The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-06-03
HIDDEN LIVES
BY ALVAH J. GARTH

Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Unionl
For a serious misstep Evan Reed
served eight years in a state penal
institution. He left the grim, frOwn-
ing institution a 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 in
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 crept into
a public building, fairly ill, and sue
cumbed under a spell of faintness.
Reed came back to consciousness ly-
ing on lounge in an office. Seated at
a desk was a fine-featured, well-built
man, whose general preSentment sug-
geSted substantial and mental power.
AS Reed awakened he came to him.
Upon the windows was the inscrip-
ton: John Ward, Contractor" and to
all appearances he answered to this
name
Feeling betterY he inquired, scan
ming Reed critically. "We found you
outside there. What was itT'
Hunger, 1 guess" replied Reed
bluntly.
able to get to the restaurant
downstairs?"
with the prospect of a square
meal?" and Reed smiled wanly. 81
think So"
John Ward extended a bank note
with the direction: "Get what you
need and come back. l want to talk
with you"
When Reed returned he found his al
moner seated at his desk, a PARKWAY
expression upon his face. MY friend
he said, trying to learn your identity
l found a letter written by the chap
lain of a prison"
81 should have shown 1t to you" de
clared Reed spontaneously.
Tell me all of it," suggested Ward
and Reed recited his story.
you are headed on the right path,
spoke Ward. "To prove to you that
believe so l offer to employ you"
Reed held his benefactor In a specie
of alteration. John Wards generosity
integrity and helpfulness to all human
ity had become a household word II
Weston. Pride, gratitude, love hat
been generated in the soul Of Rec
through the rare confidence this goo'
Samaritan repOsed in him.
Ward had come to Weston ten year
previous with his little orphaned child
Evaline, and had steadily won his wa
in popular esteem. She was a youn
lady now and, as time went on, Rec
becaDe an occasional guest at tn
home of his benefactor.
He loved Evaline Ward, but neve
did he betray his emotions. He fel
that she was far from his humble, dis
Yupted life. Like some faithful watcf
dog, however, he was ever alert t
guard her, to protect and further tn
interests of her father.
Then q strange menace came to job
Ward. There appeared at Weston
man who recognized Reed as an e.
convict. He terrorized Reed by threa
ening to betray his past unless the la
ter lent himself to his unholy scheme
Reed was appalled, when the soulles
blackmailer proved TO him that War
himself had been convict.
"You are to find out certain identii
cation marks" instructed the creatur
Dalton. 1--WE will divide the price
our silence"
1t was then that the old Evan Rec
awoke. One evening he went to an al
pointment with Dalton, armed with
revolver. 81 will shoot him down as
would a dog-this infamous scoundr
who would bring exposure and misel
UPON those l love-" he firmly resolved
but heaven saved him from the gull
for that day Dalton was crushed
death In a street accident.
The menace was removed, but YET
later John Ward died. He left his
fairs In charge Of Reed as administr
tor and the latter accepted 1t as no
, trust, the daughter, Evaline, evincir
|. a confidence, in Reed that was almo
, pathetic.
It was then that Reed secretly ga
himself over to what was to be b
tribute to the man who had done
> much for him. 1t was piece of soul
ture showing an angel guarding
tomb-an angel with a single fng
pressed to the lip as If entoining
lence.
It was a lovely summer afterno'
when Reed stood beside the grave
his benefactor, gazing upon the pie
; of sculpture. He fancied that
L alone of all the world held the seer
meaning of that mute invocation
those who would cast a stone, to re
erence the great destiny this moi
man had attained, but there was
footstep and Evaline stood at his sic
Her eyes met his, her hand clasp
his. Her lips framed two significa