The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-12-11

carrying a heavy basket OF groceriesL
Cant help you. Mr. sloeumY" she
asked timidly
mo. thank you. 'Esther-when .
can't carry my own bundles N1l be
time for me to lay down and die" he
said. not unkindly
I'm sorry you are all alone" ven.
tured Esther. feeling very sorry for
the harsh old man who had driven his
son from his door. and whose daughter
had left him TO make home for her.
self
faint any matter!" muttered
Jim, then. with a sudden change OF
tone he added In broken voice; TITS
some matter Esther. Id like to see
my Ed before I die!"
Tears came into Esthers brown
eyes. OF course you would" she said
gently. Have you any idea where he
Is now"
Mo- reckon he's dead" said the
old man dreariiy.
What makes you think that,"
Il amt heard from him for q tong
while Last time there came a letter.
Il was for my wife-he didn't know
she was dead. and Just cut out the
newspaper notice Of her death and
wrapped II around the letter and sent
EN- to the address on the outside OF
the envelope. Some place In Kansas
and I've never heard a word sine
and that seven years ago-but I thinU
he's been here--I think he keeps track
OF US
What makes you think so''
One sunday Emmy and went to
The cemetery to my ~ifes grave and Il
vas covered with beautiful white flow
RS like nothing that grows here
abouts-and ever since then on her
birthday there's always white flowers
on the grave Emmy and don't know.
but We guess Eddie did IL Il hurts
me. Esther. that he's afraid to meet
me face to face" lie sighed heavily
~ he only knew. Mr. slocum. I ain
sure he would come
We cant find him. Esther I cant
remember the name Of that Kansas
town and there came n wedding pres
INT for Emmy-a beautiful set OF
knives and forks. There was no name
attached and the postmark on the boz
Mas blurred We could only guess II
Was from Eddie"
II was after that that Esther Trent
took upon herself n mighty task She
bought postal cards by the dozen and
on each one wrote an appeal to Ed
ward SlOcum TO return To his aged
father. who needed him These she
sent TO many towns and cities In the
state OF Kansas. in the hope that she
might by chance strike upon the place
where I'D Slocum made his home.
These postal cards she carried to the
postofiice in the next village.
Weeks passed and there came no re-
Spouse to Esther's anonymous appeal
There had been one town which bore
her own name. Esther" and she had
cherished nuttering hope that Fate
might decree that there was magic In
the name Of his old sweetheart
No news came from her dear prodi-
gal and at last Esther gave up hope
and turned her attention to making
James Slocum as comfortable as he
would permit her There vas not
much to do. for the old man was
proud. he had plenty OF money to keep
him In comfort
one bitter night when James Slo-
cum. almost helpless from an attack
Of rheumatism. had been compelled to
accept Esther's aid. the Slocum kitch-
IN was aglow with warm light from
the stove. Esther was moving around
bent on household tasks. and MIR Slo
cum. his helpless foot propped on a
chair. was reading by the light Of .
green shaded lamp
The supper dishes were washed.
and Esther had prepared the old mans
bed IN the little room on the kitchen.
She united her apron and reached up
to the hook for her knitted shawl when
there came a knock at the door
Esther answered II to admit q sien-
der. erect man. whose sparkling black
eyes searched her face eagerly and
then darted to the wrinkled face of
the old man.
Father" cried the man. and
went past his old sweetheart and kneil
beside James Slocum.
II was several moments before the
old man could command his voice to
speak
Son" he said. 1T was Esther Trent
who brought you back"
Il know Il. father" said Nd humbly.
But when they looked around Esther
had disappeared.
Never mind. III 20 around after her
In a little while" said Ed. There are
a few things that must be discussed
irst--and ! want your blessing. faith
err"
Esther was putting out the light
when there came q ring at her door
bell Trembling In every limb she
turned up the wick OF the parior lamp
and went to the front door
ed Slocum stood there. his keen.
eager face upturned TO hers May
come in. Estherf" he asked.
Esther smiled tremulously. What
could she say to him after all these
years Of waiting?
Within the little parlor. familiar be-