The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-22

asked Randall; and yet he could mol
imagine why he was interested.
well, sir, like me, he was brought
up In rich home, and we were Dotn
MASTERS in our youth. | couldn't turn
my hand to anything, and he's the
same. l guess we're both sorry now
He was Waterman with Wiley COM
pany till it dissolved"
Yes, | know" Randall sneered.
Both born to better things and can
hold down a watchman's job Here
take yourself off and take the child
with you."
They went away, the little girl shak'
ing her hand at him and laughing
Randall, when they were gone, sat at
his desk thinking. His life was pass
ing in review before him, the empty
years, the thankless years. What II
he had dealt hardly with the boy?
He cursed himself for sentimen-
talist. Why should these thoughts
come to him now? And yet-well, he
might give Kimball another chance.
He might do that. He would give
him that vacancy in the clerical de-
partment. And the girl! 1t was odd
how she reminded him of Minnie. His
daughter had looked just like that
when she was child.
He rose and went home, frowning
and anyone who had met him on the
road would have thought he was the
surliest looking man that he had en-
countered in many a day But once
in his room the old man paced the
floor, shaking his head and conscious
of the same sense of uselessness.
He could not sleep. The child was
before his eyes all night. Minnie!
odd Crouch" was at his worst next
day. He refused three applications
for increase of salary, scolded the de-
partment managers roundly, and made
himself even more feared than usual.
But at night, when the force had gone,
he crept quietly out of the Office, after
ascertaining the night watchmans ad-
dress.
He, "Old Crouch" was going to tell
the man that he could come to work at
eight, as usual. Poor devil of
watchman He was not so much to
blame, if his story was true!
The address was poor street off
Third avenue. Randall gazed around
him in disgust as he passed through
the slum. A drunken man was cling
NJ 70 n ,lx
ing each other from different door.
ways What place in which to bring
up a child! Suppose it had been
Minnie!
At few minutes after seven he
stood before a door in a tenement
building. He rang, and tired-looking
woman opened to him. The woman
was Enthusiastically the mother of the
girl. And, weary as she was, and
poorly dressed, she was Enthusiastically
a lady.
Good evening, Mrs. Kimball," said
Randall roughly. I'm Mr.. Randall,
and I've called to say that your hus.
band can have his job back"
The woman stared at him in terror.
TIM I'm not Mrs. Kimball." she
stammered. and ran back into the
apartment. Randall heard her sob
bling as she ran.
Then he was aware of tiny figure
at his side, and the little girl was
looking up into his face
odd Crouch" she lisped. "Old
Crouch, come and see papa"
1t was strange that the childs touch
turned his will to water. Randall
suffered her to lead him by the hand
He went into dark passage and
halted at the door of tiny room. II
was almost dark inside, but he heard
the woman sobbing at the side of the
man who lay there. She rose and
turned and faced him.
Il am your sons wife," she said with
simple dignity.
ana IN the dark Randall. incredu.
ious, saw the figure upon the bed,
guess it was a mistake" the WON.
an continued. This is nv little gir,
and Mr.. Kimball has been taking her
10 the office nights while my husband
was i'll. You didn't know, and-thera
Is no need to stay, Mr. Randall"
Randall struck match with trem.
bling fingers and looked at the man
on the bed. He saw the fever.fusbed
race OF his own son, whom he had
thought gone forever. And then the
mans will broke. "Old Groucb"
kneeled down at his side
Horace." he whispered, taking bis
hand IN his. Horace. you will come
nome. have come to take Won
home-you and your wife, and-and
Leonora. | have wanted you-heaven
knows how much" he continued
Only | didn't know it.
Inc woman turned away her face
Not now" she answered "Wa a.
not want your forgiveness after those
years" ''-e'e
Randall looked at his son .uor
ace?" he asked. oi
But the sick man turned his faca
away and answered nothing And
then Randall felt little hand slinnod
into his own.
I'll go with you, Old Crouch. said
Leonora. S'''u
And suddenly the waters of pitv
gushed from the mans eyes God
forgive me- he cried, catching her 10
his breast "
In trice the mother was sobbinr
IN his arms. And the three. by the
SICK mans bed. the son and father
ciasping each others hands. was the.
sight that met KimbalIs eyes as no
entered. ne
.nla c,.,.,-.,