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indignation； he never was so fond of you as then。 Yes； my poor
boy； this man； to whom God led your wandering feet at Deadman's
Gulch； the man who brought you here； and by some secret holdI
know not whaton Don Juan's past； persuaded him to assume to be
your relation； this man Flynn； this Jackson Brant the gambler； this
Hamilton Brant the outlawWAS YOUR FATHER！ Ah； yes！ Weep on； my
son； each tear of love and forgiveness from thee hath vicarious
power to wash away his sin。〃
With a single sweep of his protecting hand he drew Clarence towards
his breast； until the boy slowly sank upon his knees at his feet。
Then； lifting his eyes towards the ceiling； he said softly in an
older tongue； 〃And THOU； too； unhappy and perturbed spirit； rest！〃
。 。 。 。 。 。 。
It was nearly dawn when the good Padre wiped the last tears from
Clarence's clearer eyes。 〃And now； my son；〃 he said； with a gentle
smile； as he rose to his feet； 〃let us not forget the living。
Although your step…mother has； through her own act； no legal claim
upon you； far be it from me to indicate your attitude towards her。
Enough that YOU are independent。〃 He turned； and； opening a drawer
in his secretaire； took out a bank…book； and placed it in the hands
of the wondering boy。
〃It was HIS wish； Clarence； that even after his death you should
never have to prove your kinship to claim your rights。 Taking
advantage of the boyish deposit you had left with Mr。 Carden at the
bank； with his connivance and in your name he added to it； month by
month and year by year； Mr。 Carden cheerfully accepting the trust
and management of the fund。 The seed thus sown has produced a
thousandfold； Clarence； beyond all expectations。 You are not only
free； my son； but of yourself and in whatever name you chooseyour
own master。〃
〃I shall keep my father's name；〃 said the boy simply。
〃Amen！〃 said Father Sobriente。
Here closes the chronicle of Clarence Brant's boyhood。 How he
sustained his name and independence in after years； and who； of
those already mentioned in these pages； helped him to make or mar it；
may be a matter for future record。
End