Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-11-06


got everything in your favor-money.
position. good looks"
Grant Maxwell perked up consider
ably. He considered the compliment
well bestowed. A presumptuous, con-
ceited individual, he did not pause to
number other qualifications that he old
not possess. but which might have
good deal to do with Miss Vera Cor
don's ideal Of a perfect man.
II fancy I've made hit already" ne
observed with an air of confidence.
"Of course Wayne Merton is quite
a favorite with the Gordons,' went on
Naxwelrs friend, "but his humdrum
ways are no comparison to your fetch
ing qualities, heyT
THAT cadr blared forth Maxwell in
a really riotOus way. How ! nate
himl They say he has money, but he
doesn't show IT. He'll never last with
the exclusive and aristocratic Gordons,
though | can tell you that. Between
you and me little investigation on my
! part has brought 70 light solution OF
his mysterious past to which he never
refers. When the tactical moment ar
rives have mine TO spring
And the man of egotism and vanity
went his way, pulled up over the
cheap and insincere admiration OF
hypocritical friend and chuckling AS
he reflected over the clever trap he
had set to discredit Wayne Merton.
Maxwell had reason TO dislike and
fear his rival. While all the Gordons
knew about him was that he was re-
ported of independent means, he mad
attracted Vera because he was so diff
ferent to the average young man or
her set. II was a pleasure TO have his
company She knew he was the author
of a series OF powerful and practical
articles in the newspapers along phil
anthropic lines. He depicted In these
the crying needs of the poor, the ig'
norant and the oppressed. She had
, been fascinated while attending lee
ture he delivered
' Vera had done considerable In
, church relief work and was absorbed
, in it, The evenings when Maxwell
called had little interest for her. His
I curriculum began with golf and ende
with automobling. lie had no inspira
+, ton of Imagination and helpfulness.
Maxwell felt very sanguine of max
r ing "ten-strike" one day as he callet
2 upon Vera. He had got fully read!
10 extingrish Merton. An adjunct e
p his plot was a police sergeant whom
he had bribed and cajoled into assist
} ing him in a certain way.
) miss Gordon" said Maxwell, IN.
I cousin. Miss Bruce. has come TO th
\ CITY for a week. She Is quite socia
I worker and is anxious to see some
: thing of the seamy side OF life. hav
= arranged TO give her view of polio
J. court session. Wouldn't you like t
/ join usY'
e Vera was az once interested and tn
p next morning Maxwell and Miss Bruc
called for her. His automobile lande
them at the police station and the tri
80 entered the courtroom. The experienc
'd was novel, pathetic, Illuminating all
once to the two young ladies' Inc
G. were serious, shocked TO tears
C times. as poor humanity was parade
guises. Then Maxwell suggested TN
=, they view the station routine. In 1
u main room a police sergeant met the
- and showed them the cells. the Zoe
. given the prisoners and told OF u
daily grist that went through the m
Of Justice.
It "a terrible record these books co
oil IA
ny n heap Of large volumes. THAT is
re- old one-1911," added the sergeant
~, ~ Maxwell casually, apparently, open
les book.
oh Jook Miss Gordon" spoke the Ii
c. fer: nearly fifty names TO the pas
--p WHY. it can't be possible way
. Merton. disorderly, age twen'y-tw
% fined ten dollars and costs.
.et ooh, that cannot be our MIR. NJ
O. ton - spoke Vera. startled and with
1-c quick catch in her breath.
- "What's the name? Wayne Merto'
ma spoke up the sergeant. HE was
ny. nretty regular old timer. Drink W
rs his failing. Haven't heard from h
liu ~ late wears" and then the speal
ATE described the indh nv ""' "P~'-o
and and Vera turned sick at heart,
-pd tbe description Of that Wayne NJ
- ron precisely accorded in gene
forms with that Of her Wayne NJ
the ton.
hos "Td like to show you our rogu
a. gallery" said the sergeant. and VI
-" well and Miss Bruce followed n
'se' Vera did not Join them. She st'
lars male and agitated, her eyes fixed vi
lich the record book where the name
as WAYNE Merton appeared. The po
hrs clerk stared strangely rs he note'
! 90 tear fall upon the soiled page
"a "Do YOU know Wayne Merton, mis-
''eN he asked. 1T Is n name we are v
en's proud Of For two years he seemed
Oh ing to drown his grief over the deaf
as two sisters. About three years
old all OF q sudden he found his r
nave mind. Ever heard OF the Refuge no
81 Well. many a tramp can tell you
.arv built It-Wayne Merton. They
foot he gave half his fortune TO suppl
d. :. cheap hotel for poor country girls
- /" ing TO the city to find work.
Sne And now the tears flooded the
/. IL. face Of Vera Gordon. but for JOY.
N - Il In xx'h iSY