The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER XVI
COPYRIGHT, 1910 BY
TUE PRoDiaAL-

~ was rafting down the noun
tains 1t was early spring
even among the hills. A man
on the train, dividing his attention be-
tween the panorama without and the
fretful child on his knee, 10 his sur
prise discovered In pickering inward
glow feeble response 10 the life with
out. He was going home. with fear
and little hope In his heart, yet be
caught himself counting the mileposts
with growing eageruess as the train
swung around the bills.
1.-THE eternal witchery of spring"
he murmured TO himself. filling our
hearts with life and hope-talse hope
sometimes"
The train stopped. A newsboy came
aboard. crying the evening papers. A
passenger who occupied the seat In
front OF the man with the child bought
one.
IL see Murchell's dying" be remark
ed to his neighbor across the aisle. "A
big loss to this state!'
mot so big as II we didn't have Nc
Adoo." returned the other.
That's true. They're turning their
guns on him already too. Revived
that old nomination story. For my
part ! don't believe IT,"
IL do believe IL. but | don't care. I'd
have done the same under the circum-
stances. lot OF people will care.
though. Funny about US Americans
the occasional slip up of good man
cuts a bigger figure with us than the
continual crimes of really dishonest
one He'll be governor. though"
The train started. and the man with
the child lost the answer He shrank
back In his chair. How can go backf
How can they let me2 . God. keep
my courage aliveF'
When the train stopped he alighted,
quaking inwardly. He took cab.
fearing the curious eyes or the street
car passengers. He need not have
feared The people OF that city had
long since cast him out OF their MEM
cries.
They turned into a familiar, quiet
street. The prodigal's limbs were
shaking so that he could hardly hold
the Gullu. bCuil btuN
Wild thoughts Of leaving the baby on
the doorstep and fleeing rushed
through his brain The cab stopped
The passenger shivering. got out
He walked slowly up the gravel
path leading TO the porch. He could
see into the brightly lighted library
He knew every little detail Of that !
room. He remembered that once I'm
that room he had sworn TO be true
whatever might come.
To the long French window came
woman. her figure silhouetted against
the bright light of the lamps. He
recognized Kathleen. She was looking
out at him.
She opened the door. gazing gravely
at the bearded. sallow faced man who
stared at her strangely.
"Do you wish 10 see Mr. McAdoo1
He's out of the city just now"
Kathleen he cried in strange.
croaking voice. Don't you know
meT'
PAUL. Doubt, amnzement. Joy.
voiced themselves In the word. and
welcome sbone in her eyes as har-
Dor light TO the storm driven seafarer.
81 bring you a responsibility. Kath-
leen" He held out the child.
I'VE welcome responsibilities here"
she answered happily. She held out
her arms for the baby.
walt! She is my sisters child Her
fathers name don't know. She has
no right to be In the world. She is
cursed from her birth. VIII you take
herr"
"Ali the more for that reason"
She took the child from him, cud
ding II close TO her heart
Come In. PAUL. Don't stand therel
Don't you know you have come
homer
he followed her into the library,
The warm. coy room seemed to en-. d
fold him. to welcome him He sank I
into a chair. burying his face in his 1
hands. q
Kathleen. can't help It ! don't c
want to leave-to run away out into O
the loneliness again. Do you think he a
will let me stayP' v
Have you any doubtT' She faced :
him proudly. ''Then you don't know
,ur BobP' 8
lit wasn't easy. Kathleen-I was o
70 ashamed--but it was very lonely" o
but all that is ended. Paul" /,
Sometimes life throws the prodigal h
|, line In paul's case the line was hia \
lister. another astray under the curse {
4 inherited temperament, whom be b
lad found dying and hugging to her
leart child of passion b
''Sbe died But | made those last II
weeks easier for her. | think. That
hould count for something-do you k
link SO. KathleenY' Ia