The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-05-04
SOMETHING TANGIBLE"
BY MAY BENNETT EARLE.

something tang1Dle! pronounced
Richard Thorpe, with 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 I 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 a little handsome
young fellow, with clear ingenious
face well burned by a tropical sun.
Sir" he said, arising to his feet,
Il come to you in good faith from Mr..
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
a fall from the effects of which he
died Before his last moments ar
rived he called me to his bedside and
gave me the message have just de-
livered.'
"The fantasy of disordered brain!"
remarked Thorpe.
II cannot think that" responded
Vernon Davis. Mr.. 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 bust
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.
"It was destroyed in the fire."
Have you proofs of any?"
"Only moral evidence. Sir, I am
going to appeal to you in a new way.
The last anxious thought of Mr.. Travis
was concerning his daughter, Bertha.
The disaster of the fire makes her
penniless. She is left, young girl
at school, without a dollar or relative
in the world"
"She cannot expect any assistance
from me-" declared the hard-hearted
merchant. II don't deal in sentiment.
I 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
priced than fortune-Iove.
ST shall leave the school at once"
decided Bertha, In her resolute. wom-
anly way.
Orphans both, struggling each for
a 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 a travelling
salesman.
Inn Inn Ar{h n ,N& 81 &t10
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 I 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 a tall thin
man and spoke our language broken
ly. He looked as though he had been
through long period of illness or
hardship Ee was so anxious to meet
you and I so pitied his wearied for
lorn condition, that 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 gladstone eyes he
sprang to his feet.
Master, young master!" he cried
in thrilling tone, you thought me
dead-or false? It is neither Ahi
were my kind old friend. Mr.. 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-
planned to Bertha that the man was
an old employee of her father in Cey-
Ion, 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
"Mr Thorpe" spoke Vernon, here
is former employee Of Mr. Travis,
who also believes that there was some
partnership agreement between you."
SOP" snarled Thorpe, well, I abb
solutely deny it"
Then" observed Vernon, 'let me
advise you that Mr.. Travis staked this
man on venture that has turned out
very richly. presume he is able to
return from the investment some
thing like hundred thousand dol
lars