Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-21
The Daily
Short Story
THE HELPER.
By Myrtle Rarirnger.

about expresses it."
1t did, indeed. for although the s,,r
sion covered human being. the sa-s.
Warren Boyd, was one of thoso sue
sterling natures that made ona $50 a.s
for sentiment and delicacy In descrshA
ing him. He was passing down ~.
street engrossed in sad and ser,oas
thoughts, and his bearing was thu, -
man carrying heavy burden
Il like and respect the fellow ~.
magnate continued, but he is too doc.
in for me to help. It's pity. thou,h
some strong financing power conls
not come to his aid. His protect !.
sane, worthy, and its execution vou,a
| be a credit to the town"
Capable, intelligent, not vet th,,t,
Warren Boyd felt like knight erran,
endorsed at the first round in W.
tournament of effort and ambition H.
powers OF vision were strong. his
ideals high and all his sympathjSs
along the line of concrete good to hu.
manity. He had owned a full square
OF ground in Lowden, and had aimes
| to make it nucleus for an institu-
ton where homeless or abandoned
| children, wherever found, should fnS
a refuge amidst country air, and yer.
nal surroundings.
Boyd donated the land He pro.
posed building forty thousand-do.
lar structure, comfortable and modern
in all of its appointments. He reliAd
on outside donations to operate this
| asylum, and the promise of these from
social settlement and religious centers
was encouraging. Finally he found
a benevolently inclined man of means
who agreed to advance the money
needed, accepting as security a bond
issue covering site and improvements
The money was paid into the local
bank as needed. The walls Of the
building began to rise. Then came a
terrible blow to the sanguine Boyd. He
was dazed when the banker Informed
him that his philanthropic hacker had
failed, with less than half the money
promised provided.
"Boyd's folly" people called this
wreck of a true mans hopes. BOYD
sought aid vainly. He left the village
one day, almost aimlessly following a
secluded road. He had got SO that ha
Stunned company, and as he saw a
little ahead a man and woman stand
ing under a tree he turned aside.
Boyd recognized the lady. She was
Mrs. Helen Wayne, who had come to
the town a few months agone and had
settled down to secluded life at The
Poplars, as if some mystery sur
rounded her life.
Finally Boyd discerned that the two
had separated, the lady pursuing her
way in the direction of her home.
Boyd resumed his stroll. AS he neared
the spot where the two had stood be
paused to pick up little package. 1t
was held together by an elastic band
and appeared to comprise letters or
documents. On the outside was writ.
ten the name: Helen Wayne"
"Of course the lady dropped it." rea-
soned Boyd, and hurried after Mrs.
Wayne.
Madam" he detained her, Il found
this packet where you were standing
down the road" His courtesy, his fine
statuesque face, his respectful man
ner enlisted the attention of the lady
She smiled her thanks. Then, half
opening the packet, a muffled scream
escaped her lips.
Pardon mel thank you. You have
you have saved me-"
Boyd noted her confusion and agita-
ton in open amaZement. Mrs. Wayne
fairly reeled as she made her way
homeward.
The next day a telephone message
summoned Boyd to the bank. Mr.. Ros.
coe greeted him with genial smile and
handshake.
Il have great news for you" he an.
nounced. "a person, not wishing to
be known for the present, called upon
me this morning and offered to take
up the forty thousand-dollar bonds We
hold in escrow, pay back Blake ths
money he has advanced and finance
you for the full completion of your
building"
"Oh, it cannot be true!" gasped the
bewildered Boyd.
But it was true. and hope, conf
dence, glowing happiness seemed to
fill his being, renewed. Once more
his heart in his work, Warren Boyd
started forth man among men. And
then one day the banker told him the
name of his mysterious aimoner-
Mrs. Helen Wayne.
Boyd was not the man to repress bis
emotion. Once again at her lonely,
but lovely home, he infused her WIN
his own fervent idealism as he poured
forth his thanks.
The nobility of his nature inspired
her to tell him her life story. An
unworthy husband had died. LEAVING
her a fortune. Their marriage haa
been .hasty one and there had ap.
peared a blackmailer, who threafenea
to dispute the validity of her mar
riage. He had the proofs of the same
that Mrs. Wayne could not secure.
was he who had dropped the pscke.
and its restoration to his victim nsu
enabled her to defy him.
In the holy hush OF a beautiful I'VE
light, one month later, Warren bosu
told his love to this peerless woman.
You could offer no honor dearer "
my weary. famished soul than TO a..
me to share your noble life woiL
she said. land together We Will ll
part the sunlight Of care and love "
the Swallowed lives OF the little ones.