The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-07-24
AFTER MANY YEARS
BY INA CHESTER LOWE.

friendly business aid the son had never
forgotten. When Mr.. Barr lost mos
Of his means, Woods had done 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 profitable real estate and collec-
tion business. He took into his EN-
ploy Ned and Dick Barr.
Father and sister did not know how
heavy a burden Woods had under
taken TO carry. The brothers were
dissolute, unreliable, dishonorable.
Woods shielded their shortcomings.
Then came crash. A large amount
Of collections had not been paid to
creditors. Woods We. charged with
embezzlement. He could not or would
not explain where the money had
gone. He was arrested, tried and SEN
fenced
There came a 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 grief
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 child, girl.
Dying. Dick Barr, then a 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 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 quiet, patient
future. 1t was rl1lely broken In upon.
II was when ste 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, grave determination in her
face, she started forth on the mission
of her life. She made arrangements
for the care of little Alice Then Fe-
licia went to the penitentiary where
Woods had served his long term Of
Imprisonment
"To find himl" was the constant
burden of her thoughts. Il must, ]
shalt"
The records did not aid her much
in ascertaining what had become OF
Woods.
For over a month Felicia pursued
the dim trail Of the vanished man
She consulted lawyers and detectives.
she advertised. Her heart took hope,
as a special agent she had employed
brought her the first glimmer of a
clew.
Il think we have found your man,
Miss Barr" he said.
"Oh, am SO gladl" murmured ,Fe-
licia, clasping her hands in grateful
hope.
This Allen Woods seems to have
broken down In health after leaving
the penitentiary," narrated the agent,
'the result OF his long confinement. ]
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 Wocds had made
hfs home. regaining health under the
influences of that high altitude. He
was working little gold prospect,
placer proposition, from which ha
made a fair living.
Often, they said. he came to the
settlement to take part in simple
neighborhood entertainments, for he
was an elocutionist and a 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 ip the
invigorating 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
cret was buried forever.
Then: "Forgive!' All. not that
word! He gloried in his self-sacri'
feel
She turned to go. He put out his
hands pleadingly.
IF this could be home to YOU he
said. III you ever cared for me-
"Oh. alwaysl always" she cried un-
-.-.-.s..o1f., onA vnox, hiu chouldpr