The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1914-04-18


friend whom he had not seen for years,
man he very much liked.
See here, Hull" spoke Dudley Cra-
gin, I'm leaving in the morning. Can't
you put IN the time showing me around
the old clubs we used 10 go to years
ago?"
Reluctantly and from courtesy only.
Merton agreed to join Cragin at his
hotel an hour later. He went to Mr.
Worthington's room. put his writing
aside, donned his best hat and tie and
prepared to leave to keep his appoint
ment
memory of old time late hours
caused Merton to open drawer where
he had noticed revolver. He took
out the weapon and as he did so he
was somewhat startled to notice a lit
tie package of fresh new bank notes
There were ten OF them, each for one
hundred dollars.
At first flush the thought that came
TO Merton was of the risk and care
lessness involved on the part of his
employer in leaving all this money
in so unprotected a situation. He
started to place the money in the safe.
Then a whimsical idea came into his
mind. He was inclined to make a show
OF prosperity with Cragin, who now
lived in his home town. Merton placed
the money in his pocket book.
THE bills are safer with me than
in that desk drawer" he reasoned. Il
will masquerade as Croesus for one
evening at least!"
That evening was rather bore and
burden to Merton. This was because
there was some drinking in the liter
/ airy clubs they visited. In this Merton
did not partake and was not in har.
mony with the old-time revelry. He
saw that his reformation produced a
good impression on Cragin, and as he
flashed the one hundred dollar bills
promiscuously Merton was assured
that he would be reported on the road
to wealth, and smiled whimsically over
the idea.
Worthington apartments that he made
dismaying and fearful discovery. His
pocket book was gone. Lost or stolen
It was out OF his possession, and
Ruin! disgrace! perhaps arrest! All
night long he tossed on sleepless
bed. He wandered the streets aimless
ly all that day. At eventide. wretched
haggard. desperate. he went to Eva
and told her all the truth.
She was only sorrowful. The ques
tion OF replacing the lost money was
the course honorable. inevitable. She
made Merton draw his savings from
the alk. she added enough Of her own
to make up one thousand dollars. Then
Merton purchased ten new one hun
dred dollar bills and placed them In
the desk drawer.
The luckless twain bore their secre,
burden courageously. Eva was more
lovable than ever, but Merton never
for a moment ceased to reproach him
self for his foolhardy exploit.
I'VE will just build all over again,
said Eva sweetly.
Somehow Mr.. Worthington contin
ued to require the services of Merton
! ne llHully Hldue du dIIduStAhShl MhSie
ne was to remain as his private secre
tary at a liberal stipend.
One day month later Mr.. Worth
ington was cleaning up his desk. Mer
ton stared hard as he saw him throw
the money contents of the drawer into
the waste basket with the words:
BE sure you burn up all that truck
Hull"
"But-that money!"
"Oh, that isn't money" replied hi
employer with q smile. Some speci
men counterfeits in celebrated cas-
we shall write up for my 'Criminology
volume some day"
But Merton rescued the money-hi
and Eva's-and the happy weddini
i was no longer postponed. and the &c
we're lesson he had learned made o
Berton Hull a stronger. better man.
Copyright. 1914. by w. q. Chapman)