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Newspaper Page Text
BWWPgWgy J ', J -'t- ' iie approached the stream, out of the I shelter of the trees, he recoiled in as tonishment and terror. Facing him, across the stream, was Maisle. Maisie in a torn dress, with grub--by hands and tear-stained face. Maisie, recognizing him with a glad smile, a cry of delight, and running through the water toward him. Maisie, snuggling into Big Ben's armsand holding up her face for a kiss. - Big Ben looked at her. "Where's your daddy?" he asked. "I don't know," said Maisie. "I got lost." t "Lost? When?" ' 'Last night I was picking flowers and Hooked up and the trees were all round me. And I couldn't go home,." The child must have wandered miles during the night. So that was what the guns had been firing for! "But you'll take me home, won't you, Big Ben?" continued Maisie, looking up into his face. Big Ben was staggered. He could i not find any answer to make. "You see, daddy will be awful glad to see me again," said the little girl. "And now I found you, I know you'll take me back to daddy." Big Ben swallowed an oath. He still stared at the girl. "See here, kiddy, ifvyou just walk and walk " he began, and then he saw the star tled look upon her face. And all his dreams of the future faded, ihtp blankness.y "Sure I'll take you home, kiddy," he said, and picking up the baby in his arms" he began to carry her , through the trees. Twelve miles it was and with every step Big Ben's heart became so much lead. He strode along, now setting down the little girl to let her pick some flower that had taken her fancy, now carrying her again. Pres ently, toward midday, he saw the lit tle head nod in his arms. Maisie was sleeping, worn out by the walk of the J - nignt. Big Ben was just reaching the" edge of the wood. The trees were becoming sparser. The hills dipped into the- level valley. The peniten tiary was only five miles away. And through the trees Big Ben could see the white and dusty highway that wound over field and mead until it passed under the grim brick walls, already looming ominously in the distance, the very incarnation of re lentless fate. Big Ben cursed himself for a fooL He lobked down at the little sleep ing child and laid her softly upon the grass. He took three steps backvjard and looked at her again. Maisie half opened her eyes and smiled. "Big Ben!" she murmured. Swallowing a curse, Big Ben strode to her and raised her in his arms again. After that he went doggedly-toward the high rodd. Presently he saw a horseman rid ing toward him. Big Ben swallowed hard. He hesitated, then with firm steps he walked straight for the beatr and its rider, who, as he ap proached, resolved himself intp the familiar form of the warden. Big Ben was halting now in front of the warden. Travis, who held a pistol in his hand. But he did not point it at Big Bed.' He let it fall back into the holster. There were tears In Travis' eyes as he took the little, sleeping girl out of Big Ben's arms and held her across his saddle. He said not a. word, but motioned to Big Ben to walk in front of his horse. Dogged, silent, but strangely hap py, Big Ben led the procession back toward the walls of the jail. Sud denly he heard an exclamation be hind him. "Big Ben!"houted the warden. Big Ben looked around. Travis had reined In his horse and was look ing alternately from Big Ben to Maisie's face. "You darned fool!" said the war den. "Big Ben!" j"Sir!" 9MmmmS4