The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-03-16

ger softened. Airline had hold Of his
hand now and inststed ON gently but
resolutely bringing him along.
~Therei" she cried triumphantly. a.
she led her guest into the kitchen.
"What do you think Of thatr'
The stranger sank to 4 chair, from
sheer exhaustion, It seemed. He
listened to the gay babble Of the child.
sounding like JOY bells In his willing
ears, bat soul furnishing for kind words
and charity. She poured out 4 steam
ing cup Of coffee. she cut the pie and
loaded his plate and her guest de-
voured the repast with the ardor and
zest Of man truly hungry. Airline
ran out to the shed to get some wood.
When she returned the man sat back
In his chair, his eyes closed, his body
relaxed and limp.
poor mani" whispered Airline to
herself. Il suppose he's just about
all done out. Sh-shj" she spoke sud-
denly, gliding to the door, finger warm
ingly on lip, as her mother appeared.
''Why, Arlinel what is all thisf'
asked her amazed mother, land who Is
this strangerw
Airline recited her story. The moth
er's eyes dwelt fondly upon her as she
recognized the generous instinct of
humanity in that gentle soul. Airline
went up to her guest and pulled his
sleeve. He did not respond. Then
Mrs. Ross, gazing more closely, looked
grave and alarmed.
HE Is unconscious" she uttered.
''He looks ILL.," She felt his hands.
They were very cold. "Arline, run
next door for Doctor Prescott. There
IL something the matter with this
man."
There was, indeed. when he came
the doctor looked grave and puzzled.
They carried the man into the next
room and placed him on the bed.
"He Is very ILL.," announced the doc
tor. "His vitality Is low and he seems
to have a chronic affection Of the
heart. do not think he can live.
You can scarcely afford to care for a
stranger, Mrs. Ross, but 1t would be
unmerciful to turn him adrift. / win
see that you are repaid for the expense
he may be to you"
for him." declared warm-hearted Mrs.
Ross. =
The invalid rallied few hours later.
Slowly he recognized his surroundings
and the incidents leading up to his
present environment. He held little
Arline's hand, his eyes full Of tears,
He tried to express his fervent graft.
tude to- her mother.
"And am so undeserving," he said
and then he started and stared f1xedly
at framed portrait of Edgar Ross
hanging on the wall. "Who-who ID
tlrat7" he asked, almost sharply.
A spasm Of pain of the intensest
emotion crossed his face as in q sub
dued tone. Mrs. Ross told Of theil
misfortune. The patient reused up al
most frantically.
"Send for some one to witness As5
confessIonl" he cried. "Oh, madam
your husband is an innocent man." and
then his story came out. He was q
burglar whose deed had caused the
conviction Of Edgar Ross, and, thai
night long past, seeing the police ap
preaching and knowing he might be
searched, he had slipped his spoils into
the pocket Of the wayfarer he pretend
ed to be helping home.
He had got out Of town at once and
since then had been failing in health
until he had become homeless ant
moneyless.
ut was retribution," he declared
''but now can make atonement."
The contrite man died the next day
but not until he had paved the wa,
through his confession to insure tn,
restoration Of Edgar Ross to his long
ing family.
So, the generous impulse Of brave
little child brought about the rehablli
tation Of the father she loved.