The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-11-06
The Golden
Horseshoe
(>0
By VICTOR REDCLIFFE
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)

lie IndI uo never. lOISOl. I1t Eou iCAI
his home ten miles distant with dark
cloud lowering over past and present,
and had sat down at the edge of a
bluff lining a waterway to think, to
cast up accounts socially, financially
and morally. The outlook was desolate.
AS in an evil dream he summed up the
disastrous climax to advice he had
given his father as to investments,
that had brought John Wynn to the
verge of bankruptcy. He had sought
solitude to analyze the shock, to with
stand it's crushing weight if that
seemed possible.
Darker and more forbidding grew
his scowling brow as he faced the
facts. Gloomier and more repelling
seemed the future. His eyes fixed on
vacancy, his lips griuly compressed,
he drew a revolver from his pocket,
turned it over speculatively in his
hand and then hastily thrust it upon
the ground behind him as the sound
of approaching voices reached him.
A picture in vivid contrast to the
dismal visions wrought by his de-
spending mentality was presented.
Framed in the golden sunshine was
group of little children led by, or cling
ing to a lovely girl of about eighteen.
She seemed to be their teacher and
they just let out of school or return
ing to it. AS she passed the spot where
Bertram sat she seemed momentarily
startled, and then as if impressed with
the sadness and desperation depicted
in his face half /wavered, and passed
on. Somehow that glance to Bertram
seemed full of human sympathy and
encouragement and as the group van
ished the circumstance left an impress
of Joy and innocence that recalled his
own bright youthful days. He was glad
as, reaching behind him. he found that
the revolver had slipped over the edge
of bluff into the water beneath, and he
arose shuddering at the spasm of de-
spair, which had so nearly led him to
take his own life.
Bertram Wynn went to large city
and chanced to secure board, with an
Italian family whose head had been
man of considerable means in his own
country. This man took a fancy to
Bertram and finally asked him to join
him in an export business he had
started. He had influence abroad and
had secured some orders Of magnf-
tude. Bertram worked hard. At the
end Of the European war they secured
q contract for large consignment OF
machinery. duplicated it later on, made
enormous profits, and, one year after
leaving Chesterton, Bertram returned
a rich man.
His experience had made him human
and considerate, and his past dark
days actuated him towards making
brighter those of the unfortunate and
unlucky whom he met. He first re-
couped his fathers lost fortune and
enabled him to complete some philan-
thropic plans his i'll fortune had him
dered. Bertram was kindly and friend
ly with all his old associates and had
ever an open, helpful hand for the
Door and lowly. One noon time, pass
ing group of wOrkmen whom ne
knew near the plant where they Ia
bored, he was invited to engage in
game al quoits. In lieu Of the usual
metal discs ordinarily employed In the
sport. horseshoes were used. Bertram
entered into the game with zest. he
was pitching one Of the horseshoes
when a child ran across between the
stakes. The flying missile struck her
directly on the head and the little girl
fell, bleeding and insensible.
Bertram at once picked up the VIC,
tim of her own venturesomeness and
hastened with her to the nearest ply
sician. The latter was gravely con-
cerned and stated that he feared bad
results.
"Poor little creature!" he said.
"She is a homeless orphan whom
Mary Vale adopted. About two months
since Miss Vaile went to the city to
try a position there in seminary and
has since been paying the board Of her
protege here"
'If you will give me the address OF
the young lady I will communicate
with her." suggested Bertram.
"No, don't do that, until the crisis
is past" advised the doctor. 1T would
only distress Miss Vale and probably
cause her to give up lucrative posi-
tion."
meantime, then, let the little one
be removed to our home" insisted Ber.
tram.
Little Corinne passed the crisis safe
ly and Bertram told the doctor he
would 20 to Miss Vale and tell her OF
the accident and its outcome. He had
heard so much of the kindly deeds OF
the young lady that he considered her
deserving Of an assurance that he and
his father would gladly take from her
shoulders the expense and RESPONSE
hility she had so nobly assumed.