Gilpin observer., 1915-07-08
AFTER MANY YEARS
BY INA CHESTER LOWE.


Allen Woods had been cherished
friend, and more, Felicia Barr had
learned to love him. Years before her
father had given the father of Woods
friendly business aid the son had never
forgotten. When Mr.. Barr lost most
of his means, Woods had done a very
kind act. The two Barr boys, the
brothers of Felicia, thrown on their
own weak resources, had made poor
business progress. Woods had built
up a profitable real estate and collec-
ton business. He took into his en-
ploy Ned and Dick Barr.
Father and sister did not know how
heavy Il burden Woods had under
taken 20 carry The brothers were
dissolute, unreliable, dishonorable.
Woods shielded their shortcomings.
Then came a crash. A large amount
of collections had not been paid to
creditors. Woods was charged with
embezzlement. He could not or would
not explain where the money had
gone. He was arrested, tried and SEN
fenced
There came dark period of gloom
for Felicia. She missed the company
of the man she had loved. Often and
often the impulse was strong within
her soul to send some word of pity
even of love to the lonely convict.
but she was overwhelmed with grieI
when her father died.
The year following news came that
Ned had been shot and killed in a
gambling house fracas in a mining
camp in the far West OF Dick she
did not hear for six years. Then one
day stranger visited her. He was
from South America. He brought a
tiny tot OF a child, girl
Dying. Dick Barr, then widower,
had entrusted this friend with some
small means and the little orphan, to
be conveyed to the sister he had not
seen for over half a decade.
Mr.. Barr had left very little when
he died and Felicia had supported her
self by giving music lessons. Now a
change would come. What her broth
er had sent her would comfortably
support herself and her little charge,
Felicia planned out a quiet, patient
future. 1t was rudely broken in upon.
1t was when she came to read the
closely sealed letter her brother Dick
had sent her, that she was aroused
vitality, as one from lethargy. Her
eyes. flashed, her cheeks were dyed
with shame. She bowed her head
and wept bitterly.
Then, a grave determination in her
face, she started forth or the mission
of her life. She made arrangements
for the care of little Alice Then Fe-
licia went to the peniteutiary where
Woods had served his long term OF
Imprisonment.
ITO find him," was the constan-
burden of her thoughts. Il must, !
SHALL"
The records did not aid her much
in ascertaining what had become OF
Woods.
For OYER month Felicia pursued
the dim trail of the vanished man
She consulted lawyers and detectives,
she advertised. Her heart took hope,
as special agent she had employed
clew.
Il think we have found your man,
Miss Barr" he said.
oh, am so glad." murmured Fe-
licia. clasping her hands in grateful
hope
This Allen Woods seems to have
broken down in health after leaving
the penitentlary," narrated the agent,
the result of his long confinement. i
have learned this much-that he went
to Colorado. He was at place
called Rocky Glen. He may not be
there now, but he was six months
ago."
1t was a beautiful June morning
when Felicia started out from the lit
tie town of Rocky Glen to go three
miles to where, at the summit of the
great Bald mountain, the townspeople
told her, one Allen Woods had made
his home, regaining health under the
influences of that high altitude. He
was working little gold prospect, a
placer proposition, from which he
made fair living.
Often, they said. he came to the
settlement to take part in simple
neighborhood entertainments, for he
was an elocutionist and musician.
Everybody loved the kindly, genial
stranger
Her heart beat wildly as she
reached the vine-covered hut which
he had built for himself. She came
upon him as he stood drinking in the
inyigorating air. He stood spellbound
as she spoke his name.
81 have come to restore to you the
money OF which my brothers robbed
YOU" she said clearly. Here is let
ter you must read. Oh! why did you
do it?"
Why.-because of gratitude to her
father, because of love for herself-to
spare them, and he had hoped the Sc