Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-12-26
On Parole
By Matilda Frances Ffe;Eer
Copyright. 1913. Western Newspaper Union.

you won't do it, Bertha?"
Il must, Aunt Martha. I promised
my father before he died to do all
he had planned out and l shall keep
my pledge. This circumstance of the
paroled convict he forgot to mention
to me, but l must complete the mat
ter"
"But to think Of harboring a GRIM
inal! Why, he may get up in the
night and cut our throats and rob
us!'
81 am sure you are needlessly
alarmed"
Every we'll, Bertha, will not inter-
fere with your duty, but 1 shall be in
mortal dread all the time this James
Lapham is here"
Mr.. Wordell had been a good heart
ed man. His interest in securing the
parole of Lapham at the state peni-
tertiary was along his usual line of
benevolence. A mission worker had
told Mr. Wordell that the fellow de-
served a chance to reform, and Ber-
tha's father had agreed to give him
work and look after him for a year.
Just after her father had died Mr..
Wordell's lawyer wrote to Bertha con-
corning the matter She had at once
authorized the attorney to sign the
necessary papers in her name and send
the man to her home.
One afternoon Bertha and Aunt
Martha were seated on the porch when
a man came up the graveled walk and
lifted his hat politely. Both ladies
arose to their feet, for there was some
thing about the visitor which attract
ed attention and respect.
'I have q card for Miss Worde1l,"
he said, and extended the same. Der
tina looked aStOniShed. The card was
signed by the warden of the peniten-
tiary and certified to the parole Of
James Lapham, convict. The bearers
head was slightly inclined as though
under the sense of humiliation. A
strange wave of emotion swept over
the soul Of Bertha
Tn an unaffected businesSlike way
Bertha accompanied her visitor about
was to be done and named the COM
pensation they were able to pay. When
they again neared the house she re-
gardcd her companion earnestly.
'Mr. Lapham," she said, 81 am in
clined to feel entire confidence in you.
No one outside of my aunt and myself
shall know of the circumstances under
which you become our guest. There
is my fathers room in the house. He
would have trusted you implicitly. L
shall do the same ! will prepare 1t
for you"
James Lapham put up dissenting
hand. 81 thank YOU" he said, "but /
shall get along comfortably in the
barn room, where ] can watch over
things
It was settled. James Lapham took
hold Of his duties with earneStness
and interest. He won upon Bertha
daily and Aunt Martha got to chatting
with him at the table and the occa-
siOnaI half hour he passed eve
nings on the veranda.
One afternoon both the ladies went
away and returned earlier than plan
ned. From the front parlor echoed
forth from the piano q mellow Oper-
attic selection in perfect tune and
harmony. They could make out Lap
ham at the instrument "Why, Mr..
Lapham !" exclaimed Aunt Martha
appearing at the window. eve never
knew you could play"
"Oh, picked up a few odd tunes"
explained Lapham in an embarrassed
way. Music, it seemed, was not his
only accomplishment. Bertha had
spoken of retOuching faded oil por-
trait Of her father Lapham got the
pigments necessary and the restOr-
ed picture showed the master hand Of
q born artist.
Six months passed One day Bertha
glanced over the city paper and she
started and re-read an item, telling
how James Lapham an ex-convict had
received q parole under false pre-
lenses. had been arrested with q band
Of burglars and returned to the peni-
Tertiary. A vivid impulse sent her
into the garden.
"Mr. Lapham," she said, in quite
a 1utter "wiII you tell me what that
means?"
He read the item and then flushed.
He was silent for few moments.
Then he spoke clearly.
at means that am not James Lap
ham. / hope this discovery will make
no difference in my position, for have
been cOntented and happy. | was half
musician, half artist, disappointed In
nv ambitions and not earning much. /
did a trif1ing favor for stranger
the real James Lapham. He told me
his story and said he was going to
South America. | took his card, ]
assumed his place. That's the sim
pie story, Miss Wordell, and | deplore
my deception if l should thereby lose
your esteem"
He had not lost it, for Bereha's heart
was futtering wildly at the thought