Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1913-12-11

dead alcoholic taint permeated the air.
1t was plain to read the presentment
strong drink.
They aroused the unconscious man
through their own ministrations. but
broken. The doctor told them that
1t was bad fracture when he was
summoned by the humane Mr.. Vance.
They knew the next day all that
the young man cared to tell about
himself. His name was Adrian Noble
He had been turned away from his
fathers door on account of his drink
ing habits. He had wandered to Mall
den, in a muddled condition, had
fallen from n high sidewalk and here
he was-penniless. homeless and
friendless.
He told the story shanlefacedly as
he met the beautiful eyes Of Helen
fixed upon him sorrowfully, reproach-
fully.
"The penniless part of it needn't
worry you, if you are resolute to work
and reform" said Abner Vance in his
blunt, practical way. "As to being
homeless. you are welcome here till
you are better and we will be your
friends if you will let u.s.
In strange, subdued manner, the
young man grew into their family and
business lives. They fixed up a room
for him behind the playhouse stage
and when he got SO he could move
around on crutches placed him in
charge of the little ticket booth.
1rfa T@LI
fixed upon Helen as she practiced the
music for the entertainments He
rarely spoke to her, yet when she
was away from the family group he
would watch the door restlessly for
her reappearance.
When he could get around more
freely, Noble began to take a rare
interest in the business. He suggest
ed improvements in the character OF
the films. he was the distributor Of
some unique advertising that brought
in the audiences. He invented a
noise piano." as he called It, placed
behind the stage. AS the protector
threw scenes upon the screen, he gave
a vivid accompaniment that fairly
electrified the audiences.
Thus: a horse trotting. a railroad
bell ringing. storm, the clatter of a
wagon, blacksmith's anvil-by
means Of wooden. metal and whistle
accessories, timed just right, he illus.
trated the motion pictures in q new
way.
With brighter business prospects.
Mr.. Vance still longed for the big hall
in the center of the town. He talked
about it necessarily and it interested
Noble. One day the latter came to
Helen with grave, earnest face.
"Will you write something for me?"
he asked.
"Certainly-what is it?" inquired
Helen, flushing trifie under his clear
steady gaze.
"A temperance pledge. am
through with the old folly. want
your hand to inscribe tho promise
shall never break"
Two days later Noble disappeared
mysteriously from the playhouse.
Helen never dreamed she could so
miss him. He walked in upon them
just after the entertainment Saturday
night. new being In apparel and
manner.
There is the lease of the hall for
year, all paid for and made out in
your name" he said quietly, handing
a folded document to his host.
What does this mean?" stared the
astonished Mr.. Vance.
Il went to my father with that
pledge and truthful. manly story"
replied Noble. HE bade me return
to the true hearts of gold who had
wrought the miracle of my reforma
ton"
Mrs. Vance was crying /. her moth
orly, sympathetic way. Helen's eyes
beamed upon him. and in their glow.
ing depths Adrian Noble read the
sure promise OF lasting haven OF
love!
Copyright. 1913. by w. C. Chapman.)