The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-04-21

come forward VINO oilers to furnish
large capital to expand the business.
I've known for a long time of your for
mer business exp erience and ability
Now then, why don't you capitalize it?
You've been grub bing along on that
little place Of yours, earning mere
living. l want you to join me"
las an employee %
No, as a partner"
Paul was astonish he'd. AS his visitor
went on in detail as to his prospects
and plans there came to the lonely
widower something of his old time am
bition. The proposition was plain and
practicable 1t involved large quarters.
extensive advertising, efficient man
agement.
Many a time, during a period OF re
markable business success. Paul Riv-
ers thought with regret of that pow
erty-harassed period of his life when
he had crayed comforts for the dying
woman by his side.he could not afford
to purchase. Money flowed in to the
new firm. At the end of the fourth
year Paul was practically independent.
The business so expanded that he
was Obliged to go abroad once year
to buy goods II was on his return
from such a trip that his partner aft
er the usual warm friendly greetings,
said somewhat seriously:
81 have some bad news for you,
Rivers. Your relative who had charge
of your little daughter died during
your absence"
And Adeline?" inquired Paul anx-
iously.
81 hardly knew what to do about
her." explained his partner. However.
there appeared upon the scene a
widow, Mrs. Lyttleton, who resides
at Taunton. She offered to take
charge of the child until your return.
| found that she was an estimable lady
OF wealth and social standing. and
have received letters from Mrs Lyttle
ton weekly. reporting her little charge
contentCd and happy"
Tauntonl A slight sense Of sadness
momentarily clouded The mind of Paul.
The name OF that town where he had
first met ElOise Esmond, naturally
awakened poignant memories The
next day he went to see his little
daughter. AS he neared the residence
of Mrs. Lyttleton he discovered it to
be one of the finest in the place.
In the garden under a leafy shelter
we're three persons-two ladies' and
little Adeline The latter was seated
in the lap of one of the ladies', her
head reclining trustingly upon her
shoulder as fairy tale was being told
to her.
"Eloise-Miss Esmondi" breathed
Paul with thrill. What can she be
doing here2" and then his entrance
through the gateway was discovered
by little Adeline, who bounded joyous
ly forward to meet him.
"Oh. papal | have been so happy
here" she prattled-"so very happy
with dear, dear Aunty Eloise, who is
with us all of the time"
Stately. reserved. but her deep dark
eyes magnetic and beautiful as of yore.
Miss Esmond greeted her old time
friend graciously. Hers was a superb
calm. as she told frankly that all
through the years she had been inter
ested in keeping track of an old and
valued friend.
Il felt l had the right" she said.
land as to this little darling" and she
wound her arms fondly about Adeline,
oh, surely you are not going to take
her away from us?"
A sudden light Illuminated Pauls
mind. Only that morning his business
partner had told him that all the CAPT.
tai originally invested in their enter
prise had been repaid to the investor
a lady.
Was that lady Eloise Esmondi He
put blunt question.
Miss Esmond," he said steadily, 81
believe your kindly interest was the
means of starting me in business. Is
1t not true?"
For once the proud eyes dropped,
the calm face flushed deeply. but there
came no reply.
'Why-why have you done all this
for me?" fiuttered Paul.
Still silence, the graceful form all
tremulous now. and then the heart of
Paul Rivers hoped, and later he knew
that he had been loved-silently, ses
cretly, strongly, since the day he had
met this stanch, loyal woman.
Copyright. 1915. by W. G. Chapman)
L.