The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-04-22
The WINNER
BY AUGUSTUS C. sheRwiN.

and we will now proceed to the di-
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 q
pile of documents and a check book
Il have brought you all together, !"
be 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.
"Tll 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.
900 cash"
"H'm!" observed Claudius gravely,
with vast political future ahead Of
me, the ready cash will best help me
reach the destined goal of my ambi-
ton
Very good" nodded Mr.. Dale.
And you, Monty?"
81" replied Montgomery with short
and snappy precision expect to re-
ceive a generals commission in time.
The money will help me get it."
And you, Hank?"
II am devoted to club life, In debt
and need fixed cash income, my good
father" he said, so fancy the ready
money would suit me best
"Of course I'll take the old home, if
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 a young
man as getting married. Now then,
to the first one Of you who takes a
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 his 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 meant-Miss Dalia Bliss, not a
mile away. 1t was said she was to
have half 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.
Henry's turn followed. He fancied
he was irresistible and languidly in
forme his brothers that he believed
he would take the girl on a 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, unostentatious
Jack to the end of the chapter, direct
ing some men in parking roadway
running through the estate, looking
over in the direction of the Bliss home
had noted a blue ribbon futtering
from one of its windows He quietly
left the direction of the workmen to
one of their number. In 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 a confidant of him,
and pour into the willing ears the
story of her persecution by three great
,vergrown boys!
And such nice brothers of yours
hey are she told Jack.
What terrible escape they have
lad in evading the wiles of young
ady who is not duly awed by their
and Importance" smiled
lack
1t was the next morning that the
hree city brothers were ready to de-
,art 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
'oys."
Surely, son." responded Mr.. Dale.
You will need some money, l sup
ose?"
mo, have enough for the one pur- ,
base intend to make" assured Jack
It's a ring, father" and he darted 8
easing glance at the lawyer, the SOL I
Ter and the fop-"a ring for Miss 6