The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-15
AFTER MANY YEARS
BY INA CHESTER lo"

| friend and more. Fellcid
learned IN love him. Years before He'
father had given the father VI w.
friendly business aid the son hau 'ie'e !. /.
forgotten. When Mr.. Barr iost nio''
of his means. Woods had done 'els
kind act The two Barr boys 'ie
brotbers of Felicia, thrown on theii
! own weak resources. had made pou.
business progress. Woods had pun
up a profitable real estate ana ooilee'
ton business. He took into MS eiN
ploy Ned and Dick Barr
Father and sister did not know no"
heavy a burden Woods had uhoei'
taken to carry. The brothers were
absolute. unreliable. dishonoraple.
Woods shielded their shortcomings
Then came a crash A large amount
of collections had not been PAID 10
creditors. Woods was charged WIN
embezzlement. He could not or wouiu
! 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 anu
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 tha'
Ned had been shot and killed in a
gambling house fracas in mining
camp in the far West. or DICK she
did not hear for six years. Then one
day a 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. It 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 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
ITO find him." was the constant
burden of her thoughts. Il must,
SHALL"
The records did not aid her much
in ascertaining what had become of
Woods.
For over 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
on, | 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.
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 beautiful June mornins
when Felicia started out from the lit
tie town of Rocky Glen to 20 three
miles to where, at the summit of the
great Bald mountain, the townspeople
told her, one Allen Woods had made
,, his home, rcgaining 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 a musician
Everybody loved the kindly. genia
stranger.
Her heart beat wildly as she
reached the uncovered hut which
ne had built for himself. She came
upon him as he stood drinking in tn,
invigorating air. He stood spellboune
as she spoke his name.
i have come to restore to Won III,
money of which my brothers rohbe,
you, she said clearly. Here is a LOT
Ter you must read. Oh, why did yo,
do it," wv
Why.-because of gratitude to ba,
father, because of love for herself,
spare them. and he had hoped the SO
cret was buried forever.
Then; "Forgive!" All, not tina
word! He gloried in his self.sacri
fee!
She turned to 60. He nut opt hi
hands pleadingly.
II this could be home to you" h,
said IF you ever cared for me"
on, always! always" she cried IN
restrainedly, and upon his shou,da
she sobbed out all the pathetic stor,
OF the past wasted years.
1t was June. radiant June. the tim,
ior mating, the month of brides an,
Rocky Glen welcomed m SIC