The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-01-17
the man aid not smile ana made no e.

the man did not smile ana made no Re.
ply Eddie prattled on: 's
sa Mamma has. the grip, but she's
going to get well. Ethel, that's my
sister she's older than me-is taking
care OF her, 1 had the measles and
my head was burnin' mad. When
nurse was snoring one night thought
IT was bullfrog, and wanted to get
out, of bed and go down to the pond.
l told my papa didn't want to be an
angel; I'd ra'ver be, bullfrog."
The child laughed, but it woke no
echo. The man gazed at the dying
cmbers on the hearth. but there was
no one to interpret the desire to es.
cape from this innocent confidence, in
his expression, or the problems in his
heart.
Meanwhile Mrs. Temple was worry
ing about the strange visitor, having
gathered enough from the maids &C.
count to arouse uneasiness. Her hus
band had just been appointed to a
parish in hitherto unknown locality
where they found quite a number Of
people DESTROYS Of claiming kinship
There We're first, second and third
cousins, colony of Temples, and, of
course. this was one of them. He
ought,to go away, but she must do her
part. She babe the servant take q
tray of refreshments to the study and
bring out Master Eddie,
The man was hungry, but restrained
himself until the maid and child had
disappeared. Then he ate and drank
all that was set before him. With a
weary motion he picked up his hat,
and had got into the hall when the
front door was opened by latch key
and he found himself face to face
with a tall figure-Mr. Temple at
fast!
After a few words the minister led
his strange visitor back to the study.
He turned the key on the inside.
What passed between them no one
knew, unless there were invisible
watchers. An hour went by, darkness
was settling down on the outside
world; there may have been CLEANS of
light within. Mistress and cook fret
ted at the delay of supper, but the
minister had meat to eat that the5.
800 .-2o',' .?t Of"
1t was quite dark when the visitor
was shown out of the house by Mr..
Temple. They parted with a long
hand-clasp. Then the man was alone
on crowded street. He walked on
rapidly, as with purpose, and after
time boarded a street car.
1t was in poor fiat in the lowest
part of the town where he had been
told she lived. When he left the car
he passed along dreary avenue,
through a narrow yard, to the rear Of
an old block. There, peering through
window, he saw her.
Her boy-his boy!-was at her
knee, saying his nightly prayer. Mer-
ciful God! Was he praying for his
absent father, afar off in his misery
and shame-praying that he might be
brought home?
The child was put to bed, the wom-
an resumed her sewing. Was there a
tap on the window?
She was out-out-to where he was
kneeling on the cold earth, clasping
him, drawing him not as shamed
wife, but with all mothers tender
ness and pity. And he? We dare
not analyze strong mans agony.
II believe in God the Father Al.
mighty-now," he said, brokenly.
when he found speech. HE has
spoken to me this day in way l
could not mistake by a good man and
a true woman"
by the way. Edward" Mrs. TEN.
pie said some weeks later, have you
ever seen that strange cousin of
yours since-the one who spent an
afternoon here while was sick?"
Indeed 1 have, more than once
her husband answered. But, my dear,
he is not my cousin"
why, he said he was
II am afraid overlooked the de.
ception which oddly suggested itself
to him. in view of his estimate of me.
His coming here as he did was the
greatest compliment l ever received"
Does he live near?" persisted the
wife.
There was humorous twinkle in
the minister's eye as he answered:
He was just out of the state prison"