Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1919-07-24
His
Redemption
Dy cENEVlEVE ULMAR
IooDJrlsht. 1919. b. western Newspaper Union

~ must have done 1.-THE witness
probably speaks the truth. Perhaps
II would be best 10 shut me up away
from the world for a time. will
take my punishment Ike a man.
And like man Blake Arnold faced
Judge and jury, nor defiant, nor re.
sentful, nor glundlloqucnt, but with
contrltion, shame and submission IN
his face. There was little doubt that
while under the influence of strong
drink and lured on by speclous tempt
ers he had forged a check upon his
former employers to pay off gam
bling debt.
"Five years in the state penltentiary
at hard labor" was the sentence. and
the prisoner simply bowed his head
and did not lift II as he was led away,
Then it was to sweep the courtroom
with one swift, probing glance. His
face fell. If he hoped to find
friendly or familiar face there he was
doomed to disappointment
Wild, reckless spendthrft that he
was, he had reached the end of his
rope. A year previous, urged on by
his riotous acts, his father, man Of
wealth, had turned him out Of his
home and disowned him. Six months
later the parents of his fiancee, sOr-
rowful, but loyal Lettie Vivian, had
told him that she had been sent away
to distant friends where he could not
ind her and that all was over between
them.
More latterly Lettie had accepted
the decision of father and betrothed.
He had plunged into new recklessneSs.
They were doubtless aware of his
predicament, but no one had extend
ed a helping hand. AS common
criminal, Blake Arnold was shut out
from the world as branded man, and
Stolidly, doggedly accepted the dull,
Irksome routine Of prison life.
And all the time poor, pining Let
tie passed her days in vain longing
for a sight of the only man she had
ever loved and her nights were tear
ful ones. She could not forget, and
she told her parents so. Practically
exiled with an aged aunt, she faith
fully kept her promise not to write to
Blake, and when his final downfall
was announced In the public prints
her aunt found her staring at the
dread intelligence On dazed, stony
way as If final blow had Frustrated
her.
MY poor, suffering dove!" sobbed
the gentle-Spirited woman. do net
become utterly heartbroken."
mo-" answered Lettie quietly, 81
shall only wait"
''You will waltz" repeated her aunt
vaguely.
"For his release and his redemp-
ton. Both will come In time. His
love for me can never die. 1t will
purify and save him. We shall meet
again-sometime, somewhere"
Two years had passed by when the
United States entered the war. Let
tie found some relief from her an
Guish by contributing her services to
Red Cross home work. 1t was late In
the year when her aunt, opening a
morning newspaper, stared, paled,
and Fastening furtively into another
room, thrust the newspaper into q
blazing crate. She had read in the
journal of the escape from prison Of
Blake Arnold, an honor convict, whose
good conduct entitled him to 4 remis-
sion Of his sentence and whose case
had been favOrably regarded by the
pardon board.
So Lettie mourned on and dreamed
on, all unaware that the man she could
not forget was free. Her aunt fretted
and feared for many weeks, dreading
the possible appearance of Blake In
quest of Lettie. He did not come, nor
did any letter, and the months rolled
ON.
1t was late in the year when the
boys came marching home. There was
a fragmentary contingent of a regi-
nent which had displayed the highest
valor In one of the most desperate bat
ties Of the war. The son Of the gov.
ernor of the state was In the group,
and the idol of the regiment was a
soldier, Berton Arleigh, who had saved
the life Of the young man and had led
a forlorn hope that had turned the
tide of the conflict. Berton Arleigh
had been terribly wounded and was
on the convalescent list when what
was left Of the valorous regiment
reached the home town.
The people Of the capital could not
do enough to honor these men, and the
son of the governor had invited Ber-
ton Arleigh to become his guest. One
day and night the young man remained
in the palatial home Of the officials.
The next morning he sought a private
interview with the governor.
II think 1t best to quietly leave you
without the knowledge Of your SON."
he said, and then to the amazement Of
MS auditor he disclosed his true iden.s
tity. He was Blake Arnold, and the
fntense patriotism Of his nature the
Keen willingness to redeem the past
4fan g. H.