The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-03

Cant l help you, MT. SlOcum! sne
asked timidly.
mo, thank you, Esther-when !
can't carry my own bundles it'll 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 a home for her
eelf.
"'Tain't any matter!" muttered
jim; then. with a sudden change OF
tone he added in broken voice: "Tis
some matter-Esther. I'd like to see
my Ed before | die!"
Tears came into Esthers brown
eyes. "Of course you would" she said
gently. Have you any idea where he
b now?"
"No-I reckon he's dead" said the
old man drearily.
What makes you think that?"
81 amt heard from him for long
while. Last time there came letter,
it was for my wife-he didn't know
she was dead, and | just cut out the
newspaper notice of her death and
wrapped it around the letter and sent
EN- to the address on the outside of
the envelope. Some place in Kansas
and I've never heard word since,
and that seven years ago-but | think
he's been here-I think he keeps track
of u.s."
What makes you think SOP"
"One Sunday Emmy and l went to
the cemetery to my wife's grave and 1t
was covered with beautiful white flow
ers-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 it. 1t hurts
me, Esther. that he's afraid to meet
me face to face" He sighed heavily.
IF he only knew, Mr.. Slocum. am
sure he would come"
I'VE can't find him, Esther. can't
remember the name Of that Kansas
town and there came wedding pres
ent for Emmy-a beautiful set OF
knives and forks. There was no name
attached and the postmark on the box
was blurred. We could only guess 1t
was from Eddie"
1t was after that that Esther Trent
took upon herself 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 Ed Slocum made his home.
These postal cards she carried to the
postoffice 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 fluttering 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 was 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.
on was aglow with warm light from
the stove. Esther was moving around
bent on household tasks. and Mr.. Slo.
cum, his helpless foot propped on a
chair, was reading by the light of a
green shaded lamp.
The supper dishes were washed,
and Esther had prepared the old mans
bed In the little room off the kitchen.
She united her apron and reached up
to the hook for her knitted shawl when
there came knock at the door.
Esther answered 1t to admit a slen.
der, erect man, whose sparkling black
eyes searched her face eagerly and
then darted to the wrinklsd face of
the old man.
Father" cried the man, and he
went past his old sweetheart and knelt
beside James Slocum.
1t was several moments before the
old man could command his voice to
speak
Son." he said. st was Esther Trent
who brought you back"
Il know it, father said Ed humbly.
But when they looked around Esther
had disappeared.
Never mind. I'll go around after her
in little WHILE" said Ed There are
few things that must be discussed
first-and want your blessing, faith.
e."
Esther was putting out the light
when there came a ring at her door
bell. Trembling in every limb she
turned up the wick of the parlor lamp
and went to the front door.
Ed Slocum stood there, his keen,
eager face upturned to hers. May I
come in, Esther?" he asked