Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-28
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BENNIE S. WILLIAMS
"PAID IN FULL

Mr. Rankin was wealthy man Oujet
disposition, cold grey eyer, white mus
tache. and you have him. He spent
most or his time at his own leisure
True, no attended diligently to the
small business he possessed, but his
secretary saw to tho best proportion. A
supper now and then, theatre or
peasant evenings stroll were his sole
snJoSmehts Everyone liked Mr. Ran
ktn, particularly political people. blu,
hed retired from that long ago. II
proved exciting at intervals. and be-
shrank from excitement.
This evening. cool. summer one. he
decided for quiet stroll 1t was lust
.~!iight. He felt fine. with an EXCEL
lent Havana In his mouth and swing
ing his cane carelessly as he walked
along. The lights on broadway blinked
ana spluttered. the clans OF cars. tho
rumble OF vehicles and hurrying throng
OF homecoming working men consti
tuted strong temptation. But Incl
dentaily he felt inclined 10 respond.
quiet seat In the park would be salts
factory. He was In good humor to-
night, and as igure emerged from tho
lamplight he studied It absently. II
slouched painfully along. partly with
y
cap and his chin buried in ragged
shirt. When abreast Of our friend he
stumbled and would have fallen head
long had not he caught him and assist
cd him to seat. Starvation was writ
ten plainly on the gaunt, drawn feat
n t, and the slim droopsd composure.
Fifteen minutes later found them in
Lewis's cafe. one eating greedily, tho
other tilted back regarding him
thoughtfully through the clouds OF
smoke. Finally. with an appeased air
the tramp followed suit. and soon both
were conversing as old friends Be.
tween matches Of cigar puns and at
Mr.. Rankin's earnest request, he un-
folded his life story. Not q rich bach
elor. but in fairly comfortable means
he dweft contentedly In a retised part
OF tho city. Accidentally he made the
acquaintance OF q bright young fellow
and the two developed a warm, mutual
friendship. Wine, money and women
put his new friend In a hole and be-
fore many months had passed he found
himself greatly in debt. Kindly, but
with fatherly advice. he paid these for
him. But OF no avail Once again he
fell and this time his, kindness shrank
Aftor a bitter quarrel the two parted
enemies. Through some unacoountable
means the young man succeeded In Sc
curing admission to his private papers
and before long, but not until after
hard fight, he stole or was awarded the
small estate. In this way, swindled of
all his possessions. he went out into the
world, suspicious OF men but only to
be distrusted in turn. Thus II was that
Mr.. Rankin had found him, and phonins
for his car. left him profted with suf-
iicient money for a nights lodging and
directions to the place. Next day II
was all In the papers "Mr. Rankin.
well-known citizen, died during the
night: The belief was that the long,
feared heart failure had taken effect"
On the table In the drawing-roo lay
letter and beneath the seal was n neat
~ written message.
MY Dear Friend.-I am writing this
in intense pain, but with one sole OBJ
ject In view; that Of asking your for
giveness. am your faithless friend.
BY the tricks OF time you failed to rec
ognize me- Present this to my lawyer
and with his help I now pay in full that
which I unlawfuliy took, and take
pleasure In willing my entire fortune.
Once again begging forgiveness am.
Yours hopefully.
'R. ]. RANKIN"
Composed by Alvin Hattorf.