The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-07

Ou kIt0@ l was S1dd Io near O1 your promotion" she asserted But l hated to leave Kansas city-I was so happy there.''
 Yes," he agreed, fit was hard to tear away from such pleasant associa- tions. Why, when you were so i'll that first month we were in New York, I was sorry I had accepted the new job. But I'm glad now. Are | mt you?''
 I'm so happy" she faitered, that sometimes I am afraid it will all end in misery"
 1 You mustn't think of calarnities when fortune is showering blessings on us," he said.
 After the meal, they went into the | drawing-room, where they were soon | joined by Frank Atwood. He came with his mother, and ip little while | the Rev. Dr. Phillips was announc- | ed.
 Ethel played and sang with a ten defness that plainly was for the big, athletic young man leaning against 1 the soft cushions piled on the diyan- 1 When she left the piano, one after another the others found excuses to go to the library, leaving the lovers to themselves.
 | night,'' the clergyman told Lake. "It is something that I very much want you to help me de-" l T am always at your service" the l railread man replied. T want to find employment for a | man." Dr. Phillips said, "who I be- | lieve is a victin of our system of criminal administration" Mrs. Lake bolted upright as though | an electric spark had shot through | her.
 "It is a. particularly unfortunate | case" the clergyman continued calm ly, t'and one deserving of help. The man in question was a professi onal 1 thief. He and the young woman he was to have married were arrested | and convicted of grand larceny She ! was given an indefinite term, and
 he was sentenced to State prison for four years The woman was released
 on probation at the end of a year. She broke her parole and disappear ed No one appears to know what has become of her. The man served his term, and when he came from prison he determined to turn over
 a new leaf. Well. he tried 1t. and
 he has kept up the struggle for al- ! most six years now. He met the usual experience of convicts. He ob- tained one position after another, only to lose it. Justly or unjustly. he attributes his failures to his convict past. ' found him as he was about to relapse into crime, and promised to give him an opportunity to start Eanew in another city. And I came to ask you, if you possibly can, to find an opening for him on the rail- road"
 Lake shock his head doubtfully. 1 Our experience with such cases
 has been unfortunate in the past" he
 said. We tried them in various ca
 
 and laborers. Strangely enough, the
 laborers usually stuck. while the oth- CTS drifted away. Is your man fit for physical 1abor?"
 t'I hardly think so. He's almost a physical wreck
 q don't see what can do for him. Lake announced. "If I hear or an
 opening, I'H give him a trial. You'll hear from me if I see my way clear | to do anything for him.'
 'Do your umest," Dr. Phillips urg- ed. '1 believe this Is a case of genu- | inc reformation"
 Mrs. Lake leaned back in her chair,
 her hands pressed hard against the sides. With an effort she relaxed her muscles and asked:
 Doesn't the man know what be- came of the woman?"
 | ''He says that she was bounded by the police, and that she determined to
 start again in another city. She went out West; but where he has never as- certained."
 The old fear sneaked into her heart | again. All the happiness of her we'd ding anniversary was dead.
 You haven't told the mans | name" she gasped. tI am deply in- terested.''
 John Burke" came the quick re- sponse. Mrs. Lake heard nothing but the | name. She felt a heavy weight on l her brain-felt as if she were losing control of her muscles.