Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-04-17
HIDDEN LIVES
By ALvAH }. GARTH

For a serious misstep Evan Reed
served eight years in a 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
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 little inland city, weak,
hungry and discouraged, he crept into
a public building, fairly ill, and sue
cumbed under a spell of faintnesss
Reed came back to consciousness ly-
ing on lounge in an Office. Seated at
a desk was a t1ne-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. eve found you
outside there. What was itP"
Hunger, 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. 1 want to talk
with you"
When Reed returned he found his al
moner seated at his desk, faraway
expression upon his face. my friend"
he said, trying to learn your identity
I found letter written by the chap
lain of prison"
Il should have shown it 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. ITO prove to you that /
believe so offer to employ you"
Reed held his benefactor in species
of alteration. John Wards generosity,
integrity and helpfulness to all human
ity had become a 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,
Evaline, and had steadily won his way
in popular esteem. She was a young
lady now and, as time went on, Reed
beca41e 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
Tupted 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 to John
Ward. There appeared at Weston a
man who recognized Reed as an sex-
convict. He terrorized Reed by threat
ening to betray his past unless the lat
ter lent himself to his unholy scheme
Reed was appalled, when the soulIess
blackmailer proved to him that Ward
himself had been a convict.
you are to find out certain identih-
cation Marks" instructed the creature,
Dalton. I'VE will divide the price of
our silence"
1t was then that the old Evan Reed
awoke. One evening he went to an APP
pointment with Dalton, armed with a
revolver. 81 will shoot him down as I
would dog-this infamous scoundrel
who would bring exposure and misery
upon those l love-" he firmly resolved;
but heaven saved him from the guilt,
for that day Dalton was crushed to
death in a street accident.
The menace was removed, but year
later John Ward died. He left his af-
fairs in charge of Reed as administra-
tor and the latter accepted it as holy
trust, the daughter, Evaline, evincing
a confidence in Reed that was almost
pathetic.
1t was then that Reed secretly gave
himself over to what was to be his
tribute to the man who had done so
much for him. 1t was piece of sculp-
ture showing an angel guarding a
tOmb-an angel with a single finger
pressed to the lip as if enjoining ST.
lence.
1t was a lovely summer afternoon
when Reed stood beside the grave of
his benefactor, gazing upon the piece
of sculpture. He fancied that he
alone of all the world held the secret
of that mute invocation to
those who would cast stone. to rev.
erence the great destiny this noble