=There in the East we dreamed our dreams of the things we hoped to do,= =And here in the West, the crimson West, the dreams of the East come true.=
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY PURNELL AND SONS PAULTON, SOMERSET, ENGLAND
Those Fortunates Who First Saw The Light Of Day In This Glorious Country, And With Whom Rests The Future Prosperity Of The Land of Their Birth—THE NATIVE SONS OF CANADA—This Book is respectfully dedicated
Jangling his keys on their big ring, the sheriff led John McLean down several steps, then through a long, narrow hall to the rear of the jail. From a distant corridor came the sound of a raucous voice attempting to sing one of the popular ragtimes of the day.
“Some fellow’s still got a ‘hang-over,’” observed the sheriff as he paused before a cell, consulted a number, then searched for the key. As the door swung open a sleepy voice was raised in mock solemnity.
“What ho, varlet! Why dost thou open the dungeon door? Has the king granted a reprieve?” His eyes blinking, the inmate stepped into the bright light of the hall. A dull red suffused his pale face as he saw the tall figure behind the sheriff.
“Hello, Dad! Nice morning,” he smiled in a weak attempt at joviality, but the smile faded as he sensed a change in his father.
“My son arrested in a low gambling den!” the father said bitterly. “Donald, you have disgraced the family name. Your drinking carousals and gambling can have but one end. I have been too easy with you. For your own good I’m going to turn you loose. Until such time as you can return to me rid of your bad habits, and have proven yourself a man, you are not a son of mine. I—I’m done with you.”
Donald’s father turned abruptly on his heel and strode swiftly down the passage. It had been a tremendous test of his will power to make this short speech, and to resist the almost overmastering desire to take his boy in his arms.
The young man stood with mouth agape, a stupefied look in his eyes, and stared after the retreating form of his parent. The sheriff broke the silence. “We’ll go upstairs, Don!”
On the upper floor the desk sergeant handed the released prisoner his watch and money, taken from him, as is the custom, the night before. The sheriff motioned to a seat.