The Spectator., 1915-04-06
"SOMETHIHG TANGIBLE"
 By MAY BENNETT EARLE.

Richard Thorpe with a self satisfied smack of his fat sensual lips and gloating glance around the establish ment of which he was proprietor
 Something tangible, young man, he repeated property, the visible evidence of things ma terial. That's my motto and business precept. Something l can weigh and sell You come to me with an airy fairy story Where's evidence, sir, the documentary evidence?" His visitor looked embarrassed, con fused and disappointed all at the same time. He was little handsome young fellow, with a clear ingenious face we'll burned by tropical sun. Sir" he said, arising to his feet, 'I come to you in good faith from MT. Travis in far away Ceylon. He was my employer, my true friend until he died. He was your faithful repre- sentative there, as you know. When the fire came that swept away your entire establishment in Ceylon, in try ing to save your property he sustained
 
 died Before his last moments ar rived he called me to his bedside and gave me the message I have just de- livered.'
 The fantasy of disordered brain." remarked Thorpe.
 q cannot think that" responded Vernon Davis MT Travis was too true to deceive and his mind was per fectly clear All his thoughts were of his orphan daughter. He told me to see you and recall to your attention the fact that when he went to Ceylon he was to be considered a one-fourth partner in that branch of your busi- ness, provided he made it succeed He did succeed. He waited for you to make some recognition of the fact. He had written agreement that GOV cred the subject"
 Produce it." suggested Thorpe.
 Tt was destroyed in the fire
 Have you proofs of any?'
 "Only moral evidence Sir. I am going to appeal to you in new way. The last anxious thought of MT. Travis was concerning his daughter, Bertha. The disaster of the fire makes her penniless. She is left young girl at school. without dollar or relative 1 in the world"
 "She cannot expect any assistance from me-" declared the hardhearted merchant II don't deal in sentiment. want something tangible in my deal ings. sir. Good day"
 Within the next few hours Vernon located Bertha at the school where she had been placed by her father. He was surprised, pleased at the way in which the brave little soul took her rudely announced poverty. He was attracted, nay, more. fascinated by her pure, gentle spirit. He had lost in the effort to secure to Bertha her rights. He had gained, new and fervent. that which was far more prized than fortune-love.
 'I shall leave the school at once" decided Bertha. in her resolute. wom- anly way.
 Orphans both, struggling each for living. the pleasantest hours of his life came to Vernon Davis during the ensuing few months. Bertha found congenial work in an office. Vernon refused position with Thorpe and secured employment as travelling salesman.
 One evening Bertha met him at the door of the house where she was liv- ing with more than ordinary eager ness and excitement
 "A strange thing has happened" she said "A man, a stranger l think from Ceylon. called here an hour ago. He had been looking for you at your boarding house and they must have directed him here. He Is tall thin man and spoke our language broken ly He looked as though he had been through a long period of illness or hardship. He was so anxious to meet you and I so pitied his wearied for lorn condition, that I asked him in, knowing you would be here later"
 Vernon Davis closed the door and advanced towards the half recumbent figure He touched the arm of the sleeper. The latter aroused. He stared for a moment confusedly at his dis turber Then with gladsome eyes he sprang to his feet.
 Master. young master!" he cried in thrilling tone, you thought me dead-or false? It is neither An! were my kind old friend, MT. Travis, here to learn the glad news I bear."
 What the strange visitor had to tell took over an hour. Both left the house. but not until Vernon had ex- plained to Bertha that the man was an old employee of her father in Cey lon. who had sought him out with a message from that far away country.
 The next day Vernon and the Cey- lonese appeared at the office of the merchant,
 MT Thorpe" spoke Vernon, here