The Lamar register., 1916-01-19
LOVE ON RIVERSIDE
BY KEITH KENYON.


New York. Weldon prided himself
upon his utter lack OF sentiment. He
lived on West End avenue, with his
mother and two sisters. He had sue
ceeded to his fathers place in the
firm at the latters death, and was al
ways alluded to as Junior Weldon.
He had never known want or worry.
He was a rather stolid, clean-shayen,
healthy young fellow, with a sense OF
humor and no enemies.
Every evening after dinner It was
his custom to take short stroll with
his two blue ribbon terriers along Riy-
erside drive. And into this quiet
hour. one night in October. there in
truded the scream of a woman.
Weldon stopped and waited. 1t had
come from the strip of park below the
drive. Almost Immediately he saw a
girl running along the path, and as
he looked she beckoned to him family.
The stairs were at One Hundred and
Second street With the dogs at his
heels. he sprinted back and reached
her side as she stood leaning against
tree. white as death and half uncon-
scious.
What's the matter?" he demanded.
My father" she breathed. Il am
afraid he is dead"
Weldon did not quite realize that
he was supporting her as he led her
back to the seat half hidden by the
tall shrubbery. Some way. too. he was
catching her broken words-there had
been no work. they were without food
or money, her father had been very
I'll. he wished to die.
Don't worry" he told her. "Ill look
after everything"
Which, after all, was only his in
stinct of efficiency. He was used to
looking out for everything. and felt
that he could handle any situation,
even this. But as he stood over the
old man, with his handsome. highbred
face and closed eyes. he had his first
lesson in what life may do to it's chill
dren.
Hes not dead" he assured her.
listening to the faint heartbeats. Its
exhaustion"
Starvation" tho girl insisted bit
terly.
"cAuOu Saw u pOllCtIlhn hppIOdtu-
ing. Just how he did 1t he never quite
remembered. but taxi was hailed and
he had both of them. the girl and her
father. placed in II. and took them
straight to his home 1t was an ad-
venture. the first he had ever run into.
and It interested him keenly.
Viola Mclean, she told them her
name was. They had lost their home
in Maryland and had come North.
thinking to find some sort OF employ
ment Her father had been a me.
chanical craftsman. His health had
failed. and she could not leave him.
While her father was slowly gaining
his health in an upper chamber, with
a good trained nurse to care for him,
Viola tried to make herself useful to
Mrs. Weldon. The two daughters were
in college, and gradually the old lady
began to rely on her Junior" saw.
and smiled to himself And the days
drifted by for a month. until one eve
ming. as he was ready for his walk
she followed him out into the wide
entrance hall. dressed for walking
May go with you?"
Rather" He held the door open
and they went out together. Would
you like to walk or driver
oh. walk. | don't want to drive
l only wanted a chance to speak to
you-seriously.'
Go ahead" His eyes rested on her
smusedly. 1t was the unacceptable mo
ment. he knew. and he had prepared
himself for it.
Il want to know where | can get
work. You have been so good to me
and to father. but | must work and
pay 1t back. I'm strong now. you
know. and | want to. He worries con
stantly for the South. and his home
there and friends. I'm hoping some
how can get him back"
IF you remained here and worked
who would he go to-"
His sister-my Aunt Catherine
She has a tiny place near Belair, and
he would be quite contented with her
| could send him money"
What would you do here?"
Don't you think l would make q
good social secretary? OF course. 10
do anything l could; but would like
that. asked your mother"
What did she tell your"