Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-08-21
An Equal
Division
-opzrsghs. lsls. western Newspaper unlon.l
By ROBERT CHANDLER MORRIS

Copyright 1918, western Newspaper Union-l
You're Joking. almost gasped old
Cy Danyers. "You mean to say you
give me that elegant outfitG'
Freely, gladly. and all for yourself"
cneerily and sincerely responded Hec-
tor Upton. why not? I've got liv-
ing to earn now. ] shall not probably
be back among the home folks for
year. About all / know about wood
craft and fishing you have taught me.
You're a second Isaac Walton with baif
and hook-whO more worthy"
Old Cy stood in ar ecstatic way. view
ing the case in which rested the finest
metal jointed rod he had ever cast his
eyes upon. Besides. this. there was
bewildering variety of hooks. lines and
every accessory that could be devised.
Let me pay for it," he suggested.
Not on your lifel Don't look a
gift horse in the mouth. Cyl"
"All right" said the old man, "only,
bear in mind-.half of everything /
catch with this outfit comes TO YOU"
Nonsense :"
wen seer
Hector laughed lightly, leaving old
Cy proud as a king over his opulent
acquisition. Then Hector turned his
thoughts and attention TO a tender
parting with his fiancee, Viola Blake.
They were engaged, but welded bliss
seemed long way off for them. Hec-
tor had been offered business open
ing in the city that would require two
years diligent servitude before he
could hope TO qualify for much of
salary.
You'll wait for me, Viola. won't
you" pathetically propounded Hector.
IF it was twenty years, and loving
you a little more every day that goes
by" replied loyal Viola.
Old Cy kept word to Hector. There
was famous fishing in both creek and
lake near by. Cy had an old scow and
his leisure hours We're pretty nearly
all spent on the water The Upton
family received visit from the per-
sistent fisherman every other day
Then when Cy learned of the engage
ment of his favorite TO pretty Viola
Blake, he began an added distribution.
He stopped regularly at the Blake
home hung around till he saw Viola,
delivered a part of his catch, and,
when Viola demurred at such profit
gate liberality, said simply:
It's all in the family, Hector Up
ton is my partner in the outfit that
landed those beauties, so it's all right,
isn't it?"
Viola wrote to Hector about his odd
partner and Hector felt that he had
a staunch friend and champion back
home. Cy sent him a local newspa-
per containing an item narrating a
prize fish he had caught. the largest
ever found in Moose lake. In the
same paper was an account of the bur-
glarizing of the town bank and an Of
fer of ten thousand dollars for the re-
turn of certain package of securi-
ties. The thieves might add the re-
ward to their plumber, If they would
only produce the securities.
1t was a month after that when old
Cy appeared at the Upton home in a
great state of excitement. He looked
greatly disappointed when he found
that Mr.. and Mrs. Upton were away for
| three days with some relatives at a
distance. Cy fidgeted about, rubbed
his frowsy head obviously and then,
apparently inspired by new thought,
hurried over TO the Blake home. He
found Viola trimming some bushes in
the garden.
81 want you to do something for me-
Viola" he blurted out. Its about
Hector"
Yes, Cy," nodded Viola.
."I've got some news for him that
won't keep" proceeded Cy in a high
strain of excitement. "He's got to
come here to find out what it is"
"Why, Cy, you quite startle me"
said Viola.
''YouTl be more so when you know
what I'm up to-" chuckled Cy. "Now
then, he'll come for you. He might
not for me, you see. want you to
telegraph him that you want to see
him at once"
"Oh. Cy," demurred Viola, "how dare
/ do that? 1t might lead to his losing
his position"
''He won't want it any longer when
he sees me-" cried Cy in a confident,
| jubilant tone. "Don't distrust me-
/ Viola. / know what I'm about, and
Hector will just about bless you when
he knows the great fortune I've got in
store for him."
His persuasive eloquence prevailed
and the telegram was dispatched. Old
4 Cy did not sleep a wink that night
/ He was at the Blake place at daylight.
/ He was shaking all over with suspense
/ when Hector arrived.
You sent for me, VIOLA" spoke Hec
tor.
mo, / did" said Cy. Hector, boy,
you remember ii was fifty-fifty in
/ whatever / fished up with that splen-
did outfit you gave me-"
why. so you insisted" replied Hec
+ tor wonderingly.
4 "Well then, l was fishing in the riv-
er yesterday when my hook caught in
something. / pulled in TO fnd-this. :"
and Cy drew from under his coat a
heavy manila envelope.
And what is that, Cy," inquired
I Hector
I documents. securities, damaged
somewhat but good as ever. They're
the same that those burglars stole and
probably threw into the river as they
went over the bridge. The reward is