The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1921-02-05
From, the Depths
BY RALPH HAMILTON


ishes up the personal property at sale"
PRONOUNCED Jabex Dunn. vilinge auc-
iioncer. "Thnt with what the furni'
ture sold for Just about squares all
debts and my fees" "unless.7 be nd.
ded jocnlsrly. "some one wants to bid
on the GIRL
''rhe girl" was 4 gnunt. poorly
dressed. being OF about twelve. Her
shoes were In holes. her dress uttered
her whole appearance suggested n neg.
lected and motIveIess outcast. blankly
viewing the last that was left Of what
had been 10 her a home.
Il will see that the girl IL cared for"
spoke young DIR. Evan Rcade. resent
Ing the humor Of the auctioneer and
the stares and smiles Of the Idle crowd.
"Yes." spoke Theresa Dunn. claspIng
his hand and looking pleadinsly up
Into his kindly eyes. Il will 20 any
where with you and do Just MS you ssy. \
but don't let them send me 10 the poor
house. was there once. before Mrs.
Nnru look me IN.
'You shall go to comfortable home.
child" pledged Dr. Reade, and his
tones were full Of pity and emotion.
"You were so kind 10 Mrs. Ward be-
fore she died." mumured Theresa.
"And you are a good man. ] shall
never forget you" ~
DIR. Reade led Theresa away from
the spot that must have held poignant
memories for her. An orphan. she had
shaved out her young life for Mrs.
Ward. but squalId as were her sur
roundlngs and unleely the woman,
there had been at least a companion
to cling TO and she hs,l been. true as
steel. Now she had no home save
what DR.. Reade promised. Faith
shone In her eyes. As he led her half
a mile TO where David Marsh lived.
Theresa drew back slightly. Sour
souled. grim visaged David Marsh was
an ogre to juvenile Brookville.
"Don't be afraid. dear" spoke Reade.
"Mr. Marsh is my friend and will do
as suggest as to your being rightly
cared for and your education. am
going to leave Brookvllle. but I shall
hear from you regularly for MFR.
Marsh has agreed 10 write to me tell
ing how you get along. You will be
no pensloner on his bounty for ! am go
Ing to give him so much year to see
10 your bringing up"
"Qh. you are doing all this for mel"
cried Theresa, bursting into tears
'Why?" f.
Because I am as lonely in the world
as yourself. Because l may not live a
year II my physical health does not re-
spond to new climate. can well
spare, what may make a happy woman
of you In time and you are welcome
to It."
Reade babe Theresa be seated on
the porch while he went into the house
alone to talk with Marsh. The latter
was inclined to grant any favor to
probably the only man In the world he
cared for, but he was parsim0nlous.
considered "that untutored girl" would
be q vast responsibility and tried to
induce Reade to select some other
guardian for her.
'No, / can trust you.". declared
Reade. 'Theresa shall cost you moth
Ing, she will be help to your sick
wife, blessing to both Of you In
time. Come, Marsh, don't leave pen.
nlless orphan to drift around the world
with neither guide nor guardian" and
the arrangement was cementcd
Then five years went by and Reade
saw nothing more of Theresa. Regu.
larry once year after she had been
sent to school, however, he received a
brief letter from her. 1t always
thanked him for his interest In her. II
told how ambitious she was to make
herself worthy of his kindly interest.
"Theresa has indeed become bless.
Ing to u.s." wrote David Marsh, "she
has been a tireless nurse to my wife,
We are proud of her. for she has TAX
en- wonderfully to education and wants
to study for school teaching. And she
has grown into graceful, beautiful
girl, modest, friendly, helpful to 9th
ers. Every day she looks at your pho
tograph in the old album as though
she is silently thanking you for all YOU
have done for her."
DR.. Reade regained his health, but
abandoned his profession. He had In
vented an electrical device and was
giving all his time and money to Its
development. There came final year
in his struggle to attain success that
tried his soul sorely. In the midst OF
his efforts to secure needed capital he
received letter from Theresa telling
him that Mr.. Marsh had died, just
year after his wife.
II read your letter addressed to him,
for he had died few days before It
arrived" she wrote. II am coming to
you, dear Mr.. Reade. Until you see
me do not despair about obtaining the
capital you need, for can provide It,"
Evan Reade gazed in marvelling
wonder and admiration at Theresa
Dunn when she arrived. She had
grown into a lovely Young woman, in.
deed. She had but one thought In her
mind--to assist him as he had helped
her in her own darksome hour of need
She insisted on doing so from the es
tate David Marsh had left her.
1t came about, however, that just al
that time manufacturing company de