The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-03-31


openly boosted that theirs had found
storage In an unoccupied servants
room. Then there came along one
Worth Davenal, and the complexion
of the four young girlish lives was vi
tally affected by the occurrence.
He was a bright, manly young fell
low. What pleased the Winsted girls
was that he was reputed rich. He
was the favored nephew OF a prosper
Gus city stockbroker Esther set her
cap for him at once. This caused
bitter break in her relation with Mary
and Nettie, and the harmony Of the
little coterie of cousins was broken in
upon.
Esther was pretty. but bold as well.
She simply started out to appropriate
the distinguished visitor to the town
all to herself Young Davenal was.
however, no more attentive to her
than to the others. Alice greatly ad-
mired the manly. free-hearted fellow,
and from the first he seemed to enjoy
her company. Twice, however. once
because of necessary attention to
some pupils. and again when Mrs. Dali
ton fell i'll and wished some one to
keep her company Alice disappointed
Mr. Davenal in engagements. and this
seemed to nettle him II was possible
that Esther created some false i'm
preston in his mind as to the true
iacts of the case. At all events. he
became quite a regular escort to Es-
Their, and the Winsteds gave up the
contest.
Not so Alice. She felt that she had
stood aside too often to please Esther
and the others. She had time and
again sacrificed her pleasure for their
benefit. She had been more or less
drudge in their service. Now jeal-
ousy and petty scheming. she was GER
tain, was discTediting her with man
whose friendship she valued. She
wished to stand well in his eyes. The
opportunity to indicate herself came
she found herself alone on a rustic
garden bench with Mr.. Davenal.
She felt II her duty to tell him the
truth regarding the reasons why she
had broken her engagements witt
him. She was surprised TO see the
deep shadows that crossed his face
as she spoke.
81 was informed wrongly" he said.
his voice unsteady with some deep
emotion suddenly revealed. Il was
piqued at your Indifference. land
now It is too late!"
They were interrupted at that mo
ment TOO late"-for what? The
words rang in Alice's ears for hours.
Could It be possible that he had cared
for her. that he had been cajoled into
engaging himself to Esther. that now
his eyes were opened to the TRUTH
Before Alice could fathom the
depths OF the complication there came
strange and disturbing news. The
rich relative OF Worth Davenal had
plunged too deeply in his stock eI-
change speculationB, had lost his en-
tire fortune and both he and his pros
pective heirs were beggars.
Then came the climax Esther
turned against Worth in dIsdain. One
day he met Alice. He found her the
loyal friend she had proved to be.
She advised him. she encouraged him
when he sought work like the man
he was. Then true love shone forth.
They became engaged. At the end OF
the year. in a modest but happy home
they set up housekeeping amid the
sneers of Alice's three cousins con
corning those paupersi"
One day there came to the humble
cottage the executor of Uncle Rob
ert's estate.
Mrs. Davenal," he said. pleasantly.
with a glance at the portrait of her
dead relative occupying a prominent
place on the wall and well cared for,
81 see you still remember your uncle"
'T shall never forget him" declared
Alice. He was very good to me, and
I loved him dearly"
You are not like your cousins.
then" said the lawyer, Those three
other portraits have gone to the rub
bish heap. So have a special mis-
sion in coming here today"
Alice looked inquisitive and her hus'
band Interested.
by a private arrangement made
with myself" explained the lawyer
'I was to watch the manner in which
his portrait was cherished by his
nieces. To the one who showed
genuine interest in his gift, was to
give. at the end of two years, the sum
Of $4,000. That legacy you have
worthily won. and II is now at your
command"