, 1903-01-20
The PIOdigaI's Return.
BY II. c. PITZER.


Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Pub. Cc.)
One hot August afternoon a tramp
walked iistlessly down a dusty Iowa
lane. There was nothing about his
clothes nor general demeanor to dis
tinguish him from other tramps, yet
his face seemed prepossessing, and his
forehead was intellectual. Finally he
came within sight of a group OF trees,
whose green freshness spoke eloquent
ly of rest. He increased his pace and
was soon seated on a shaded Dank.
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 his
head and gazed rofiectively into the
green leaves above him.
You'd better not let father catch
you there Or
He had Strengthened up in surprise.
Before him stood a self-conldcnt
young woman, with features very like
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 not?' he
asked, his voice trembling with re-
pressed feeling.
Yes, and you arc-you are
Will, come home again"
"Oh, Will! Will. You've come back
to us again! You don't know how
we've missed you, WIFI" Needless of
the dirt, she threw her arms about his
neck and kissed him.
I'D hesitated, Mary. | didn't know
whether they'd want me now or not"
Indeed. Will, it's YOU"
In fact" he interrupted, Il wasn't
sure that | was coming at any time.
l got as far as Glenwood, and then |
had to walk yer here and see if the
old place looked the same. But |
wasn't going to stop unless
Unless o were welcome" She
finished. You are, Will. We need
you here. Father is growing old. and
mother wants her son. And-and Flor
ence-she's still Florence, dear"
He kissed her. And they won't
mind my clothes?"
why, of course not. you foolish
boy. Come along, quick! We must
go and sec them"
Mary caught his hand and half
dragged him to the gate and down
the lane.
"Oh, how you've changed" she
chartered. 81 didn't know you at first.
l took pity on you because father and
Tow hate tramps so. Wasn't that
fun"
I'm glad that they won't eat this
tramp, anyhow. But you've changed,
too. Mary. Why, I've always thought
Of you in braids."
She tossed her head. 81 took those
up the year you went away. You've
been gone four years, bad boy"
Don't talk about that, Mary, for I
want to forget it if l can. You had
better go in and tell mother"
Mary ran into the house, and in an
instant a white-haired old lady came
to be caught up in her sons arms.
The prodigal's homecoming was all
that the brightest optimist could have
wished. Will was home. and after
the first transports were over, the
quiet of absolute content settled down
on the farmhouse. Then he went to
his old room. untouched for four
years, and shaved and dressed him
self. When he came down stairs again
his father. still in his field overalls,
was pacing up and down the room.
The old g~entleman's face lighted up
with pleasure when he caught sight
Of his son
will" he said, well forget the
past. | was hasty, my son, and you
took after your father. l suppose" A
smile fickered about the corners of
his mouth for an instant. Your
mother and l got to know Florence
better afterward. She's not like the
old mar. l always disliked Barnes
quarrelsome fellow-licked me when
a boy-don't forget such things. But
there, it's all right. You're all dressed
up HIM! Hope you're not thinking of
going over there to-night?"
why, I'D like to, father, if"