The Prescott daily news., 1918-02-07
The GoaI
By VIVIAN MAY LESLIE.

William Bartelme.'
 Earle Prescott read the name with Q retrospective expression of face. He unwittingly allowed the newspaper to slip to the floor. He glanced at the pile of manuscript lying on the desk at which he had been writing, and picked up the fountain pen beside 1t, glancing at it collectively, as though in some way it connected with the announce ment he had just read.
 T would like to see MT. Bartelme," he soliloquiZed, "but it would hardly do," and he looked down at his rather threadbare attire. Besides, he has probably long since forgotten me-"
 In the past, however, he had remem' bered him. Prescott had been his ste nographer for year, had been pleas antly enough treated by the dilletante millionaire and had been paid fairly for his laborS. About q month after this employment had ceased, Mir. Bar telme happened to come into sta tioner's where Prescott was buying some copy paper.
 Glad to see you, Prescott" he spoke pleasantly. 'Ive missed you since I let you go-miss the work 1 frittered away my time on."
 "You don't mean that you have abandoned that splendid theme that so engrossed you?" involuntarily ex- claimed Prescott.
 q fear am given to fleeting fads," observed the time killer, with care less shrug of the shoulders. By the way, help me pick out fountain pen"
 Prescott did so. He flushed with pleasure as his former employer hay ing decided on what suited him, pur- chased also it's counterpart and pre- sented 1t to Prescott.
 Then Prescott had come to the city to try his fortunes. He had heard of his employer and patron ever and anon. There was distant relative of Mir. Bartelme, Page Wetmore, who was supposed to be prospective heir. About year after Prescott had come to Chicago Wetmore sought him out and borrowed ten dollars from him. He promised to return the money next day, but had never come near the do- nor, who could poorly afford to lose the money. Prescott learned casually that Wetmore had broken with his relative and had become dissipated and worth less.
 His thoughts wandering over all these phases of his experience and his tory, Prescott sprang to his feet fully startled, as the door opened with q quick swing A man slammed it shut, placed his back against it and, pale and trembling grated out hoarsely:
 Save me-hide me-"
 Page Wetmore :" cried Prescott, in consternation and amazement. Save you from what? Hide you-why?"
 "From the police. came to the city because I learned that Mir. Bartelme was to be here, and I have been seen and am wanted The officers are close on my track. For the sake of our past friendship help mer
 "Here-quick :" and Prescott lifted curtain in front of an open cupboard, thrust the fugitive in, dropped the cur tain, swung open the hall door and, as two officers accompanied by the land lord came up the stairs, was seated at his writing desk, apparently deeply en- crossed in his work.
 Don't disturb him. Mir. Prescott is not likely to be connected with crimi- nals,' Prescott heard his landlord say, and the officers simply peered into the room and passed on, shortly after leav- iDg the a, unsuccessful in their quest. Prescott drew the shades, se- cured the door and Wetmore came out from covert.
 You will help me, won't you, Tres cottf he pleaded. I'm in a terrible mess They can send me to jail and disgrace the family. l must leave at once for South America or some other distant country"
 What do you want me to do?" in- quired Prescott, with genuine pity, viewing this wreck of a promising young man.
 "Go to Mir. Bartelme. He is at the Belleview hotel"
 Yes 1 know"