The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-09-08
THE FIRST OFfENsE
BY EDNA MAY BOOTH.

Ola David Strang moved slowl,
back and forth behind the letter boxes
now and again appearing AT the lit
tie window he had just opened. HI
handed out the mail with a. sr1ile tha
sometimes lightened a heavy burden
and sometimes set light heart all
atune. For David Strang took a per
sonal interest in each letter, post card
and paper. Suddenly his brow con
tracted. A shadow OF some deep feel
ing fiuttered across his fact as Carlos
Judd shambled up To the window.
Got anything sides the paper?" the
man asked hopefully.
Silently David Wen to Judds box
and took out paper. A letter slipped
from the folds OF the paper into a
crevice made by jutting drawer. Da,
vid left it where it fell.
Nothing but the paper" he said,
handing It out.
Nothing from John?"
That is all. said David, and there
was no smile lighting his face.
Might a knowed it," growled Judd
Il need little money. / want Jetson
ter make me some iron spokes. | can
make some wheels as good as new.
II | have some new spokes ter put In"
David's eyes narrowed.
"Oh, give It up, Carlos
well. I-guess--not, I'd have the
neatest machine around here II John d
send me some money. He promised
to send me some and he could do 1t as
well as not-yer know he could. But
that's all you get outen children now.
adays.' He turned with an interroga
tive glance toward a man standing
near
Half an hour later David put out
the lights and closed the post office
He shook the door to try the lock
Then his hand sought the inside pock
ct OF his coat. Judd's letter was
there.
Its an offense against the gov
ernment and sin" he muttered. THE
Lord help mel"
When he reached home he Snug
gled the letter into a drawer of the
big dresser and locked the drawer
All night, In his fitful sleep. he
dreamed of 1t, and his waking thought
was OF 1t. In the morning he snug
gled it out OF the drawer to take ii
to the office. and he meant to give II
to Judd.
Again, toward closing time, Judd
came In
ANY mail?"
None tonight" said David.
"Humph,' grunted Judd There's
that auto-mo-beel, there amt any bet |
ter In town, II only had some good, |
strong iron spokes ter put in the
wheels. But laws. yer can't get any
thing In this town less yer plank down
the cash furst thing"
well, I'll tell you,' plunged David
his face white and tense, III tell you
what 1t is, Carlos, automobiles. espe
cially old ones, are too much of lux
ury for poor folks. YoL better sell
the iron In 1t and get yourself some
clothes
Carlos Judd turned wrathful
glance upon the postmaster.
You're the same pesky sort OF a
human being that Lucy Judd Is. She
don't care no more about that auto
mo-beel--not so much as she does for
some little frothy get-up to eat
Old David spoke up bravely
'Lucys never been strong; she
ought to have something to nurture
her"
II guess I'm capable of taking care
Of my own wife," snapped Carlos
Judd.
Il hope so." answered David, and
he knew then that when he went
home Judd's letter would be in his
pocket.
In the morning he brought 1t back
igain. and for week David carried
he letter to the post office in the
morning and at night he took 1t home
And every day Judd came to ask for
he mail. And every day David be.
,ame more harassed and oppressed
Then just at noon one day, when
he post office was deserted save for
David, little woman, poorly clothed
md frail, came through the door
way.
Il guess there amt anything, is
here, David?" she despaired, squint
ng along the line OF boxes.
Yes" emitted David, with dry lips,
there is. I've been waiting a week
or you. It's an offense against the
government. He could put me In :
rison. II you let him see the date
I this letter" q
He never WILL" vowed Lucy Judd &
oftly Her eager eyes were intent a
pom David as he drew from his pock.
the letter
Il knew that the letter was from
ohm, and l knew that there was
Ioney in IT, John ought to send his n
Ioney to you, Lucy" David looked
1t tenderly upon the little woman.
wasn't going to give It TO Carlos
} waste and you suffering for things.
thought you'd never come down and
was afraid to take It TO ayou., So
We lied---lied every daytabout IL To n