The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-06-23

velope and addressed it to John Ster-
ling, Mapleton," where the old man
had told him che hailed FROM" The
documents were Of no particular value,
but Rolfe decided to mail them to
their owner. He placed the envelope
in his pocket unsealed. Half a dozen
times that day he took from it the
photograph.
81 won't mail It," he decided late
hat afternoon. "I just can't get away
from wanting to find out what bee this
eccentric John Sterling has got in his
bonnet" which was subterfuge, pure
and simple, for the old mans daughter,
Veronica, Rolfe was interested in.
II need u little run out into the
country, anyhow" he deluded himself
into believing, and the next morning
he was on his way to Mapleton. Time
and expense did not mean a great deal
to Rolfe Darwin, for he was more
than well validated in the way of
money possessions.
Rolfe strolled around the pretty viii
lage and made a few casual inquiries
as to Mr.. John Sterling. He learned
that the old man had lived in the town
for over thirty years, had lost his wife
and fortune, but his great hopes and
ambition conferred around his daugh-
ter. Father and child were highly es-
teemed, but socially had lost some of
their prestige since the former fortune
of the old man had dwindled. There
was the old homestead, however, a gOs-
sip told ROlfe, and some wood land, re-
mote, worthless, and Il limited income
from a legacy the dead wife had left
Veronica, but they had kept up appear
ances under difficulties.
proud as Lucifer, the old man is"
declared Rolfe's informant. HE
thinks his daughter worthy of a prince.
est, kindest creature in the town. AL
ways helping somebody with kind
words, and out of her little store of
money, too. He hopes to marry her
to some millionaire. She has no such
proud ideas. They say, though, that
the old man has made q ten-strike."
How is that?" pressed Rolfe.
"Why, he was gone to the city for
two weeks, and came back only yes
terday. A lawyer friend of his, Mr..
Morse, gave it out that Mr.. Sterling has
made an investment to a large amount
and has nearly one million dollars in
securities and land in trust for Yer.
1pg1, uVI,A ,,;n F,+1h tho .,,ftara
about her"
Rolfe walked on, a sudden brilliant
light shining upon his mind. He saw
it all in a flash-JOhn Sterling was
scheming to marry off his daughter in
q good way, and the million-dollar
trust was the bait with which he was
to lure IN the prospective husband.
"My father is not at home" spoke
the original of the photograph, as
ROlfe presented himself at the Sterling
home, and his heart t1uttered as HI
stood face to face with his fate. HI
knew it instantly, as those lovely eye
met his own.
81 have some papers belonging t
Mr.. Sterling" he said, and Veronic
invited him into the house, "as her fu
Their would be home in half an hour,
John Sterling looked startled to fint
the broker from the city in evidence
He mysteriously besought Rolfe t
make no public mention of his "invest
ments." Rolfe was invited to tea. B,
the time he left the Sterling home h
and Veronica were rare good friends.
81 didn't set the trap for you" oh
served Sterling, n day a month late
the day that Rolfe asked him 70
the hand of his daughter. I'm gla,
to welcome you rs my s%On-in-laW
though, for you wasn't after the mi
%llon-dOllar trust, but Veronica onl!
2 the dear, sweet treasure that she is
81 concur in that sentiment" agree
Rolfe Dawson enthusiastically.