Evening journal., 1922-12-16
PART ONE.
The Awakening.
CHAPTER I.
-.a A. H. na.lr

Cropping I'm the Dark.
The convict gang had a pleasant
place 70 work today. Their road
building had taken them some miles
from the scattered outskirts OF
walla walla, among fields green
with growing barley.
The convicts themselves we're In a
genial mood, easily moved TO wide
grins: and with a single exception
e they looked much like any other road
gang. Curiously enough. whenever
the warden's thought dwelt upon
the inmates OF his prison. there was
always one wfnd-tanned, vivid face,
one brawny, towering form that
seemed to demand individual con-
sideration. The man who was listed
on the records as Ben Kinney was
distinctly an individual.
That's the queerest case we ever
had here at waila Walla," Sprigley
told his fellow guard. as they
watched the mans pick swing in the
air. Sometimes 1 wonder whether
he ought TO be here or not. Look at
that face-he hasn't any more OF a
criminal face than I have"
The other guard, Howard, scanned
his companions face with mock care.
NOW let me tell you how they
happened 20 catch him. Maybe you
heard-he and Dago Frank were in
the act of breakingrnto the Western
Danish Bank. They were in the
alley. In the act OF jimmy1ng a win
dow, and all at once Kinney straight
ened up as II something had hit him
and let the Jimmy fail with a thump
TO the pavement. He put his hands
10 his head, like a man with head
ache. And the next instant a cop
came running from the mouth OF the
alley.
Kinney was heeled, but he didn't
even pull his gun. Now let me tell
you another queer thing. You know.
b the chief has started a system here
TO keep track OF all the prisoners.
He has them all fili out a card. Well.
when this Man Kinney turned In his
card, he had written Ben on Il, but
the rest was absolutely blank.
Mr.. Mitchell thought at first that
the man couldn't write. It turned
out, though, that he can wrlte-an
intelligent hand, and spell good too.
Then Mitchell decided he was just
sulhng, but I'm confident I know
the answer. The reason he didn't
fill out that card was because he
couldn't remember.
He couldn't remember where or
when he was born, or who were his
folks, or where he had come from, or
how he had spent his life. Amnesia
that's what the doctors call It
amnesia following some sort of a
mental trouble. In the end you'll
see that I'm right"
There had been quite a northern
migration lately these late spring
days. The last OF the waterfowl had
passed by now. but the northern mi
grafton was not yet done.
Ben thought about them as birds
OF passage, and the thought amused
him. And az the sight OF a small
stopped figure advancing toward him
up the railroad right-of-way ;ie
paused, leaning on his pick.
Because Ben had paused, for the
first time in an hour, his two guards
looked up to see what had attracted
his attention. They saw what |
seemed 70 them a white-haired old |
wanderer Of sixty years or more; but /
at first they were wholly at a loss to /
explain Ben's fascinated took OF
growing interest.
As he paused to ecrutinize the con-
vict gang neither insolence nor fear
one Of which was certainly 20 be ex-
pected, became manifest in his face.
Both guards were held and amazed
by the apparent fact that at the first
CfFfTF INV 30 he ~
carriage and HIS droll, wrinkled face.
the prisoner Kinney was moved and
stirred as II confronted by the risen
dead.
The old man himself halted. re-
turning Kinney's stare. Kinney's
mind seemed to be reaching, cropping
for some astonishing truth that
eluded him.
The old man ran, in great strides
toward him. MY God, aren't Won
Ben Darby?" he demanded.
The convict answered him as from
a great distance. hfs voice cool ana
calm and with an infinite certainty.
of course" he said. "of course,
I'm Darby"
For the moment that chance meet
ing thrilled all the spectators with
the sense OF monumental drama.
The convicts stared; Howard. the
second guard, started absurdly, rath-
er guiltlly. when the old man whirl-
ed toward him.
What are you doing with Ben
Darby in convict gang?" the old
wanderer demanded.
What am doin'?" Howard's as
tonishment gave way to righteous
indignation. I'm guardin' con-
victs. that's what I'm a-doin'."
The old man had turned his eyes
again to the tall, trembling figure of
Ben.
Ben, Benz he said. evidently
with deep emotion. What
are you doing here?"
Five years-for burglary" he an
swered simply. Guilty. tool don't
know anything more. A1d can't
you are"
you don't know me7" Some OF
Ben's own bewilderment seemed to
pass to him. you know Ezra Mel
Vile"
sprfgley stepped quickly to Mel
lilies side. Hes suffering loss Of
he explained swiftly.
This Is the first time he ever re-
'alled his own name"
Melville gazed at him in incredu-
Gus establishment. then turned 10
;prigley. MAY talk to you about
his case?" he asked quietly. If
lot to you, who-ean 1 talk tor There {
ire a few points that might help TO {
lear up" q