The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-24


We'll, sir, like me. he was brought
up in rich home, and we were both
MASTERS in our youth. | couldn't turn
my hand to anything, and he's the
same. / 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't
hold down watchman's job. Here
take yourself OF and take the child
with you'll"
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 IL
he had dealt hardly with the boy2
He cursed himself for q sentiment
talist. Why should these thoughts
come to him now? And yet-well. he
might give Kimbsll another chance.
He might do that. He would give
him that vacancy in the clerical de-
partment. And the grill It was odd
how she reminded him of Minnie. His
daughter had looked just like that
when she was a 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!
"old 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 watchman's ad
dress.
He, "Old Crouch" was going to tel
the man that he could come to work al
eight, as usual. Poor devil of 6
Waterman! He was not SO much t
blame, If his story was true!
The address was poor street of
Third avenue. Randall gazed around
him in disgust as he passed through
the slum. A drunken man was cling
ing to post. Two shrews were scold
ing each other from different door
ways. What place in which to brint
up child! Suppose 1t had beef
Minnie!
At few minutes after seven h,
stood before door In q tenemen
building. He rang, and tired-lookini
woman opened to him. The woman
was Enthusiastically the mother of tn,
girl. And, weary as she was, ant
poorly dressed, she was unmistakabl.
q lady.
Good evening, Mrs. Kimball." sal,
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
"Pm- I'm not Mrs. Kimball," sh
stammered, and ran back into tn
apartment. Randall heard her sob
bling as she ran.
Then he was aware of a tiny fgur,
at his side, and the little girl wal
looking up into his face.
"Old Grouch!" she lisped. "Olt
Crouch. come and see papal"
!, 1t was strange that the child's toucl
turned his will to water. Randall
suffered her to lead him by the hand
He went into dark passage ant
halted at the door of tiny room. 1
was almost dark inside, but he heart
the woman sobbing at the side of the
man who lay there. She rose anC
turned and faced him.
Il am your sons wife," she said with
simple dignity.
And in the dark Randall, incredu
lous, saw the figure upon the bed.
i guess 1t was a mistake" the won
an continued. This is my little girl
and Mr.. Kimball has been taking hel
to the office nights while my husband
was Ill. You didn't know, and-there
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-fiushed
face Of his own son, whom he had
thought gone forever. And then the
mans will broke. "Old Crouch
kneeled down at his side.
"Horacel" he whispered, taking his
hand in his. Horace, you will come
home! have come to take you
home-you and your wife, and-and
Leonora. l have wanted you-heaven
knows how much" he continued.
only l didn't know it."
The woman turned away her face.
mot now" she answered. I'VE do
not want your forgiveness after these
years"
Randall looked at his son. "Hor-
ace?" he asked.
But the sick man turned his face
away and answered nothing. And
then Randall felt little hand slipped
into his own.
"rll go with you, Old Grouch!" said
Leonora.
And suddenly the waters of pity
gushed from the mans eyes. God
forgive mel" he cried, catching her to
his breast.
In a trice the mother was sobbing
in his arms. And the three, by the
sico mans bed. the son and father
clasping each others hands, was the
sight that met Kimballs eyes as he
entered.
"Old Crouch" broke the silence.
Get to your Job, Kimball!" he bel
lowed. Tomorrow I'll have some
thing to say to you. Get to work now,
! ar I1I-Ill DISCHARGE Ynuln