The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1903-01-20

walked ustlessly down a dusty Iowa
lane. There was nothing about his
clothes nor general demeanor to dis
tfnguish Ism from other tramps. yet
his face seemed prepossessing, and his
forehead was intellectual. Finally he
came within sight Of group Of trees,
whose green freshness spoke eloquent
ly Of rest. He increased his pace ana
vas soon seated on shaded bank.
Behind him was a picket fence. and
farther back was a substantial farm
house. half hidden by its grove OF
trees. After lighting his black pipe,
the tramp clasped his hands behind MS
head and gazed rehectivez into the
green leaves above him.
You'd better not let father eaten
you there or--or--"
He had Strengthened up in surprise.
Before hin stood selfconhdent
young woman, with features very Ike
his own. A look of wonder came into
her eyes when she saw his face. and
she hesitated and stopped confusedly.
"You are Mary. are you notE ne
asked, his voice trembling with re-
pressed feeling.
"Yes, and you are-you are
~Win, come home again"
"Oh. VIII! WIFI You've come back
to us again! You don't know how
we've missed you. Will" Needless oL
the dirt, she threw her arms about MS
neck and kissed him.
@Id hesitated, Mary. | didn't know
whether they'd want me now or not
| ssr..1~.1 WIN fffo uovf-n
"In fact" he interrupted, Il wasn't
sure that | was coming at any time.
| got as far as Gienwood. and then
had to walk over here and see II the
old place looked the same. But l
, wasn't going to stop unless"
! UNLESS you were welcome" she
finished. you are, viii. We need
. you here. Father is 80 -ng old, and
mother wants her son. And-and Flor
J ence-she's still Florence. dear"
| He kissed her "And they won't
! mind my clothes7"
l why, Of course not, you foolish
Z boy. Come along. quick! We must
y go and see them"
+ Mary caught his hand and hall
> dragged him to the gate and down
/ the lane.
{ "Oh, how you've changed sh'
i chartered. Il didn't know you at first
!, took pity on you because father ant
! Tow hate tramps SO. Wasn't tha
4 fun ?"
\ "I'm glad that they won't eat thi
q tramp, anyhow But you've changed
e too, Mary. Why. I've always though
!, OF you in braids."
i, She tossed her head. Il took thos
: up the year you went away. You'v
II been gone four years, bad boy"
/, Don't talk about that, Mary, for
I, want to forget 1t If l can You ha
!, better go in and tell mother"
!, Mary ran into the house. and in a
i instant white-haired old lady cam
:, to be caught up in her sons arm
- The prodigal's Homecoming was a
!, that the brightest optimist could haS
a wished. win was home, and aft'
- the first transports we're over, q
- uuiet of absolute content settled dow
u. on the farmhouse. Then he went
his old room, untouched for fo'
years. and shaved and dressed hir
self. When he came down stairs aga
Eid IAtners 6tlil IN ulb nSAu ofNA al
a. was pacing up and down the ROOF
~ The old gentleman's face lighted
- with pleasure when he caught sig
Il of his son.
"a .Wm," he said well forget Il
=. past. was hasty. my son, and "
took after your father. I suppose"
smile fickered about the corners
=. his mouth for an instant 'Yo
~ mother and l got to know Floren
~ better afterward. She's not like 1
-. old man. always disliked Barnes
~ ouarrelsome fellow-licked me VIII
~ boy-don't forget such things. ,
" there, It's all right. You're all dress
@ Sle up H-ml Hope you're not thinking
'Al going over there tonight"
~ why, I'D like to, father, if
eu well, don't know. You'd bet
sol stay at home tonight Barnes'n
" gone tomorrow. Don't like him,
'ns / reckon we1l have to patch It
sometime"
wins face fell. but he was dei
mined not to cross any Of his fathe
whIms, so he turned toward a "
dow without replying. Then Nj
came in.
~ You dear boy" she said, now J
'oS look like my brother Win. Yot
thinking of Florence, I know. 7