Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-02-17
FROM THE
DEPTHS
By oTiLLiA F. PFEIFFER


vcntional rolling stone. Morton Dale,
had come back "a Grafton after
mysterious absence of a year or more.
He hair been remembered as an idle.
| dissipated fellow. good-natured will
ing and accommodating, but prone to
fall by the waySide.
He had gone away ragged and
shiftless looking. He had returned
seemingly not much hettered as to
personal appearance.
Somehow his face Is different" OBJ
served an old gossip. His hand is
steady and his eve clear as crystal.
/ He don't exactly look prosperous. but
there's something new about him."
"Why, yes" explained bystander.
she says he hasn't touched drop
since he left here"
The town marshal and Judge Allen,
decorous and severe. shook their wise
heads, but the more humble old friends
of Dale, recalling his many helpful
acts of kindness. were responsive aud
charitable. Dale, coming into town
on foot. was hailed by Tom Travis.
teamster, with hearty: "Hi therei
| Come back to wake up the old dead
town."
Hardly" smiled Dale. "Just got
homesick and had to see my old
friends once more. II have any,"
"rm one!" returned Travis, eying
the shabby garments. "You look lit
tie more like a man, but I don't see
you wearing any diamonds. hey? You
must be tired, so hop up here and
I'll give you q lift. And hungry |
can spare you dollar, IL you're clear
out Of funds"
THANK you. Tom," said Dale with
| humid eyes. "You always were good
sort. but I've still got little change.
Just drop me at Miller's. the shoe
maker-an old chum, you know"
Hell be glad" assured Travis
heartily. and Miller was. and Dale's
face beamed with pleasure at the
greeting he received.
81 see ore OF your shoes is out at
the toe" observer Miller. "Off with
II and let me make you trim and
right, and I'll put 10 an hour or two
when I get my work DONE"
81 may come back later" advised
Dale. "Sort of longing to see some
more OF my old friends"
Tied Norris is working In the gen
eral store next door" said Miller HE
never gets tired telling how you ran
race against time for the doctor.
saving his boys life when he was
bleeding to death from that cut on
sharp scythe."
And. indeed, Ted Norris declared
that Dale must accompany him home
that afternoon and stay TO tea and
all night, and took out his pocket
book, but halted q spontaneous irl-
pulse of generosity and good fellow
ship as he too noticed that something
new" in Morton Dals's face that some
how checked old-time familiarity.
So it was soon all over town that
the wanderer had returned and. too,
was straight as string" and how
ever unpromising he presented as 10
worldly goods. had certain striking
soulfuness in his face that caused
the many old friends he met TO pom
der and wonder.
"How are the ROwlands getting
aIong?" asked Dale from an old
chufi,. late In the afternoon.
sSame as usual" was the response.
"The old man Is still able TO work.
and Dorothy's Just as good and pref.
ty as ever. Sort OF fascinated in that
In In
"More Than that" replied Dale with
serious candOr. Dear little Dorothy
I told her I'd never come back until
drink was a dead letter. and ! haven't.
and II u.s. wonder If she'll care to
see me"
She's home from district school
teaching this week. | hear Guess she
isn't the girl to forget fellow she
seemed to like as she did you"
"Thank you" spoke Dale In low.
intense tone. ~ need encourage
mcnt when the great hopes of my life
are in the balance"
The sun was just going down as
Morton Dale neared the humble cot
tage of the Rowlands. He paused.
| Framed In the glowing rauiance.
standing at the gate was golden
haired, sweet-faced girl. She saw
him coming, ran towards him and
clasped both OF his hands.
"Oh, Mort0nl" she huttered, Il
heard about IT, Is Ii true? But oh!
I do not need TO ask. Your face tells
the story. What happy hour tt
would he for your dear, dead mother,
were she here to see you-redeemed.
"You are always saying good. love-
" words" choked up Dale. "Are you
that gladT
$50 glad. Morton" said Dorothy.
trembling with emotion, shat would
20 hand In hand with you to the ends
of the world, poor, homeless, but hap
DIV knowing that you had found your
soul at last"