The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1915-03-12

was all Luke Barrett said Ransom
drove of. His wife timorously waited
IN the unexpected, almost unwelcome
guest. There was something in the
forlorn condition of the man, however,
in the ravenous way in which he de-
voured the food she set before him
that excited her pity.
Bless YOU" said Luke Barrett
brokenly. as he completed the meal.
Then he appeared like a being re-
juyenated after a bath and arrayed in
a clean suit of clothes.
81 want to do something for you,
Mrs. Farwell," he said humbly.
If you have not lost your vote
by being away she began.
81 have not, unless you people have
made a criminal charge against me-
said Luke.
That we have not done" assured
Mrs. Farwell. Your vote will help my
husband"
Then | will go to the polling place
at once" said Luke.
He came back in about an hour.
Then he set at work cutting some
wood aud cleaning up the yard. The
feelings of Mrs. Farwell began to
soften towards him. He seemed con-
trite and anxious to make amends for
his past misdeeds. At noon she got
him a lunch and he pottered arounu
at various odd jobs until shutdown,
Il have a little business with your
husband, Mrs. Farwell,' said Luke,
and I'll wait till he comes home, if
you don't object"
Not at all" replied Lucy brightly.
but Ransom probably will not be
home very early, so we will have our
supper now"
Lucy could not eat, she was so anx-
ious to learn the result of the cleo
ton. She sprang up from the table,
all excitement and suspense, as there
was a clatter of horses hoofs in the
yard outside. She rushed to the door.
A CHEEKY whistle rang out.
"Oh, that means good news!" she
cried hopefully.
Who got it," palpitated the eager
Lucy,
81 am elected" announced her hus-
band proudly.
"Oh, am so glad!'
by n majority"
by one majority" repeated Lucy.
Eyes. a narrow shave for me, but
I'm in safe and sound"
He advanced to the table and
brought his hand down with a resound-
ing slap on Luke Barrett's shoulder.
And here, Lucy" cried Ransom,
lis the vote that carried the day for
me-
"Oh, it cant be true!" cried Luke,
tears of joy rising to his eyes,
1T is, old fellow declared Ransom
heartily. "Shake!" you've squared all
the past, forgotten and forgiven, Luke
Barrett, this glorious day."
Not quite" dissented Luke, draw
ing something from his pocket "Tha0
is yours
In amazement Ransom and Lucy
stared at a little pocket book. 1t wa!
covered with dust. Its edges were
widowed. Its covers were rat-nib
bled.
why" exclaimed Ransom, inspect
ing its contents, the whole eigh'
hundred dollars is here! You didn'
spend any of it,"
Il never took it away with me,
said Luke, Il was dulled with drink
when l broke into your house ant
stole the money. In my dazed condl
ton | must have gone up into the barr
loft. | went to sleep. In the night
wandered off. The next morning tel
miles from here, l missed the money
and fancied l had lost it along tn,
road. | was ashamed to come back
and I've led a life Of worry and star
walton. Yesterday, in the city, FUN
bling in a fob pocket, hoping to fine
a stray dime to get a bite to eat,
fshed out a pinch of hay seed. II
a fash l seemed to vaguely recall
that night in the loft l had put tn,
money under my head, thinking /
was a pillow. l came back this morn
ing and found it. l was desperate ant
had about decided to make of will
it, when your kindness-the kindness
of your dear wife broke me all up
and I'm a changed man."
Luke Barrett" spoke Ransom Far
well, grasping the hand Of his wei
come guest, there's an application
for an assistant in the position l hav.
been elected to, / have faith in you
and you are appointed Let the tire
of us start out in this new hopeful
life-together!"
Copyright, 1914. by W. G. Chapman.)