A Dawn in the Desert: A Short Story

"A Dawn in the Desert" is a short story published in 1903.

The characters John Harley, Jimmy Grayson and Barton are the same characters appearing in Altsheler's novel "The Candidate." This could easily have been made into a chapter of "The Candidate," had Altsheler so desired.

Harley recognizes someone from his past, Harry Davenport, now known as "Bill". Bill has dropped out of society and is effectively hiding in a dreary desert town. Harley resolves to bring Bill back into a full life and takes unusual steps to bring it about.

It's a story about compassion.

There are three illustrations.