Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-02-19
THE
DOUBLE LIFE
By AlvAH J. GARTH
tcopyrlsht. 1870. we.t.rn Nsw.p.per Union


For good or bad the world was all
before him-no man ever more solemn
ly realized that parting and a start
ing was at his choice. He stood just
outside an isolated dilapidated hut
and faced the dawning day. Its ro-
seate glow. the waking birds aud
gently signing breeze wrought influ-
ences of thought and decision clear.
comprehensive and hiding.
His past had been blighting and
the present uncertain. Only to the
fathomless future could he look as
to new birth. He was nobody
worse than that. discharged convict.
His real name was menace. He
must lose it and begin anew. go back
recklessly among the old avenues of
crime, or divest himself Of every YES
tige of his natural personality and
assume new identity.
The specious forces Of evil beckon-
ed him to the colnpanionship that had
sent him to FIVE years in the peniten-
tiary. and he had paid his debt.
Looking back two weeks, he saw
himself freed from prison with time
allowed for good behavior. Looking
back week. he saw himself entering
this same deserted hut. seeking a
nights shelter. to find within. lying
on bed of straw, well favored
young man about his own age This
In, nd
delirium, and from his rawlings John
Blake gathered that he was person
addicted to drink and drugs. had fall
en- by the wayside and his weakened
vitality was fast oozing away. A hui
name and new impulse had been
born into John Blake the last two
years Of his imprisonment through the
friendly ministrations of the peniten-
tiary chaplain. For three days and
nights he acted as nurse and provider
out OF the little store he had earned
In prison through overtime. securing
food and medicine from the village
nearby. The morning of the fourth
day the invalid had died. His pillow
had been an old valise, but 1t contain
ed only few articles of clothing and
letters. and from these Blake cleaned
that his name was Arthur Gride. and
that his former home was in Canada.
One of the letters was evidently
from the uncle of Gride and 1t told
the whole history of that blighted life.
1t ran: You have forfeited the es-
teen Of every friend and relative
through your evil, dissipated ways.
They and have disowned you. Of
fer you one last chance. inclose
you letter to an old friend have
written him telling him Of your frail-
ties and past. He will give you work.
If you make man of yourself he will
he a stanch helper. If not, he will
speedily Send you about your bust
ness"
The other letter was directed to
adam Marshall" at little city in
Il western state. and 1t simply intro
duced arthur Gride. whom 1 have
already written you about"
When the poor wanderer was dead
Blake went to the village and told
of his finding the man and Of his car
Ing for him. They buried him decent
ly in the little country cemetery, and
now, after passing last lonely night
at the hut, John Blake stood at the
parting of the ways.
Two months later, assuming the
name Of the dead man. Blake was In
stalled Mt Leesville as an employee of
Adam Marshall in the grain and feed
business. The latter was old and in
firm. but he gare-,he pretended nephew
OF his friend every chance to make
good. Within year the new Blake
had completely won the confidence OF
his patron. When the latter died his
fa'aily later engaged him as manager
Of the business. Trusted and beloved
by everybody, a man among men, the
new Arthur Gride became citizen of
Importance.
1t was about this time that a young
Momal. zane to Lcesville and after
making many inquiries about Arthur
Gride settled down into seclusion.
train She covertly followed him. 1t
was the anniversary Of the death of
Tive real Arthur Gride. and the man
Mho had assumed his identity went
Z, the little settlement where he was
l'lried. He placed 81 wreath upon his
crave and sat lost in reverent thought.
He looked up, puzzled and startled rs
shadow crossed the spot. The mys.
FERROUS woman stood beside him. He
recalled having seen her once or twice
in Leesville. Her accusing face and
manner made a really comedy face ap-
pear dark and forbiddlng.
II have followed you day after day."
she spoke. ito find the man you pre-
tend to be. am the sister of Arthur
Gride. You are not he Where is
he?"
There" spoke John Blake. pointing
to the grave. His sister? Then you
shall know all. come here because
OF him, have redeemed myself and
have honored his name
Luella Grlde sank to the ground. the
tears falling fast. all save tenderness
leaving her face as she listened to
the story of the redeemed man. Thep
she told of how. after the death Of
her father and mother. the hard-heart.
ed uncle had consented TO tell her
that her lost brother had become q
man of Importance at I.eesvlle.
In mutual sorrow for the poor un.
fortunate. those two mingled their
tears. Strangely brought together by