rtght 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Rowland faced Morton in the living.
.orp of the Darrows' house. 1t was
aomept Morton was never to forget
long as he lived.
: 9ylorton," he said with a sneer' I'm
.kp TO you. know your past-all
T. 1t may interest you to know
III I've had a special agent on your
In for some time. You're an ex-cOn-
1t
Five years ago you were sent 10
II penitentiary for twelve months,
N forging a check for two thousand
b|lars. I'm the only person here who
nows it. Take my advice and clear
lat of Staples, and-take your past
9TH you'"
Norton was acutely conscious OF
rerything. Outside, on the porch, sat
sy barrow, the only child Of the
seh banker, and his wife who had been
kbrtons best friends since he settled
the village to start a law practice
Fhich had begun to make him prosper
ms None Of the folks knew his
criminal record.
It had been the temptation OF a
kyoung man acutely pressed for money.
! Desperate, he had forged the check.
He had taken his medicine. He had
settled in Staples resolved to live down
the past. He had lived 1t 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
ihow him, no mercy.
1.-THE alternative, as | UNDERESTIMATE
Norton began, speaking in a. voice
whose icy GOODNESS surprised him.
rs 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
hllbird?'
: u thought you would be man
enough to play fair, Howland--' Nor
ton began.
"You guessed wrong, then. Which
b 1t to be?"
Before either could say any more
barrow came along the hall.
"Come outside, fOlks!" he said
|cheerily. Then, glancing at their faces,
|rNothing wrong, Is there"
Morton grew Jelly contained. i De-
|ieve Mr.. Rowland wishes to make q
|Dtatement 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
= outside, in the presence of your wife
Ind daughter!"
Darrow's face Indicated a certain
amount of contempt as he. answered.:
"By all means, Mr.. HowlSnd, If you
ne sure it Is proper for them to hear
"a"
"0h, I'm sure enough" Sneered the
manufacturer, following the others
into the stOop.
May and her mother sat in the porch
| chairs. The night was brilliant with
ifeales. Only short half-hour ago
Norton had told May of his love, ana
! had learned that it was returned. NOW
hat the dream WAS shattered, 1t was
astonishing how calm. he felt
Margaret, my DEAR. Mr.. Rowland
bs a communication to make to us
d. which he says Is OF Importance
MD barrow. y
No one knew how Darrow would
hke anything, but every one knew
that he was as straight as a die; that
h would never tolerate dishonesty.
~The statement l have to make" said
4 Rowland furiously, concerns our pre-
! elous friend Morton, here. You think
Ass everything that a gentleman
ought to be, that he's worthy to en-
ter your house, don't you! Well, he
4 Int! He's an ex.convlct. He served
! I year In the state penitentiary for
forgery. ! don't know what else he's
done"
Us this statement correct, Mr.. Nor.
tony' asked barrow coldly.
B TITS perfectly true" answered Nor
ton. I'D hoped to live It down. But |
\ guess It's followed me here. I've done
wrong hiding It"
VERY wrong under the circum.
Itances,' said barrow.
But II was my intention to tell
leu before-well, that's all I need say
now. Perhaps you can't understand
how man feels when he's restored
to the society Of his tellow-men after
what happened to me. However, It's
Oil true, and-good night"
One moment" said barrow, rails.
ING his hand. 1T may interest you
Gentlemen to know that what you, Mr..
Rowland, consider news is--a mares
nest. Every one Of any consequence