Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-12-11

~ Inerel never was an old One! de-
clared Lucia vehemently. r.o,, Ii
'"Then it was not because Noel wish
ed otherwise" observed Mrs. Evans.
Allen Parker was manager of the
wholesale house in which Mr.. Evans
was partner. He had been In this
service less than six months. He had
come well recommended and had dem
onstratedJ his. business efficiency and
trustworthiness in the highest degree.
There was nothing known Of his ante.
cedents, however, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Evans were not given to. making new
friends promiscuously. On the con.
trary, Noel Dayton had been brought
up In the neighborhood, and naturally
as to the parents he, was their choice.
Noel was also employed in minor
position by Evans 4 Co. L
Parker is better man than I am"
Noel told his sister, .'bnt i had become
deeply attached to Lucia and a fellow
feels 1t, to have newcomer brush him
aside" EE.l biS+ : SAL " ail4. ~
'You seem to have found ready con-.
ISOLATION in the company of Ada Por-
ter" intimated Alice mischievously.
"Oh, yesi I'm not exactly heart
broken, Sis, but want TO be and SIM.
tend to be, sure that Allen Parker is
all he pretends to be, square and true
end worthy Of the finest girl In the
city-except your dear self" "
"And Ada Porterl" limited Y Alice
gently. iaaIgE' @s2es4 1liEI
Noel's gloomy face regained some
Of its natural sunshine as the weeks
went on. Lucia was gracious, kindly,
and quite, sisterly whenever they met.
Allen put himself out to be, not only
friendly, but useful to Noel. he took
him In hand In a business way. He
Anstilled some beneficial trade princi-
pies into his mind and Noel. was quite
proud when. through the instrumental
ity Of Allen, he was advanced both in
position and salary. ~ ~
b One morning Allen phoned him that
he would be delayed with q client and
Noel took command Of the managerial
office. He went through the mail, and,
CHANGING to open a drawer in Aliens
desk searching for some blank vouch-
ers, his eyes became fixed upon pre-
sentiment that chained attention and
suspicion. ST. H(i s;51ea5 az. gE
There lay two one hundred dol.
liar. bank notes pinned to "a card on
4 which, was written "Octayia Muir
head" An. open sheet lay in full view.
"Ats the Blue Garden" it read. "At
precisely nine. Tuesday evening.
Bring ne money" That was all, but
it was enough to arouse Noel to Z set
tied conviction that Allen Parker was
deceiving Lucia, was proving himself
unworthy Of the pure, innocent girl
who was betrothed to him.. The Blue
Garden was rendezvous for the gid
-,dy and dissipated of.both sexes. The
familiarly worded note, the card, the
money, an placed Allen under certain
suspicion. s3slES ~as,A @:.5S's-
b. Noel Jumped atra conclusion. He
felt II a duty to follow down further
the possible perAdy Of Allen. There
was but one thing to do. he decided
learn more details Of Allen Parker's
interest in this octayia Mdirhead and
then warn Lucia. At nine o'clock that
evening Noel. feeling somehow treach-
.erous, but striving to believe he was
acting as the champion Of innocence,
sat In q secluded corner Of the rem.
devious appointed. He saw a flash.
fly dressed, bold-acting rouged wom-
an meet Allen. Money passed be-
7 tween them and then the woman hand.
ed a folded paper to him. Noel start,
ed to leave the place SO as to be, able
to continue the trail Of Allen further.
,...AAscnoHd ct the door delayed him. He
was abashed as q hand was placed on,
his shoulder. o,..ns
*Why. Noell" spoke Allen. "what-
in the world brings you TO a place like,
+4thisa 81 ~ ia
II was wondering the same thing.
I about you" stammered Noel Ii an en-
barrassed, yet challenging way. & .s--
II Allen suspected that he Had been
followed he did not say 80. A thought.
full expression came into Lid face.
Then hae handed the paper he had re-
ceived from the woman to Noel ~
@old fellow" he said kindly.I.'1 have
been Horking to.sbuya that document
for some time. " appears to y aSnote
70 which you, in yopr old days probably
when hot quite y1uf3elf. dkned the
-aamssof your employer. That womaa
Il the gobetween Of one Of soqf old
gambler. friends. Take It. destroy 1t
and-forget."
"All except what you have doie for
mel" breathed Noel Dayton. the tears
Of mingled shame and gratitude sfushs
Ing To- 81 exaeEss III h0M ] hSvS mis-
Judged you r
=. 80: go Y aasssssa sz1s:'s