The spectator., 1920-07-13
THE DOUBLE LIFE
By ALVAH J. GARTH

TOT SOOu or Dau tne WOrlu was all
 before him-nO man ever more solemn.
 ly realized that a parting and start
 ing was at his choice. He stood just
 outside an isolated dilapidated hut
 and faced the dawning day. Its TO-
 seate glow, the waking birds and gently signing breeze wrought influ- ences of thought and decision clear, comprehensive and abiding.
 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 1t 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 a new identity.
 The spacious forces of evil beckon- ed him to the companionship 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 a bed of straw. we'll favored young man about his own age This latter tossed restlessly in fever and 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 hu- mane 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 it contain ed only a few articles of clothing and letters, and from these Blake gleancd that his name was Arthur Grde. and lhat 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. It ran: You have forfeited the es- teem of every friend and relative through your evil. dissipated ways. They and l have disowned you. of fer you one last chance. I 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 be stanch helper If not. he will speedily send you about your busi- ness"
 The other letter was directed to Adam Marshall' at little city in a western state, and 1t simply intro duced Arthur Gride, whom 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 n 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 at Leesville as an employee of Adam Marshall in the grain and feed business The latter was old and in- firm. bat he gave the nretended 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 family later engaged him as manager of the business. Trusted and beloved by everybody, man among men. the new Arthur Gride became q citizen of 
 It was about this time that young woman came to Leesyille and after making many inquiries about Arthur Gride settled down into seclusion. One day when Blake left the city on a frain she c0yertly followed him. If was the anniversary of the death of the real Arthur Gride, and the man who had assumed his identity went to the little settlement where he was buried. He placed wreath upon his grave and sat lost in reverent thought. | He looked up, puzzled and startled. as a shadow crossed the spot The mys- Ierious woman stood beside him. He | recalled having seen her once or twice | in Leesville. Her accusing face and manner made really comedy face ap- | pear dark and forbidding.
 "I have followed you day after day." she spoke, ito find the man you pre- tend to be. I am the sister of Arthur | Gride, You are not he. Where Is | ne?"
 There" spoke John Blake, pointing .o the grave. "His sister? Then YOU shall know all. I come here because Df him, l have redeemed myself and | have honored his name"
 Luella Gride sank to the ground. the
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