Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-06-03
HIDDEN LIVES
BY ALVAH J. GARTH

For a serious misstep Evan Reed
served eight years in state penal
institution. He left the grim, frown-
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 in
these kindred lines when he became
a free man.
But Evan Reed had lost the impulse
Of harmonious contact with the great
outside world. He found it impossible
to evade telling where he had acquired
his knowledge of the trade Work was
desultory and one day, after walking
ten miles to a little inland city, weak,
hungry and discouraged, he crept into
a public building, fairly i'll, and sue
cumbed under spell of faintness.
Reed came back to- consciousness ~
ing on a lounge in an office. Seated at
desk was a ine-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 better?" he inquired, scan
ming Reed critically. 1--WE found you
outside there. What was it7"
Hunger, l guess" replied Reed
bluntly.
able to get to the restaurant
downstairs
with the prospect of a square
mealy' and Reed smiled wanly. Il
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 faraway
expression upon his face. My friend"
he said, trying to learn your Identity
! found Il letter written by the chap
lain of a prison"
clared Reed, spontaneously.
Tell me all Of it, suggested Ward,
and Reed recited his story.
You are headed on the right path"
spoke Ward. ITO prove to YOU that
believe so / offer to employ you"
Reed held his benefactor in a species
Of alteration John Wards generosity,
integrity and helpfulneSs to all human
ity had become household word in
Weston Pride, gratitude, love had
been generated in the soul of Reed
through the rare confidence this good
Samaritan reposed in him.
Ward had come to Weston ten years
previous with his little orphaned child,o
Eyaline. and had steadily won his way
in popular esteem. She was a young
lady now and, as time went on, Reed
beca le an occasional guest at the
home of his benefactor.
He loved Evaline Ward, but never
did he betray his emotions. He felt
that she was far from his humble, dis
rupted life. Like some faithful watch
dog, however, he was ever alert TO
guard her, TO protect and further the
interests of her father
Then a strange menace came to John
Ward. There appeared at Weston a
man who recognized Reed as an ex-
convict. He terrorized Reed by threat
ening TO betray his past unless the lat
ter lent himself TO his uuholy scheme.
blackmailer proved to him that Ward
himself had been a convict.
You are to find out certain identif-
cation marks instructed the creature,
Dalton we viii divide the price of
our silence"
1t was then that the old Evan Reed
awoke One evening he went to an APP
p0intment with Dalton, armed with a
revolver. Il viii shoot him down as
would a dog-this infamous scoundrel
who would bring exposure and misery
upon those I love-" he firmly resolved;
but heaven saved him from the guilt,
for that day Dalton was crushed 10
death in a street accident
The menace was removed. but year
later John Ward died. He left his af-
fairs in charge Of Reed ais administra-
tor and the latter accepted it as holy
trust the daughter. Eyaline evncing
a confidence In Reed that was almost
pathetic
i was then that Reed secretly gave
hmsplt over 10 what was to be his
tribDtfe To fine man who bad lnpa en-