The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-01-12

set under spreading oak. All abou
were roses, and honeysuckles, an
ptnks. 1t seemed a favorite spot fo
the birds, that charming garden spo
and the dainty hostess fitted abou
descanting upon the luscious strawbel
ries OF her own raising, and the fresl
crisp vegetables from little patch al
within her own keeping. Never ha
verne Purcell spent 80 pleasant al
evening.
1t led to others quite az ENJOYABLE
That little garden and it's bird denixen
became a cherished spot to Verne Pur
cell. Much passed In his mind O
which his two new friends had no con
ception. He was fighting a battle al
by himself, and unseifshness and sac
rihce won in the strong mental strug
gie ne underwent. Secretly he haf
Deen working on the missing mecha
nism OF the inventors machine. HI
never spoke Of 1t to Marsh nor to Jan
ice, for he designed q vast surprise fol-
the former, and as to Janice-he was
IN a constant daze Of delight when in
her company.
He found her alone in the garden
one afternoon when he called. There
were traces Of tears in her eyes and
sne looked sorrowful and anxious.
Dettly he drew from Janice that she
was worried about her father.
He Is growing thin and distracted
over his troubles" she finally acknowl-
euseu 10 Verne. HE often rises at
DAY break and shuts himself into his
workshop and scarcely rests to eat
until nightfall. Father says there is
one little piece of mechanism that will
put the finishing touch to the ma.
chine"
"And he cannot find it," suggested
Verne.
HE insists he dreams it, but then
when he works he cannot reproduce II,
lie Keeps the blueprint on the work.
shop table all the time, hoping the
missing link will come to his mind. Oh.
l hope he will not fail to complete the
machine!"
He shall complete til" ardently
breathed Verne to himself, and he was
SO attentive and sympathetic all that
evening that when he left and Janice
returned to her room, she sat at its
open window in the dark, thinking of
MIN. and fell into Slumber unawares.
Janice awoke with a start as she no.
ticed light in the workshop. Strain
Ing her gaze, she recognized someone
bending over the work table where the |
blueprint lay. She gave a great gasp. |
It was Verne Purcell.
The light was extinguished and |
Verne stole across the garden and dis
appeared. The heart of Janice sank.
Why this clandestine and mysterious
'isit? Was Verne Purcell not what he
Was he bent on stealing her
ather's invention? The first impulse
II Janice was to arouse her father
md tell him Of the incident. Then her
aith In Verne overcame her suspicious.
She was preparing breakfast the
ext morning when her father came
ushing into the room in a frantic
tate Of excitement.
"Eureka!" he shouted. "Oh, Janice,
~ child! I have succeeded. 1 have
cen half mad with despair and dis.
engagement. Now I am lifted to the
cry heights. I have found the con.
Getting link-think Of it-on the blue
rint! I must have drawn 1t when
alf dazed. the echo Of my dreamw
He and his model left the house an
our later. Janice visited the work.
lop. A deep thoughtfulness settled
own over her as she examined the
ueprint and picked up a pencil from
lie floor.
She received brief note from Verne
lat afternoon. "Please tell Mr.. Marsh
lat l am called away from the city
r day or two" it ran, and the day
flowing there came a telegram to
mice from her father: "Model ac-
pied. Money paid and royalties dur.
G life Of patent"
The heart Of Janice fiuttered strange,
as Verne Purcell put in an appear,
ice two evenings later. She handed
m the telegram she had received
ON her father.
Grand! Glorious" exuberated
.rne, and slightly started. "What is
Isl" he inquired. |
''The pencil you dropped In my ia
er's workshop the night you placed
the blueprint the connecting sug-
stion Of the machine. Why this |
Eat sacrificew
you ask ~ said Verne, with emo L
n, "when it means the lifelong hap I
less of your dear father? Miss
you share my secret =
must never know. It would crush
pride, his ambition. His was the
'ention first. It is just that should "
p aside" B
1T is noblew cried Janice, with
ming eyes. "Oh, my friend!-" h,