The Jasper news., 1919-12-18

money. he ndTuShSu
his soul against yuie'
tide suggestions and tried to glory IN
scouting the huTanizing influence OF
home, social friendship and "the foiiy
called lovel" Then he came 10 a suu'
den halt and sprahg behind a tree
There was light In the room where
he slept. Against the lamp light there
was outlined the figure Of roughly
dressed man standing at an open Du-
reau. Marsh stole to the kitchen'
took down an ancient horse pistoi,
and, gliding to the door of the iighteo
room, burst It In.
what are you doing hereT' ne
shouted out. Hands upT
1t was rather weak than an evil
face thnt confronted him.
IL was looking for something 10
eat" he stammered out.
That's likely outside Of the kltch-
en-, isn't It, nowi" snarled Marsh
derfsively.
"Well then, huding nothing in the
Kitchen 1 hoped could pick up some
little trifie that would bring me a
meal. Say, I'm not q genuine bad
one. l never touched a cent that was
not my own until this very day. And
this has so shamed me, that all ask
is strength to carry back what took" p"
"Yah!" jeered Marsh. "Sort of rob.
hing Peter to pay Paul, hey1 Now
then. I'll run no risks of your turning
on me. Empty your pockets" and the
man dlsgorged o rusted Jnckknife
and something that glowed with the
CLINT of gold.
Back to yonder corner" ordered
Marsh rasplngly. "What's thisf" and
his nimble fingers clutched a locket
and chain the other had placed on the
table. st
at isn't yours nor mine |" burst out
the intruder. "Say. I must take that
back where II belongs. Listen to me.
II was ten miles down the road. In
a wretched little hoyel. In the front
room was q pale. wearied woman at
tending to her sick husband. In a
back room was n little angel Of a girl
child, asleep on a torn thin blanket.
! noticed the chain and iocket around
the ,child's throat I sneaked up and
took It. I've wife and two little
tots In the city; lost my Job and was
tramplng. looking for work. | was
frantic cs thought OF their wretched
Christmas and I hurried away to sell
the trinket and steal a ride home on
the bumpers. Don't shootr. fol
Marsh, opening the locket and scan
ming the portrait within shook from
head to foot. and with ,glarlng eyei
viewed the locket as though It were
some boding wrath.
Ahl how 1t recalled 10 him tht
bright, sunny-faced daughter he hat
shut out from heart and home the day
she eloped with Rodney Blair. HI
had never sought to learn Of her fate
And now the locket she had worn h,
had strangely found, cherished ant
protected by her little child with hii
picture still In It.
"My man." he said, "if you will TAX,
me to where you found the peopl,
you tell of. your dear ones shall hav,
a Christmas, indeed"
"Ir do that for nothing" hal
sobbed the penitent fellow.
Little Cora Blair was sobbing Il
her mothers arms as Adam MnrSl
reached the doorstep of the home o
the unfortunates. He heard her say
"Oh, mamma, can't we search for m
pretty locketi Every night when
say my prayers and ask a blessin
for the dear grandfather / have neve
seen, shall miss seeing his picture.
merry Christmas and--forgivs
nessl" spoke Adam Marsh. pushin
the door open. "Alice, I've come I
make up for my cruelty and neglect.
And when the penltent had faithful
~ returned from the village store
with heapiDg basket full Of Chris
mas cheer and gifts for the littl
one Marsh had ordered. he started 70
the city with n warm. snug roll Q
bank notes In his hand.
"Now for my own home and th
Merry Christmas Of my dear ones
he jubilated. "Oh. TIL never stra
away from the straight path and ther
again" and In wild ecstasy he san
in accord with the Ginning bells
"Peace on earth and good Will I,
.,arda oil mon %