Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-02
THE RETURN

By ALICE X. BOYD.

AS The visitor came up the grave
path the man seated ON the porch CAV
great start and uttered sharp gasr
The woman By his side stared. scOwled
arose to her feet with precipiiancy AM
Haunted through the open door wit
the words spoken almost virulcntly:
''The bad penny has returned; tina
man cannot come Into my hOusew
Tho person she referred TO had y
one arm. The clothes he woe yer,
faded, ragged and OF coarse fabric
He was unshaven.
"Well. my beloved and respectabl,
brother" he halted Joe Wharton. "I'u
back. Missed met Thanks, won
come In. as | Glanced to overhear IN,
Kind and loving suggestion Of your
high and mighty helpmeet."
Thus came Jim Wharton. and he
smiled satirically rs the other grusped
his hand Imply.
"weil. Jim. don't want to appear
too blunt, but don't fancy your fam
lily would care much to have you hang
ing around. They are all working
hard: circumstances have forced them
down 10 system. reckon they've
pretty nigh forgotten you"
Jim Wharton looked grave at this
and his lips twitched. A certain stern
ness caine into his face as he said:
-And guess you'd be glad. too.
won't trouble you again"
Two hours later Jim Wharton stood
at the gate Of the home that he had
deserted. He carried his battered old
suitcase up To the porch, set IL down
near the open front door and peered
beyond II. Seated In n room into which
he could look Jim noticed that chair
was occupied by a woman. who sat
rocking softly TO and fro as though
thinking or resting.
It's make or break" he muttered
deep down In his throat Nary"
He had crossed the hall and entered
the apartment beyond nolselessly. He
stood directly before the woman whose
name he Had spoken. Inwardly every
pulse was throbbing; his face was elo-
quent with hope. with doubt, at that
vast critical moment Of his life.
Mary Wharton opened her eyes She
did not start or cry out. A strangely
sad and weird smile crossed her face,
furrowed. mournful but Infinitely
sweet and gentle In its every lineament.
MY dream-always OF himw she
murmured. and brushed her dazed eyes
with her hand. fancying this real pres
ence the shadow Of a vision.
"Naryl" he repeated. and his voice
was husky and tremulous
Then arose 10 those faded eyes, long
vearied with ceaseless waiting and
watching. q glow that sent a thrill
through the frame OF Jim Wharton.
She realized his presence now. She
arose to her feet. She noted his arm
hess sleeve. his poor attire. and the
eager soul expressing Itself In glance
and features
"0h. my poor, dear Jim - she uttered
waveringly. and then her arms were
about his neck and his bronzed cheek
covered with warm. welcome kisses.
She was crying with JOY, she would
not release him, and the strong man
was not ashamed TO mingle his tears
with her own.
"A bad penny come back, brother
Joe's wife puts IT," observed Jim, as
the excitement Of the welcome some
what subdued, the old vein Of humor
and rnlllery in his nature came TO the
surface. "What do you say, Mary?"
1T shall be the prodigal returned,
and Welcome and cherished" she said
feelingly. and when she went out into
the kitchen TO prepare the evening
meal he followed her. as In the old
days, a glow Of peace and comfort
coming into his rugged face.
~ suppose Chester is quite n man.
and Nellie"-hls face fell. "They
must think OF me as poor specimen
OF a father" he added In depressed
tone.
such a thought has never been ex-
pressed by Them" spoke Mrs. Wharton.
II hear someone at the gate. Jim. II
ls the children. Let me prepare them |
for the greatest surprise of their
lives"
The strong man stood shaken as a !
reed by the wind. Then he heard a
glad cry. and rushing feet toward the
kitchen.
Father" shouted his son, grasplng
his hand. and his bright face was
afiame with affection and delight
"Oh. papa don't you know your own,
own Nelllef" and his beautiful daugh-
Ter had her arms about his neck and
hung there. raining kisses on his
bronEed face.
.It-lt Is too muchi" uttered Jim
Wharton brokenly. II thought you
had all forgotten me, but II Chester
will carry my suitcase TO room.
have a few toys In II that will improve
my appearance somewhat"
The three Of them stared In marvel
ing wonder as Jim put In a new APP
pesrance Just as supper was ready.
N. .-.s ahavan ha W0rp n neat almost