The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-05-04
The Former
Convict
BY HENRIETTA LEE

1S<<<S<<<<<<~S~SStss>rs
z Copyright, 1922. Western Newspaper Unior
Rowland faced Morton In the living
) room of the Darrows' house. 1t wa
moment Morton was never to forge
as long as he lived.
Morton" he said with sneer, 'In
wise to you. I know your past-al
Of it. 1t may interest you to know
that I've had special agent on YOU
trail for some time. You're an ex-con
vict.
Give years ago you were sent tC
the penitentiary for twelve months
for forging check for two thousand
dollars. I'm the only person here who
knows 1t. Take my advice and clear
out of Staples, and-take your past
with you."
Morton was acuteIy conscious OF
everything. Outside, on the porch, sat
May Darrow, 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 a
young 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 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 interruptions as
he was, Morton knew that he would
show him no mercy.
"The alternative, as I understand"
Morton began, speaking In voice
whose Icy coldness surprised him.
rs ruin and complete exposure"
answered Rowland brutally. "You can
never marry May Darrow. What do
you think these honest people would
think, If they knew that you were a
jail-birdY'
st thought you would be man
enough to play fair, Rowland Nor
ton began.
"You guessed wrong, then. Which
is 1t to be?'
Before either could say any more
Darrow came along the hall.
"Come outside, folks!" he said
cheerily. Then, glancing at their faces,
Nothing wrong, is there?"
Morton grew icily contained. 81 be-
lieve Mr.. Rowland wishes to make
statement to you about me- he said.
Howland's face grew dark with
blood.
"All right, you fooll" he shouted.
That's so, Mr.. Darrow, and I'll make
it outside, in the presence Of your wife
and daughterl"
Darrow's face Indicated certain
amount of contempt as he answered:
"By all means, Mr.. Howlsnd, If you
are sure it is proper for them to hear
it."
~Oh, I'm sure enough" sneered the
following the others
onto the stoop.
May and her mother sat in the porch
chairs. The night was brilliant with
areflies. Only a short half-hour ago
Morton had told May of his love, and
had learned that it was returned. Now
that the dream was shattered 1t was
astonishing how calm he felt
Margaret, my dear, Mr.. Rowland
has a communication to make to us
ILL, which he says is of Importance"
said Darrow.
No one knew how barrow would
AXE anything, but every one knew
hat he was as straight as a die; that
he would never tolerate dishonesty.
'The statement / have to make" said
furiously, concerns our pre-
.ious friend Morton, here. You think
les everything that gentleman
,ught to be, that he's worthy to en- !
er your house, don't you? Well, he
sn'tl He's an ex-convict. He served
year in the state penitentiary for
orgery. 1 don't know what else he's
lone"
lis this statement correct, Mr.. Nor
on?" asked Darrow coldly.
"It's perfectly true" answered Nor !.
on. 'Td hoped to live it down. But ;
,uess it's followed me here. I've done !
wrong hiding tt"
every wrong under the circum- :
tances," said Darrow.
"But it was my intention to tell !
ou before-well, that's all need say
low. Perhaps you can't understand
low q man feels when he's restored
o the society of his fellow-men after
THAT happened to me. However, it's 6
IL true, and-good night"
zone moment" said barrow, rails
az his hand. "It may interest you :
entlemen to-know that what you, Mr.. :
Rowland, consider news is-a mares :
est. Every one of any consequence :,
4 Staples has been aware of these :.
acts ever since Mr. Morton came to :
We here.
people are kinder than is generally
There is no one who would
ave tainted Mr.. Morton, or told
i'm, or not trusted him. And that In Il
ludes myself-and my family. II
Morton, come backl Goodnight, II
Ir. Rowland. Morton" he grasped II