The Tomahawk., 1917-06-28

! velope and addressed it to ''Jonn Ster-.
ling, NIapleton," where the old man
had told him "he 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 dozen
times that day he took from 1t the
photograph.
II won't mail it," he decided late
that afternoon. II just can't get away
from wanting to find out what bee this
eccentric John Sterling has got in his
bonnet" which was subterfugc, pure
and simple, for the old mans daughter,
Veronica, Rolfe was interested in,
II need 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 we'll validated in the way Of
| money possessions.
Rolfe strolled around the pretty viii
| lage and made 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 centered 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 Rolfc, and some wood land, re-
mote, worthless. and limited income
| from legacy the dead wife had left
| Veronica, but they had kept up appear
anccS under difficulties.
"PrOud as Lucifer, the old man u.s."
declared Rolfe's informant. HE
thinks his daughter worthy of a prince.
AS to Miss Sterling, she is the sweet
est, kindcst 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 a tcn-strike.'
GLOW is that?' pressed Rolfe.
"Why, he was gone to the city for
|
tcrdny. A lawyer friend Of his, MIR.
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
onicn. That will fetch the suitors
about her."
Rolfc walked on, n sudden brilliant
| II; mi nd n
it all in Il flnsll-JOhn Sterling was
scheming to marry off his daughter in
Il good way, and the milliOn-dollar
trust was the bait with which he was
to lure on 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 1luttered as he
stood face to face with his fate. He
knew it instantly, as those lovely eyes
met his own.
II have some papers belonging to
Mr.. Sterling" he said, and Veronica
invited him into the house, cas- her FL
Their would be home in half an hour"
John Sterling looked startled to find
the broker from the city in evidence.
He mysteriously besought ROlfe to
make no public mention Of his invest
ments." ROlfc was invited to tea. BY
the time he left the Sterling home he
and Veronica were rare good friends.
II didn't set the trap for yOu," OBJ
served Sterling, one day month later
the day that Rolfe asked him for
the hand OF his daughter. "Tm glad
to welcome you as my son-n-law,
though, for you wasn't after the mill
lion-doIlnr trust, but Veronica only.
the dear, sweet treasure that she is!''
ct concur in that sentiment" agreed
ROlfe Dawson enthusiastically.