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Show A NEY YEAR? , PROMISE? V Frank S Horhort ty . fBSX HEY sat across the Nft; table from each svil -v otbm, the father's -?yOf59 ) lined face was lm- rwm&) passlTe' the by's HJXfjJM.' openly defiant "Parting of the f3"1:?v ways for ns, of course, Dad," said the youth, flippantly. "Question Is, how much loot do I take along?" The man across the table did not speak. He was looking toward his son, "This seance was called for more New Tear resolutions, naturally," went -on the youth, "but the first of January don't mean a thing to me." Still the weary, far-away gaze. "Now, see here, Dad," angrily, "spit It out I Am I going to be furnished with any ballast or not? Remember, a lot of the money was mother's, and she" He stopped abruptly, his Hps suddenly sud-denly trembling. "No, no, father, I don't mean that. Let's not bring -mother Into It. But you have so much jrou can spare some, especially when you shanghaied my best friend, after despoiling him. And I may as well tell you," defiantly, "that Sid Kyler -writes me of the wonderful chances In Chile, and for me to Join him there." His father seemed to bring his thoughts back with an effort. "Beg pardon, Robert," he apologised. apolo-gised. "I was thinking of your mother. moth-er. She left us so recently that I can't seem to adjust myself to the loss. And New Year's Is as much a day of business accounting and read-Justing read-Justing as of making new resolutions." Robert's face began to clear. "You are going to let me have something, some-thing, then?' "As you know," his father went on, "much of the money expansion here came from your mother. I had only a little business of my own in California. Cali-fornia. We had our honeymoon there, and Robert, I plan to go back and spend the rest of my days where I j was happiest. So this New Year's ! day seems a fitting time for me to i make everything over to you." i "And a little warning, son. It may I hurt, but Is necessary for your safety. No one ever despoiled Sid Kyler of anything. He spent his father's fortune for-tune In debauchery, secretly. I gave him a position of trust for your sake, and he abstracted a large sum. I might have saved him, but he had stolen from others and had to flee. You should know him now, or he will bleed you long as there Is a drop of blood left. "But how how could I " "Think, Robert," significantly. Five minutes, then suddenly a great light came to the young man. - He threw himself upon his knees beside his father. "I see It. I I believed everything Sid Kyler and his kind told me, against what you said, and we drifted apart. But listen now, Dad. On this New Year day I promise to carry on the business as you and mother would have me do, i But, Dad, won't you stay and help, or advise me?" Some of the lines left his fathers face. His eyes lighted. "If you wish It, Bon. I think your mother would like It that way." t$. UM. Westsra N.wspaper Union.) i t ) |