The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1916-06-23

ago that false husband and fathe
basely deserted us. Now he wishes
to take the n person l love away
from mel"
Old Bartlett could not determine
the merits of the case, but he was
true to Mrs. Rawson. She did not go
into the details of her separation from
her husband, but he believed she
would always be in the right.
Il noticed a man waiting outside
while the lawyer was here" continued
Mrs. Rawson. THAT was this morn.
ing. Ever since, at intervals, this sec
ond man has lurked about the neigh
borhood. Don't you see?" cried the
agitated woman-"they are going to
kidnap Benny! Perhaps the lawyer is
arranging some legal trick, while his
accomplice watches this house to see
that l do not escape their clutches
with Benny. So you must take Ben
ny away" declared the anxious moth
er. You must hide him until l find
out how far these wicked schemers
will 60"
why, / can do that" replied old
Bartlett. Benny likes me and will
stay with me There is my old hut.
It is isolated, no one ever comes near
1t. Dear lady, leave it all to mel
will carry Benny away in my bag"
This was done. If any one was
watching, they never dreamed that
within the accustomed bag, snug and
quiet as a mouse, Benny reposed. The
novelty of the quaint home Of the
bagman prevented Benny from becom-
ing lonely. The plan worked admir-
ably, and old Bartlett was delighted
to be able to circumvent the designs
of wicked plotters against the dear
lady whom he so respected. That very
evening the bagman CHANGED to be
passing a clump of trees near the
Rawson home. He became an caves
dropper to the conversation Of the
lawyer and his assistant.
1t opened his eyes to a wonderful
truth. 1t changed the entire complex
ion of the case. Nightly stirred up,
old Bartlett decided to act on his own
initiative. He FASTENED to his lonely
hut. He took Benny a new journey
not in the bag this time. He returned
to the town the next morning-alone.
Benny" spoke Mrs. Rawson anx-
as Bartlett appeared at her
home.
HE is with his father-I took him
there and you are to Join both Of
them right away" was the amazing
reply of the bagman. Don't get star
tied now" he urged s~oothingly, "ev-
erything is all right. Only listen, and
then be thankful, for all your troubles
are over"
And then humble, loyal old Bartlett
recited a marvellous story. The over
heard conversation Of the two strang.
ers had enlightened him. Allan Raw
son did not wish to take little Benny
away from his mother-only to e
him. He dared not hope that his wife
might come too, yet her place was by
his side.
That is, if she could forgive, He
had not deserted her. Travelling out
West on business bent, he had become
involved with some swindling scoun-
drels, who left him to bear the brunt
a prison sentence for their own
crimes. He was ashamed to inform
wife that the stain of a convict
was upon him. He was helpless for
years to contribute to her sup
port.
Now a relative had left him a for
tune and he had sought her out. He
had been very i'll, but the sight Of lit.
tie Benny had brought new hope and
health. And she, his wife, always
Ioved-old Bartlett's eyes regarded
her pleadingly.
Il will 90 to him." spoke Edna Raw
son, with shining eyes.
Copyright, 1916, by W. G. Chapman)