Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-02
The Daily
Short Story
GOLD 81
By Genevieve Ulmar

hOuHC0u nlCudTu hdSOu5 Win uSCl-
sion and finality.
THAT is what l am aiming for
! and am going to reach" replied the
prospective son-in-law, Delbert
| Wardell.
Il like the way you talk" said
| the old man, but it will be a slow
process unless you expand your
business"
That is just what 1 am thinking
Of doing" declared Delbert, and the
glow of energy and ambition in his
eye betokened the inspiration of a
liked purpose. at may be a year,
it may be two" he told pretty, de-
voted Thasia Mason as he joined
her at the gate, but patience is
not burden when love is present"
For three years Wardell had CIV
en- attention and service to the
duties of local purchasing agent
Elton was % miles from the city,
just near enough TO have conven-
lent wholesale supply source, but
/ far enough away to be out of the
suburban class. Wardell had work
ed up very fair business, taking
orders in the morning from town
residents for articles all the way
from a paper of pins to a piece OF
dress goods.
He had accumulated a sum in ex-
cess of five hundred dollars and was
now about to invest that surplus in
his business He was proud and
exultant the day that he drove up
in front of the Mason homo in a
very fair-looking automobile.
1.-TWO years old but in perfect
shape" he announced enthusiast
cally-No. 1889, and paid for. Get
ready for a spin, Thasia."
But Thasia looked aghast. Sure
ly, Delbert, you have not been
guilty of this extravaganza to
please me?"
why, you frightened little mod
ell of economy, don't you under
stand? Many a pleasant drive we
may hope for, evenings. Day
times, though, Old 81 saves me
waiting for trains, speeds to the
city with any passengers who want
the spin for fifty cents, and brings
back my purchases. I shall take
orders now for bulkier stuff. I've
figured it all Quits a WISE, sure
business investment"
So it seemed, and certainly was
a pleasure to Thasia, who had faith
IN Wardell's dawning prosperity.
The latter had "splurged," to a de-
gree. He had a storage room in
the city and one at Elton, he hired
an assistant, and his expenses mad
increased as the business grew.
One morning Wardell went to
his garage to prepare Old 81 for
the customary trip TO the city, wnen
lie halted and stared aghast. The
automobile was not in evidence and
the doors of the shed showed signs
of having been roughly pried open.
WardeIl set about investigating. He
went to the village police station
10 receive startling information.
Late the night before the cashier
of the local bank had been doing
some extra work on his books and
had been attacked by a robber, who
had surreptitiOusly entered the
building. He was bound and
gagged. while the visitor secured !
a strong box containing a large /
of money and securities. |
The thief had come and had gone |
away in an automobile which later, |
a night Waterman had observed |
and recognized as the property OF |
Wardell, but supposed that the |
owner was driving it.
For a week search was prosecut- !
ed for thief and machine and a |
large reward offered, but without |
result. Wardell lost spirit at this !
abstraction of his trusty business |
adjunct. His plans were upset. he /
had exhausted his capital, and /
somehow he became Discouraged ,
He determined to dismiss his as
sistant and discontinue his storage
rooms.
His business dwindled, and final
" he gave it up and entered the
employ of a local plumbing estab-
Iishment Thasia and fortune /
far away from him, in
1eedt
There was a shallow pit at the
edge of the village where some
Iuarrying had been done and then
abandoned. 1t had partially filled
Up with water and some new in
Testors purchased it, and their
irst work was to have it pumped
)ut Wardell was given the task
~ his plumber employer. A small
gasoline engine and pipe and plum
ger comprised the crude apparatus.
The second day of his labor War
lell made a grewsome discovery.
The receding water brought to
light the body of a man. A brief
ID -,
-isitor who had carried away the
trong box.
Two days after that Wardell ap-
'eared at the home of Mr.. Mason,
ale and excited. 81 want you to
ONE with me-" he said, with
reathless mysteriousness. "I want
our advice and help"
Wardell led Mr.. Mason to the pit.
'urther pumping had nearly ex-
austed the water in the quarry
ole. Wardell pointed over its {
dge. !
MY old automobile-Old Thirty-f {
me-" he said simply. l
why! so it isl" gasped his as {
ounded companion, and what's !
hat in the rear seat?" I
THE burglars loot" declared /
Vardell, "the strong box from the {
ank. There's reward, you I
now
Good for you!" commented Mr..
Jason; 81 reckon the same will put G
GU in shape to resume your bust |
ess and marry Thasia." And so I
be life problem OF Delbert Wardell
Tas solved. I
6