Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-13
A Mild
Filtration
By ALISON LEE
Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper Union

been wooing Marcia Foster, six years
his Junior. She was an orderly, good
looking lady with some resources, was
really attracted by the honest, open
way in which he proffered his petition
as n claimant to her hand, and was
worth the winning Of any sensible
man.
"Give me time. Alvin" she had said.
Il esteem you greatly, but I want to
be sure that I shall not later regret
an impusve step"
SO, meekly, patiently, Alvin Downey
continued his semi-weekly calls, until
IN invalid brother sent for him from
city thousand miles away. Marcia
told him she would. miss him, and he
went away feeling sanguine that alb
sence would only make the heart fond
er, and determined to bring affairs 60
definite issue upon his return.
1t was only after dull week that
Marcia began to appreciate the past
companionship of Downey. She
missed the auto rides, the weekly the
alter and movie shows. Then one day
something tranSpired that broke the
routine Of her loneliness, and came
very nearly wrecking the fond hopes
Of Alvin Downey.
| She was seated on the veranda when
young man came up the rose-lined
walk, removed his hat and made an
obeiSance that would have done credit
to Beau Brummel. He had dark,
! curly locks and "a love of q muStache,"
any impressiOnable young lady would
have expressed it, bright, magnetic
| eyes and most graceful bearing. He
dashed all features of romance, how
ever, by announcing that ne had a
polishing compound to sell.
Marcia listened patiently to his ex-
ordium as to the merits of his wares,
and gOod-naturedly purchased n pack
age of the polish. She went into the
house to get her purse, and when she
returned fancied he looked weary,
invited him to seat, doubled her orig
inal order. and was quite touched by
the appealing way in which the hand
some fellow expressed his gratitude.
ut may be the hard times, or peo-
pie generally don't want polish" he
ventured to remark. "You have given
me quite lift. and thank you. am
| n,
hnps that is why am not making a
! success of it,
Miss Foster was sympathetic All
always inclined to be helpful. She
named number of neighbors, and told
her visitor that he might tell them
that she had directed him to them.
Ills bright, thoughtful glance in re-
Spouse to her kindness really thrilled
her. Without apparent purpose the
Young man drifted into the story of
his life. He was the younger son of
q foreign duke, he modestly claimed,
had struck out for himself in a new
country, had made an injudicious in
vestment and was stranded.
What followed that eventful day was
kind Of dream, q daze to Miss Fos-
ter after it was all over. Quite Incl
dentally, it appeared she met the hand
some polish vendor on the street
day or two later. He was limping,
and in response to her inquiries, in
formed her that he had been laid up
since his call at her home with
sprained ankle. Delicately she brought
the situation to point where the
young man acknowledged that he was
completely out Of funds and she in
sisted on loaning him mis- needs until
ne got on his feet again.
She repented her action at the re-
sentful look that came into his face.
1t expressed pride, humiliation, the
sense Of deep affront. Miss Foster
tried to atone for her impetuous &C.
ton, and then Wilberford Beresford,
as he called himself, appeared to rec
ognize her gentle kind-heartedness
and tears came into his eyes. He ad-
vised her how she could assist him.
There was n small, well.paying bust
ness, a stationery and book business
In the town for sale. The owner was
willing to take $1,000 for the same.
Now. Marcia had been previously aware
of the fact, and this caused her to give
crcdence to other details presented by
the willy schemer. He did not wish to
borrow the money without security.
After IN exhibition Of shame-faced-
ness he produced n pawn ticket. 1t
called for $500, and for that amount
Beresford claimed to have pledged a
crested ring Of his noble house set
with several thousand dollars worth
of diamonds. If she would advance
the money, he would send for the jew
elry, and 1t would be ample security
for the amount of the pledge and the
business investment.
"You will be perfectly SAFE" he de-
clared, "for can get money from
home within month. 1 would not
sell the ring. I have often thought 1t
shall only be parted with when wed
the woman love-" and his ardent eyes
made the fiuttering Marcia blush and
drop her eyes.