The Topeka state journal., 1916-07-25
EVENING STORY
Dereforth's Discovery.
BY Nellie Cravey Gillmore.)
.elwick was down and out.

| RelWick was down and out.
| The prospect of a night on one of
the park benches. supperless, break
fastless, with another long day of hope
less trudging the streets in a vain
quest for work. brought a whimsical
twist to his lips, sent his heart plung-
ing thousands of fathoms in his
! breast.
! Pausing abruptly before one of tho
glittering White Way cafes he medi-
tated grimly for a moment, then bold
ly entered. 1t was hardly likely that
any of his old friends would recog-
i nize him now, bearded, broken, re-
duced in flesh and finance--almost
''seedy." Indifferent to the score of
curious glances leveled at him from
| eyes that were familiar enough chad
they known it), he walked the full
length of the room and addressed
himself to the head waiter. He had
| tried everything else, and here, at
! least, was a forlorn chance.
But the SNUG Dorkins--once so
eager for the wealthy Relwick's favors
stared at him coldly, with the curt
announcement that they had more
help already than they could use.
! Relwick turned away a little hope
lessly.
He had covered less than a block
when he was arrested by light touch
on his arm. He turned, startled.
A pompous, well-groomed little man
was holding out a crisp yellow bill.
Relwick drew back involuntarily.
Pardon me, sir, but die you drop
this moment ago? 1 saw you pull
out your handkerchief. and
The other smiled. shook his head.
Thank you, not is not mine" He
started off, but his new acquaintance
intercepted him at the crossing.
Thank you, my friend. for your
honesty. 1t is rare thing to meet
l. i
condition makes the contrast even
more striking. AS a matter of fact,
just took the bill out of my own pocket
Ito see if you were to be tempted.
4 We-my young daughter and myself
were back there in the cafe while
ago when you came in and applied
for work. Barbara is head over ears
in philanthropy just now-its her
fad-and she insisted that I follow
you up and Investigate
Relwick flushed uncomfortably. 'I
appreciate your interest, sir, but am
not asking for charity-yet. All 1
want is a chance!"
And all 1 want" remarked Dere-
forth enthusiastically, SIS an honest
business force. Would you consider
the position of-janitor?
Relwick's eyes frightened. mo
work is too humble for me right now,
bed"
Then come to the office at six in
the morning. Here is my card, with
} the address," He hesitated a second.
then dove into his pocket and drew
I forth a two-dollar note. "A days pay
{ in advance. You may find need for
it tonight. I shall expect you, then?"
Relwick nodded and they parted.
Promptly at the appointed hour, he
made his appearance at the offices of
, Dereforth s. Co. To his surprise. the
pompous little man of the night before
reached there but a few moments
later.
Early to bed and early to rise" he
greeted him cordially. That is why
1 am the manager of this business to-
day; that is the way I mean to hold
on. Now to business!"
Three days later Relwick found
himself elevated to the position of
! clerk. Two weeks after that the as
,, again promoted.
There was no doubt that Dereforth
was eminently pleased with his dis
coyery.' Soon he began to take a
keen personal interest in him also, and
invited him often to his home. In
, those few weeks of association he had
. learned that Relwick belonged to the
old New York family of that name,
; that he had struck out for himself
when almost boy, making a fortune
in some western mining business, that
reverses had followed and that every
) cent of his money had been sunk in
!, the attempt to develop worthless veins.
This had driven him back home. after
half a score of years, in the hope that
,, he could make fresh start and gather
! sufficient funds to reopen the mining
project.
, Barbara Dereforth was an only
! daughter. The first time Relwick saw
her he fell in love with her. But
> Richard, her foster brother. perceiv-
, ing with the eyes of jealousy what
the girl herself had hardly guessed,
r Host little time in acquainting Rel
: wick with the trutn-that his mar
! riage to Barbara was an understood
: thing as soon as she had reached her
: majority. And, accustomed to self
repression, the assistant bookkeeper.
: though inwardly eating his heart out,
t showed only the mask of conventional
friendship and polite courtesy to the
girl who, in spite of herself, gave every
+ evidence of a far deeper interest in
! Relwick than she had ever shown for
her selfish, adopted brother.
, And so things went on, smooth
enough to all outward appearances
/ but inwardly turbulent.
r In course of time, Relwick was
E made head bookkeeper. Richards an
a tagonism blazed at this time into open
rebellion-toward Relwick.
8 Mr.. Derefortht on the eve of an
out-of-town trip, summoned the book
n keeper to his desk. II shall be absen;
i from the city a couple of days. Rel
| WICK L nave decided TO IedVS the
settlement of all important matters in
/, your hands. I wish to show you the
combination to my private safe.
feel quite satisfied to have man like
yourself in charge
Three days later, RelWick was again
I | summoned TO his employers office.
The older man held in his hand a
crisp ten-dollar bill. Thank you
: very much for the loan of this, Rel
I wick. Sit down. / want a few words
with YOU" His face was rather pale
v his eyes contracted.