The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-14
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CHAUTER 1Oe

| It was a hard task that Kenneth Lang had undertaken-that of break | ing the news of his daughters mar | riage to James Walsh, and of trying 1 to reconcile him to that marriage. It was harder still to have to tell the father that his daughters new hus- band had attempted to cheat his fath- er-in-law.
 l For some time his efforts seemed doomed to failure. Walsh swore, stormed up and down his office and used language so violent that his companion had to warn him that his employees in the outer offices would overhear the shameful truth.
 This was the first suggestion that bro ught James Walsh to something approaching reason.
 There is no need of dragging your daughters name through the mud" Kenneth declared. Nor of making her an object of pity and ridicule."
 At last the young man saw that his arguments were gaining attention from the distraught father. and seized his advantage eagerly.
 "If the facts become known" Lang continued, people will say-with circumstantial evidence to support the tale-that you refused to let your daughter marry Travers; that she de- fled you-evcn going so far as to raise a check that you had given her from one hundred to one thousand dollars. For, you see, it was Vic toria--not Travers-who endorsed that check"
 My God!" the man moaned. "Peo- pie would not believe that of my child!"
 Not unless you make them be- lieve it-no."
 Then you would have me con done what Travers did and let him go off with my nine hundred dollars as reward for his damned rascal ity? The skunk!"
 "No-you need do nothing of the kind!" Lang contradicted. "The money will be paid back. Give Trav- repay it. If he does not, l will!"
 What! Your"
 "Yes-r! But I will not have to do it. As soon as. Sam gets some money that is due him, he will make resti- tuition. But if he were not able to do this. would do it for him."
 You're fool!" the elderly man exclaimed. sullen glow in his eyes. "Why should you do that?"
 Then Kenneth played his strongest card. He held 1t until now, hoping not to be forced to lay it on the table.
 T say-why should you stand by Travers?" Walsh demanded again.
 Perhaps" Lang said slowly, be cause I want to be like my father. He stood by men who had not all ways run straight. and gave them an- other chance. All he asked was that they should mean to do the right thing. Travers means to do the right thing. And he will do it."
 He was watching the man facing him, and saw his sudden start and the look of terrified inquiry that leapcd to the sharp eyes.
 Nothing more was needed to con- vince Lang that he had been right, when, at sundry times. he had fam cied that his father had known some fdiscreditablc secret in this mans past. a secret that Kenneth Lang, Senior, had ctncealed-probably by financial help in a perilous crisis.
 Of one thing the son was sure. His father had trusted Walsh to Ego and sin no more" after receiving help Had Walsh been worthy of that trust?
 There was long silence. Then. with a groan, James Walsh buried his head in his Quivering hands
 I'm beaten" he murmured. "Go ahead! l give in! Tell them at the bank to hush this matter up. Arc you sure''-Hfting his head and look