The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-05-06
FROM THE
DEPTHS
ny oTILLIA y. PFEIFFER

That familiar had penny and con-
venilonal rolling stone, Morton Dale.
had come back 90 Grnftou after q
mysterious absence Of n year or more.
lie had been remembered rs an idle.
dlssipnied fellow. good-natured. will.
lng AMI accommodating. but prone 20
fall by the wayslde.
lie had roic away ragged and
shiftless looking. Tie had returned
seemingly not much bcttered as 60
personal appearance.
Somehow his face N different Oh
served an old gossip. Ills hand II
steady and his eye clear as crystal.
Tie don't exactly look prosperous, but
there's something new about him"
why. yes" explained a bystnnder.
he says BE- hasn't touched drop
since he left here"
The town marshal and Judge Allen.
dc,cruus and sever shook their wise
heads. hut the more humble old friends
- Dale. recalling his many helpful
acts ~ Kindness. we're responsive and
charitable Dale. coming into town
an foot. was hailed by Tom Travis.
tenmsier. with n hearty: iii therei
Come hnck 90 wake ~ the old dead
town.
Hardly" smiled Dale "Just got
homcsick and had 90 see my old
friends once more. ~ have any"
I'm onci" returned Travis. eying
the shabby garments. you look 1T
tie more like a man. but don't see
you wearing any diamonds. heyi You
must be tired. 80 hop up here and
~ give you llft. And hungry
can spare YOU n dollar. " you're clear
out ~ funds
Thank you. Tom" said Dale with
humid eyes. You always were n good
sort. hut I've stiil got a little change.
just drip me NJ Miller's. the shoe
maker-an old chum. you know"
Hell be glad" assured Travis
heartily. and Miller was. and Dale's
face heamcd with pleasure nj the
greeting he received.
4 see ore - your shoes Il out NJ
the toe" observer Miller. "or with
u and lei me make you trim and
right. and I'll put IN an hour or two
with yuu -ruhhlng m. N you like.
when ! get my work done"
Il may come back later" advised
Dale. sort % longing 20 see some
more Of my old friends
Ted Norris l. working In the gen
ernl store next door" said Miller. "lie
never gets tired telling how you ran
race against time for the doctor.
saving his boys life when he was
bleeding 10 death from that cut on
n sharp scythe."
And. indeed. Ted Norris declared
that Dale mus; accompany him home
that afternoon and stay Go tea and
all night. and took out his pocket.
book. hut halted spontaneous ,rl-
pulse OF generosity and good fellow
ship a. he too noticcd that something
new" IN Morton Daie's face that some
how checked old-time familiarity.
So n was soon all over town that
the wnndcrer had returned and. too.
was straight rs a string" and how
ever unpromlslng he presented as 10
worldly goods. had n certain striking
soulfulness In his face that caused
the many old friends he met 10 pom
der and wonder.
How are the Rowlands getting
alongf" asked Dale from an old
chum. late In the afternoon.
"Shme as usual" was the response.
The old man IL still able 20 work.
and Dorothy's Just as good and pref
" as ever. sort Of fascinated In that
quarter once. wasn't you. Dalef"
more than that" replied Dale with
serious candor. Dear little Dorothy
I told her IA never come back until
drink was n dead letter. and haven't.
and II l.. wonder ~ she'll care 10
see me"
"She's home from district school
teaching this week. hear Guess she
isn't the girl 60 forget fellow she
seemed 20 like as she dld you
Thank You" spoke Dale in low.
intense tone. Il need encourage
ment when the great hopes % my life
are In the balance"
The sun was Just going down a.
Morton Dale neared the humble cot.
tare 81 the Rovlands. lie paused.
Framed IN the glowing radiance.
standing az the gate was golden
haired. swect.faced girl. She saw
him coming. ran towards him and
clasped both ~ his hands.
"Oh. Morionl" she huttercd. u
heard ahou, Il. l. IL truef But oh
| DO not need 10 ask. Your face tells
the story. what happy hour II
would be- for your dear. dead mother,
were she here 20 see you-redeemed."
"You are always saying good. love
Iy words" ,hoked M Dale. "Are you
that gladr
$50 glad. Morton" said Dorothy.
trembling with emotion. that ! would
go hand IN hand with you 90 the ends
81 the world. poor. homeless. but hap
IN knowing that you had found your
soul NJ last"
Morton Irlle uttered a great surg
lnr cry ~ Joy ~ bliss complete.
.Ohl the blessing % friends 50