1920 Cedrus Yearbook

1920 As Lost Sheep Return To The Fold -- Continued and Alice Rexlly. I am eighteen and my brother twenty-one." "You see," broke in James,"we are not here because of pleasure but it was a have-to case. I got to see father, I mean Bradley, before he died, and he told me to go to his old home in Denver and unlock a secret box where we would find our future. He told me where the box was and gave me the key." "Well," said Max,"you two have a nice long trip to get to Denver if it keeps storming very long." After dinner conversation became more general, and all of them felt that they knew each other better. Alice became the housekeeper, and the men looked after the dogs, cleaned a few guns, and did other little jobs that could be done inside the hut. The next morning when they awoke the outside world was very still. The dogs seemed to be impatient. The sun was shining, giving the snow piled against the windows a lighter hue. When they opened the door they found snow piled to the top. This meant work, and the men were soon at it. They dug a miniature canyon out a few yards and discoveerd that all that was visible of the hut was the chimney. They.spent the next week in clearing away the snow. As the snow was too deep to attempt a journey to the next trading center, Alice and James just settled down and made the best of things. The men soon started hunting and trapping and were not long in getting a good many furs. One day when the snow had nearly gone Alice asked her brother if he didn't think they should be moving on. He replied in the affirmative, so the next few days were spent in preparation for leaving. At last they were ready to leave the place which had become so nearly like home to them. Max went with them to Rocky Deluge, a hut five days' journey from their hut, and the nearest place where they could catch a train. When they were about to leave, hearty goodbyes and thanks were bestowed upon old Max for his kindness. They also asked him to find out what had become of their stepfather, Bradley, and all of his possessions there. James and Alice had to make many changes and stops before they reached Denver. Upon their arrival they went immediately to their old home in Denver and to the window of which Bradley had told them. They had quite a time finding any signs of a box, until James happened to spy a crack in the wood, and upon examining it found the piece loose. Suddenly a piece moved and revealed a key hole. He put in the key which Bradley had given him and turned it. Near the floor a drawer sprang out. There was nothing in it except an unsealed envelope. They opened it and found the following: "You children have been greatly wronged by me. When I took you from the state institution, I knew you, and also knew your parents. I ruined your father to such an extent that he was forced to leave you children for the state to support. Afterwards my conscience hurt me so badly that I got you out, but I told neither your folks nor you. Just be- fore we left Denver I was so distressed that I almost told you then, but the result was this note. I vowed that upon my death bed I would tell you where your parents are, and not until then. You will find them in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2221 South Benton street. You will also 56