Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-05-02

his evening paper. Hang 1t
ALL Fred and his wife are
going away again! This is the third
annual disappearance they have made,
leaving town in the spring and not re-
turning until fall. Where in creation
do they go? Fred must make money
somehow. He never asks me for cent
and lives like nabob during the win
ter. It's too much for me-"
Mr.. Layton frowned heavily as he
concluded his soliloquy. His keen mind
and indomitable will had enabled him
to solve the difficult problems Of life
and had raised him from the plane Of
poverty to that of great wealth. Not
withstanding his shrewdness, however,
he had not been able to fathom the Sc
cret of his sons ways and means.
Fred Layton had finished his college
course and gained renown on the grid
Iron and in other athletic sports, but he
had failed utterly III his studies and
had announced his intention Of marry
Ing Miss Edna Norris, pretty girl,
DuC dec1Qedly poor.
But Mr.. Layton had planned that his
son should wed the daughter Of his
partner, Miss Matte Walton, and thus
succeed to great wealth and the entire
control of an established business.
This difference Of opinion between ia
Their and son led to stormy interview,
during which Mr.. Layton declared that
If Fred married Miss Morris the pa
rental purse would be closed against
him forever. With a shrug Of his
broad shoulders, the young man had in
timated that he could take care Of him.
self and did not propose to ask his IA
ther for financial aid.
A month later the young people were
quietly married. They established them
selves in n coy little fiat in fash
ionable neighborhood. They lived well,
dressed we'll, entertained their friends
and to all appearances were prosper
Gus.
Mr.. Layton naturally thought this
condition of affairs could not last. and
he smiled grimly as he thought Of the
conditions he would make when his
son came to him for aid. As the
months passed by without such an APP
peal the old gentleman grew more and
more mystified.
he made many inquiries as to his
sons source of revenue, but only dis
covered that when Fred and his wife
returned from their summer outing
they brought back snug sum in cash
with them. Mr.. Layton scanned the
papers diligently to find out where
they went. He inquired at the post
office for their summer address and
even telephoned to the owner of the
fat but no, knowledge could be gained.
MT. and Mrs. Fred Layton disappeared
as completely for time as if the
earth had swallowed them.
The father grew restless and nerv-
GUS. his digestion became impaired,
and he went from place to place upon
the plea of regaining his health, but in
reality in the hope of solving the mys-
terry about his son. All Ia vain.
II can't stand this any longer, doc
tor" declared Mr.. Layton one day
when his physician called. II must
find out where Fred goes and what he
does. l suppose it is mere curiosity,
but l must fathom the boys secret.
I've been used to solving problems and
can't endure failure
I'm sorry can't help you, Mr.. Lay
ton" replied DR.. Brooks, "but il you
don't stop this rowing about from place
to place, eating all sorts Of food, you'll
be dead in another year. Go up to the
Mont Alta House, in the Alleghenies.
and stay a month. was there last
year, and the table was excellent, aud
the air and water are life giving"
The Mont Alta" repeated Mr.. Lay
ton. I've heard of the place, but it
didn't amount to much few years
ago
Its under q new management now