The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-11
THE RECOVERY. A Story of Kentucky
 Copyright, 1908, by JOSEPH A. ALTSHEIER Entered at Statoners' Hall
 All rights reserved


 Sit down. I said. "We meet agair strangely when we think how we first met.''
 You've become a great man," he said
 "No you are the great man. I only have a great place. while you arc great without the place.
 He sat down before the fire whicE | was burning brightly, and gaZed at me much as a father looks at his son after long absence. But his face never fol an instant lost it's look of rapt, spirit ual exaltation. Involuntarily I thought of Alicia, and at that moment I saw a singular likeness between the two the likeness of the spirit. Alicia, as l last saw her, and Elias as I now saw him, looked over and beyond earthly and temporal things. EacE had put on an armor that no weapon or ill could pierce. I confess that as l sat there and as he gaZed at me 8 certain awe of this man who was SC much better than I crept into my mind. In the Middle Ages many a rough knight must have had his feel ing when he fell on his knees and con fessed before a great priest, a holy man in all truth.
 premontion of a great change to come. His eyes searched me- through | and in the firelight. which was the 1 only light in the f1relight grew.
 Charlie he said, "I'n keep your secret, if you want me to do it.'' 1 "Only one other knows it.'' "A woman. Who could keep such a secret, but preacher and a woman ?'' l I said nothing. I looked with troubled eyes at Elias, then at the fire, and then at the mountains beyond the valleys rim, where the growing moonlight bathed every peak and ridge in a silver glory. His few and in me, had made a new call to con- science.
 Charlie, I'll keep your secret, if you want me to do it," he repeated in the selfsame words.
 I turned my eyes back, until they met his, where they were held. | Do you think I should tell?'' I ask | ed
 'It is not for ne to say" he re- piled
 1 I repeat that I am of the earth; earthly, as has been well said, an ex- pression that appeals to me. I like | the good things of the world and it's glories, and more than the shadow ot them I had now within my grasp. could not let them go. Have you been happy? Have you lived it down?" I asked with all the | passionate emphasis of one who wishes ! to be let alone.
 I have never seen another mans face illumined as his was when I ask i ed the question.
 "Yes, Charlie,'' he replied. "I am happy and I have lived it down. have lived it down for myself. What does it matter about the others? :? Nothing that any one may say can | hurt me now"
 knew that he told the truth, I had known it even before I asked the ques- | tion, but I wanted the answer from i taineer and I was not; it was the mountains that judged him, while I had to face a far more critical audi ence.
 "The load will get heavier and heav- fer all the time." he said. 1 Again he spoke the truth and knew | it. There were periods, sometimes i long ones, when I forgot my own se- cret, but when the actual painful 1 knowledge of it returned it always came with greater weight. I could not forget the look on the face of liar | risor, nor that on the face of Connor l either. 'Im your friend, Charlie" said Elias, "I'm glad to see you Governor of the State, and I'm proud too. It's one thing that I've come here tonight to say, and to say to you alone" Then he relapsed into silence and the two of us gazed into the fire, where walls and turrets were forming among the glowing coals All around us was silence. We heard no one stirring in the house below, and off on the slope the tired troops were already sleep ing.
 Io r;r o,1s said Elias at last.
 "If only knew what's right" I said. eff we wait and truly want it. the way is pointed out to us,'' he said.
 We relapsed into another silence, which I was the one finally to break You'll help me all you can with the settlement of this feud, won't you Elias?" I asked.
 With all my heart and sou1,' he re- piled with fervor.
 Then I told him of a plan which ap- pealed to him strongly. He was to be a central figure in it, and I saw his face illumined with zeal for his task. When he rose to go and took my hand in his strong clasp he said:
 God will show you the way, Char lie"
 It was said simply and I knew that it came from the bottom of his heart. When he was gone. I sat long in trou- hled thought. Would it be better to tel, everythin? I the disclosure brought disgrace with it, it would al- so bring peace. l was not afraid-I think I can truly make the claim-but a weight that is carried long grows heavier every day.
 arose early the next morning and as soon as I could leave my post went to the camp, where I found all things trim and ready. Harrison was one of the most active officers-it seemed to mo that he would have made a good soldier-and after my inspection, he approached me and began a conversa- tion, at first about camp subjects, but he said presently:
 '"This minister, MT. Peabody, is like ly to be of great help, don't you think?''
 ''Yes,'' replied. understanding where he meant to take the talk. but hard ened at that moment into indiffer- ence.
 He seemed to recognize you yester- day." he said in soft, insinuating tone.
 "He did We have met before," I replied shortly.
 "An old friendship, I suppose? noticed that he called you by a given name. I did not know that your mid dle name was Charles
 This was too much; it more tk an bordered on ihsolence and I said shasp-