Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-04-01
NO.. 3.
The WINNER
BY AUGUSTUS q. SHERWIN.
Copyright, 1914, by w. G. Chapman


vision of the spoils!"
His three elder sons, Henry, Claud
and Montgomery, looked impressed
and eager. His youngest, Jack, smiled
in half pleased interest.
The four sons sat at table facing
their father, who had at his elbow a
pile of documents and a check book.
II have brought you all together"
he now announced, ito tell you that.
having all Of you reached mans es.
tate, it is time that you should assume
some personal independence and re-
sponsibility. I'm not going to leave
my estate SO that there will be a
family squabble over it. I'm going to
divide it up. Here. Now. Fairly"
Claud, the lawyer who had changed
his name to Claudius, because he
fancied it sounded more classical,
pricked up his ears and looked serious.
I'll tell you at the start" pursued
the indulgent father, that whoever
takes Idlewild here, the family home,
will be the wise fellow in the end.
you can have your choice, Claud.
being the eldest-the home or $685..
600 cash.
"H'm!" observed Claudius gravely,
with vast political future ahead Of
me, the ready cash will best help mo
reach the destined goal of my ambi.
ton
Very good" nodded Mr. Dale.
And you, Monty"
a." replied Montgomery with short
and snappy precision expect to re-
ceiVe generals commission in time.
The money will help me get it."
And you, Hank
81 am devoted to club life, in debt
and need fixed cash income, my good
father he said, so fancy the ready
money would suit Inc best"
'Of course Ill take the old home, II
I'm lucky enough to deserve it," spoke
bluff honest Jack.
Stephen Dale darted a grateful, af.
fectionate glance at his youngest and
favorite son. He drew out the three
checks and passed them around.
"One word more" he spoke, as
their recipients arose to get them
cashed as quickly as possible.
There's something else. See here,
boys, my experience teaches me that
there's nothing so steadies young
man as getting married. Now then,
to the first one Of you who takes
wife | will give $4,000, to the second
$4,000, to the third, $4,000 and to the
last, $1,000. BY the way" he added,
a suggestive twinkle in mis- merry eye,
I'm thinking you won't have to look
far to find the prettiest heiress In the
country right nigh to hand"
Each one of the three knew whom
he mcant-Miss Dalia Bliss, not a
mile away. 1t was said she was to
have half a million in her own right.
1t was strange, but each one Of the
trio departed determined to call upon
the young lady in question and see
how the land lay.
Two mornings later Claud met Hen.
ry and Monty. He informed them that
he had called upon Miss Bliss the eve
ming previous. Her father had been
greatly interested in his long talk
about the law.
Then Monty in undress military uni.
form went to see the heiress.
Henrys turn followed. He fancied
he was irresistible and languidly in
formed his brothers that he believed
he would take the girl on chance.
Miss Bliss had beensdreadfully EN-.
barrassed at being taken by storm by
three impetuous suitors. Then she
had told them in her pretty. artless
way that she was already engaged.
About three o'clock one afternoon
Jack, plain, simple, transformations
Jack to the end of the chapter, direct
ing some men in parking a roadway
running through the estate, looking
over in the direction of the Bliss home
had noted a blue ribbon fluttering
from one of its windows. He quietly
left the direction of the workmen to
one of their number. In a few min
utes Jack had gained the hedge separ-
ating the, two estates.
Soon Dalia appeared. Certainly Jack
was her friend, that she should signal
him and now make confidant Of him,
and pour into the willing ears the
story Of her persecution by three great
overgrown boys!
And such nice brothers of yours
they are" she told Jack.
What terrible escape they have
had in eyading the wiles of young
lady who is not duly awed by their
grandeur and Importance" smiled
Jack
It was the next morning that the
three city brothers were ready to de-
part. They were just completing
breakfast when Jack made the re.
mark:
Father, If you don't mind, think
will run up to the city with the
boys"
Surely, son." responded Mr.. Dale.
you will need some money. ! sup
poser"
mo, have enough for the one pur.
chase intend to make" assured Jack. ;
Its a ring, father" and he darta(
teasing glance at the lawyer.
der and the fop-"a ri1f
Bliss. You see we haY(
for the last six -
"Ha! ha! y