The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-04-15
HIDDEN LIVES
BY ALvAH J. GARTH

For a serious misstep Evan Reetz1
served eight years In state penaS7'
Institution. He Jeff the grim, frowD--
ing institution chastened man. He
had served an apprenticeship in the
plastic art and knew how to construct
plaster center pieces and stucco fig
Ures. Transferred to the marble yard
he had tried his hand at rough sculp-
ture and naturally sought work i'm
these kindred lines when he became
free man.
But Evan Reed had lost the impulse
of harmonious contact with the great
outside world. He found IL impossible
TO evade telling where he had acquired
his knowledge of the trade. Work was
desultory and one day, after walking
ten miles to little inland city, weak
hungry and discouraged, he erept integ
a public building fairly i'll, and sue
cumbed under spell of faintness.
Reed came back to consciousness ly--
ing on lounge in an office Seated att
a desk was fine-featured, well-built-
man, whose general presentnent sus-
gested substantial and mental power
AS Reed awakened he came to hina-
Upon the windows was the inscrip-
llOn- Jtilu NdTuf 1bHiIUttpi. ahA ~
all Appearances he answered to ttffr
name.
Feeling better?" he inquired scan
ming Reed critically 1--WE found you
outside there. What was it7'
Hunger. | guess" replied Reec2
bluntly.
able to get to the restaurant
downstairs?"
with the prospect of n square
meal?' and Reed smiled wanly. *
think so.''
John Ward extended bank note
with the direction: Get what ycuz
need and come back. l want to talk
with you"
When Reed returned he found his az
moner seated at his desk, a fsraway
expression upon his face. My friend.
he said, trying to learn your identity
/ found letter written by The chap
lain of a prison"
II should have shown II TO you" de-
clared Reed spontaneously.
Tell me all of it," suggested Ware
and Reed recited his story
You are headed on the right path
spoke Ward. ITO prove to you that i
believe so | offer to employ you"
Reed held his benefactor In a species
Of alteration. John Wards generosity
integrity aud helpfulness to all human
ity had become household word fns
Weston. Pride. gratitude. love had
been generated in the soul of Reed
through the rare confidence this gooc-
Samaritan reposed in him
Ward had come TO Weston ten years
previous with his little orphaned child
Evaline and had steadily won his WAY
in popular esteem. She was a young
lady now and. as time went on. Reed
becs1e an occasional guest at the
home of his benefactor.
He loved ESaline Ward, but never
did he betray his emotions. He feit
that She was far from his humble, dis
rupted life Like some faithful watch
dog. however. he was ever alert tsS
guard her. TO protect and further the
interests of her father.
Then strange menace came TO John
Ward. There appeared at Weston "a
man who recognized Reed as an ex-
convict. He terrorized Reed by threat
eninS 10 betray his past unless the lat
ter lent himself to his unholy scheme
Reed was appalled, when the soulless<
blackmalier proved 10 MIN tndt MaENa
himself had been convict.
You are to find out certain identifS-
cation marks instructed the creature
Dalton I'VE will divide the price ofS
our silence"
Ii was then that the old Evan ReeCsss
awoke one evening he went to an ap
pointment with Dalton. armed with a.
revolver. Il Will shoot him down as r
would tloc-this Infamous scoundreE
who would bring exposure and misery
upon those / love- lie firmly resolved =
but heaven saved him from the guilt
for that day Dalton was crushed to-
death in a street accident.
The menace was removed. hut 3 year
later John Ward died. He left his af--
fairs in charge OF Reed as administra
tor and the latter accepted IT as II holy
trust. the daughter. Evaline. evineinE=
confidence in Reed that was ahnosH
pathetic.
1t WAS then that Reed secretly gave
himself over to what wns to be his
tribute To the man who had done seS
much for MIN 1t was piece OF scuip-
ture showing an angel guarding NJ
toinb-an angel with single finger
pressed TO the lip as II entoining 81
lence.
Ii was lovely summer afternoon
when Reed stood beside the grave OF :
his benefactor, gazing upon the piece {,
OF sculpture He fancied that hes
alone OF all the world held the secre'
trw