The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-04-15

'uh''b hhh't Sifit VI AhtuiutHrs
Reed came back 60 consciousness ly.
Ing ON a lounge In an Office. Seated at
desk was nne-featured. well.built
man. whose general presentment sug.
gcsted substantial and mental power.
A. Reed awakened lac came 90 him.
Upon the windows was the inscrip-
ton John Ward. Contractor" and To
all appearances he answered TO this
name
"fecling betterf" he inquired. scan
ming Reed critically. we found you
outside there. What was itr
Hunger guess" replied Reed
bluntly.
able to get to the restaurant
dowustairsf"
with the prospect Of square
meaif' and Reed smiled wanly. Il
think 30"
John Ward extended n bank note
with the direction: Get what you
need aud come back. want to talk
with you"
When Reed returned he found his nj
moner seated at his desk. a faraway
expression upon his face My friend"
he said. trying 10 learn your Identity
| found letter written by the chap
lain Of "A prison"
IL should have shown II 10 you" de
clared Reed spontaneously.
Tell me all OF H." suggested Ward.
and Reed recited his story.
You are headed on the right path. "
spoke Ward. ITO prove 20 you that
believe 80 I offer TO employ you"
Reed held his benefactor In a species
integrity and helpfulness to all human
lty 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 10 Weston ten years
previous with his little orphaned child.
Evallne. aud had steadily won his way
In popular esteem. She was young
lady now and. as time went on. Reed
becs oe an occasional guest at the
home OF his benefactor.
lie loved Evaline Ward. but never
did he betrny his emotions. He felt
that she was far from his humble. dis
upted life. Like some faithful watch
dog. however. he was ever alert TO
guard her. to protect and further the
interests Of her father.
Then strange menace came 10 John
Ward. There appeared nj Weston a
man who recognized Reed ms an ex'
convict. He terrorized Reed by threat.
ening TO besray his past unless the lat
ter lent himself to his unholy scheme.
Reed was appalled, when the soulless
blackmailer proved TO him that Ward
himself had been convict.
"You are 60 find out certain identif-
cation marks" instructed the creature.
Dalton. I'VE will divide the price of
our silence"
II was then that the old Evan Reed
awoke. one evening he went To an APP
pointment with Dalton. armed with n
revolver. II will shoot him down as
would a dog-thls 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. lie left his nf-
fairs In charge OF Reed as admlnistra.
tor and the latter accepted II as a holy
trust. the daughter. Eyaline. evincing
confidence In Reed that was almost
pathetic.
IL was then that Reed secretly gave
himself over 10 what was TO be his
tribute 60 the man who had done 50
much for him. II was piece Of sculp-
ture showing an angel guarding a
tomb-an angel With a single finger
pressed to the lip as II enjoInlng ST.
lence.
IL was a lovely summer afternoon
when Reed stood beside the grave ~
his benefactor. gazing upon the piece
Of sculpture. lie fancied that he
alone OF all the world held the secret
meaning Of that mute invocation TO
those who would east a stone. TO rev.
erence the great destiny this noble
man had attained but there was a
footstep aud Eyallne stood al his side.
Her eyes met his. her hand clasped
his. Her lips framed two significant
words:
n understand :"
Yes. the past of her father-for she
had protected that secret all the years !;
the past. as we'll. Of this man whose
loyalty Of soul and devotion had en-
pressed itself In a tribute that found
their two souls In unison.
DO not leave me" she said. low and
earnestly. Father would not have II
So" and. mingled with their mutual
tears. Was a mutual love that time