Gilpin observer., 1920-05-20
THE STRAIGHT
PATH.
By WALTER DELANEY.
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper uni.n.

looked back upon the time when he
was the trusted employee of a large
grain firm. socially recognized and
with apparently promising prospects,
and contrasted that condition with the
present he dropped his head humili-
ated and disheartened.
The more so because the little home
like cottage at the door of which Ben
Devins. bold and aggressive, had asked
for something to eat had for its mis-
tress refined, white-haired old lady
who scanned Ben in shrinking, fear
some way, but plain pity came into her
face as her eyes rested upon his young
er companion. and she murmured
something about "better days" Then
she called:
"Myra, dear, come here"
Then had appeared young girl Of
perhaps twenty, fair of form and fea-
ture. Her eyes, too, pierced the mask
of unkemptness of the young fellow
whose rags and unshaven face showed
that he was not in his right element.
The young lady made no comment
but went back into the house and re-
appeared with some cold meat, bread
and butter and n pitcher of milk. Ben
proceeded to dispatch twO-thirds of
the lunch and then strolled carelessly
about the yard. Denham was finish
ing last crust of bread when the
young lady reappeared, child of
about seven, apparently her sister,
holding a plate containing piece of
pie.
Nellie insists on your having this"
spoke Myra Ward gently.
"Oh, yes, the poor man looks so
hungry!' prattled the little one.
"Wait," added the young lady, set
ting the plate upon the porch, and
FASTENED back into the house and
brought silver fork.
There could be no more delicate
compliment or recognition. Denham
lowered his eyes, for the quick tears
came. The young lady, a letter in her
hand, went around to the front of the
house as if to place 1t beside the letter
box for the mail carrier to take up, re-
turned and minute later Ben beck
oned urgently.
WED better make tracks," he said,
and Denham could not understand his
haste. This is no good town if the
village constable spies u.s."
II want to reach Southport before
dark" Ben apprized him. "We've been
living on handouts for n week. want
something better"
For only few days Denham had
tramped 1t with Ben. When the firm
he had worked for so long failed he
had been unable to get on his feet
again. Then came spell of sickness,
no work later and then absolute pow
erty.
When they reached the city Ben
still further surprised Denham by TAX
Ing room in fairly respectable hO-
tel. Denham noticed that he paid for
the same with a fifty-dollar bill.
~ had that slowed away all the
time" asserted mendacious and tricky
Ben. 81 wanted to surprise you.
There's five. Go around and enjoy
yourself until l come back" and he
did not reappear until midnight, al
most riOtous as he showed an immense
package of bank notes.
give hundred" he gloated. MY
luck at cards held firm. Now then,
partner, while I'm in funds I'm going
to get back to friends. I'm no piker.
no I'm going to stake you to go where
you please. Here, I'll stow two twen-
Ties in my old wallet. Take it, moth
ing but new fancy pocketbook will
40 me just now"
Denham could scarcely believe his
good fortune as he started for his
home town the next morning.
But a vast surprise greeted him. An
uncle had died leaving him II small for
tune and lawyers had been seeking
Tor him everywhere. The transition
Then n strange discovery started him
ON n singular quest.
In the old wallet he had found n
letter. II was all crumplcd up and
was directed to edwin Ward" 1t
told of an inclosure of fifty dollars and
II implored dear brother" not to lose
heart. that small as was the amount.
and spared with difficulty. 1t must be
made TO serve it's recipient to carry
out his plans.
The letter was dated at the town
where the young lady had given Den.
ham and Ben that free meal. At once
Denham surmlsed the truth. Ben must
have overheard the girl and her moth
er discussing the contents of the let
ter. had wickedly stolen 1t from the
letter box and had appropriated the
inclosure.
Wade Denham could not rest until
he had located Edwin Ward, to find
him striving to make his way In the
literary field. Just In time he reached
tho llscaiir ..nl nua 70,