Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-10-24
The Stain on
Him
DORRANCE had looked askance at

By JUSTIN WENTWOOD
Co. 1929 Western Newspaper Union.)

Co. 1923, Western Newspaper Union.)
| DORRANCE had looked askance at
- Wentworth ever since he began
| visiting at the judges house. Judge
| Lomax had ofliciatcd over in Tyson
county, but had now taken up the
ranch in Harrisville Wentworth had
| located in Harrisvile two years before
and gone into the insurance business
there Dorrance was in the land game
and had business interests which he
| shared with the judge.
= The principal one of these, however,
was Molly Lomax. When Wentworth
arrived they were supposed to be en-
gagged. AS a matter Of fact they were
not engaged Molly had said she
| didn't know her own mind and would
see. 1t took her long while to see.
AS a matter of fact, she knew she did
not really care for Dorrance. But she
wondered whether it was in her nature
to care for any one.
But when Wentworth and she met
| she ceased to wonder. She had cared
| for Wentworth from the time they first
met.
For long time she wondered. Went
worth was one of those men who kept
one guessing. He was slow of speech,
slow of action, grave, steady. He had
hardly any friends in Harrisville,
though all spoke well of him. The
| judge, especially. Sometimes Went
worth would come over to the ranch
in the evenings and play chess with
her father. Molly wondered what his
past had been. A man of thirty must
have had eXperience-tragic ones, Mol
ly thOught-tO have become so serious.
1t pleased her to think that there was
something in Wentworths past. Other
people thought it, too. They sought his
company no more than he sought hers.
you're probably right, Molly" her
father said. when she preached the
subject to him. But in this part of
the world. dear. we judge a man by
what he is; we don't ask questions
Daddy. you don't think it was some
ng-disgraceful, do you?'
II didn't mean to suggest that" re-
piled the judge.
Molly thought her father spoke a
little strangely. But she had worse
things to trouble her. She had begun
to dislike Dorrance, perhaps because
he was almost the antithesis of Went
worth. The Two men had met once
at her house. and Dorrance's hostility
was evident.
oh, ont
worth really cared for her. That doubt
was solved one evening when he told
her.
molly, dear, you've known, haven't
you?" he asked. 1--WE cared ever since
we met. But-theres something I
must tell you"
There's nothing you have TO tell
me-" answered Molly-and then some
how they found themselves in each
others arms.
They did not know how long they
stood thus. They were interrupted by
Il Sneering laugh behind them. Molly
spun round-to see Dorrance standing
in the doorway, watching them.
$50 that's it, is it," he jeered.
"Judge. will you come here moment?"
The Judge came slowly out Of his
study. Perhaps he had heard. His
tone was stiff as he addressed Dor
rance.
"Well, Dorrance?"
81 happened upon an interesting
sight a minute ago. This man"
Molly sprang between them as Went
worth advanced upon the other. She
held him back
: 81 suppose they are engaged, and
think ought to tell you something, be-
ing the person principally concerned.
At least, was given to understand"
81 gave you to understand nothing"
said Molly Indignantly.
anyway this man Wentworth
had his record looked up out II friend
ship for you, Judge Lomax. He's a
jailbird. He served a year in the
state penitentiary for embezzlement
five years ago. A fine fellow to have
around your home, judge, kissing your
daughter"
Wentworth was staring straight in
front of him. Molly chung to him. 81
don't care! l don't care" she painted,
The Judges tone was icy as he an
swered. you've found a mares nest.
I've known all about that, and as my
daughter has said she doesn't care
may say don't. 1t was an act of boy
ish folly for which Mr.. Wentworth has
long ago made amendment
He turned to Wentworth You see,
my dear fellow he said, 81 am the
judge who sentenced you. Good eve
ming, Mr.. Dorrance."