Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
EVENING STORY
THE GIRL FROM HOME.
BY Stacy e. Baker.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy PreSs.)

William F. Mason, esquire, was
ambitious. In early youth he left his
home town for the city, where his
veneer of country greeness gradually
wore away-and with it the heart
pang that came when memory swung
before him picture of Faith Darrow,
who, back where the grass was green,
prayed for his success, waiting anx-
iously for letters.
: william F. Mason meant to make
something of his life. The slim maid,
so appropriately named Faith, was
and always would be his ideal or
beauty-but Mason couldn't analyze
his feelings. He knew, after the in
satiable city had gained its favorite
throathold, that the girl back home
could never fit into his scheme OF
things.
/ Mason was a broad -shouldered fell
low and his keen, gray eyes had q
habit of staring into the Elusive orbs
of opportunity, allowing their owner
to avail himself of what secrets he
had therein. Mason was a student
of men, and conditions as men make
them. Chance took him first into q
business Office in Wall street. The
brokerage business appealed to him.
Eight years afterward he was quoted
a millionaire and owned his seat on
change. Back home weary-eyed
little maid still waited.
The winter of the panic was q
notable one. Men with the midas
touch found their power waning and
their accumulated treasures turning
to dross. Stocks deprecated and
money vanished alike into the SOCKS
of the frightened farmers and the
strong boxes of the bankers. Through
it all, Mason-now known as wiz
ard" Mason-was cool and collected.
II his fortunes were on the wane he
was stoically calm through the siren
uous shrinking process. No one heard
him complain.
Miss Margaret Wendall was the
daughter of Wallace Wendall, Ameri-
cas- champion heavyweight financier.
She was also the fiancee of Mason.
Miss Wendall was stately Dru'
nette, with any natural fire or az
lection long since toned out OF her
by a calculating mamma. Now, in
the stress of strenuous conditions,
the girl vainly strove to solve the
enigma of Mason's calmness. To her
eyes his straight, broad shoulders
were carried as proudly erect as here
tofore and his manner was as force
full and compelling as ever. And yet
all this might be the thin coverlet OF
failure. Wall street was topsy-turvy;
millionaires were the marks picked
by the sharpshooters Of fate. Miss
Wendall waited At the first signs
of worry Mason must be given his
freedom; Margaret Wendall must be
mistress Of millions.
Mason was worried. His affairs
were in a precarious condition, and
much of his money was invested IN
shrinking securities. 1t all depended
upon the markets ability to right
itself within reasonable time. His
face was mask. He knew what the
consequences would be II he showed
fear for the future in the presence
of his f1ancee. He did not expect love.
He knew that the nuptials to be cele-
brated in the spring were not the
fruition Of cupid's philanderings.
Head down, Mason, crossing lower
Broadway one bleak December day,
was given another shock. A light
hand was laid on his arm as he
touched the curb, and he absent
mindedly raised his eyes to stare In
to the face of-Faith Darrow.
"You!" Impulsively the explana.
ton burst from his surprise-parted
lips. .