Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-10-24
Hidden Spoil
BY ADA RANKIN LUSTRELL

|iS anu SricI over the recent death
OF cherished wife and anxiety as to
the future of his daughter Viola. a
girl OF sixteen, he received word that
he had been left so acres Of land near
walton by distant relative, and
ne Frightened up with new courage
and hope.
. Eighty acres! Why. have longed
for ted. ana considered it the great
est boon fortune could bestow upon
me-"
Il am SO glad" enthused Viola.
You have had to work so hard and
SO long In the city here. Oh, father!
think. think. If it is not already n
nice little farm. we can make it one.
And 1 can help you get real living,
with birds and flowers aud everything
beautiful about u.s."
YES" replied Mr.. Wayne, new am.
Dition kindling in his eyes. 1--WE will
make the wilderness blossom fike the
rose"
Robert Wayne went to visit his
priced acquisition, to have his high
spirits considerably dampened. WAL
ton was small. quiet village, and the
~ acres were located just beyond its
limits. The major portion of 1t had
been limestone quarry, which had
been excavated to the depth of over
hundred feet to provide a county
with roadbed material. 1t had been
abandoned and nearly filed I'D with
water,
Mr.. Wayne found that only 20 acres
OF the tract could be made available.
There had been frame structure Mt
the edge Of the quarry. A helper was
hired to dismantle it. the material re-
moved and a habitable shelter con-
structed that would answer until a
real house could he built.
If Viola was disappointed she never
indicated 1T. She came into the rude
shack with CHEEKY: ooh. father!
we'll make u mansion of It before we
get through"
A new element. and dsplcasing
one, came into their lives with the ap-
pearance OF young man who per-
sistently forced his attentions upon
Viola. This was Martin Frccr. who
lived n mile distant. He and his fam.
lily had regulations none too savory rs
were sundry hints that 1t was puZ-
zle how Freer had so much money to
throw away, while he never seemed
tn do any work.
II don't like this young fellow, VI
OLA" Mr.. Wayne said. Il hope you
Will not encourage his visits"
Il have tried to make him under
stand that his calls are not welcome"
replied Viola.
Freer was an audaciOuS and Mt
times offensive, person. with q force
full. aggressive way about him that
carried him through in most instances.
He had the sense to discern, however,
that he had created an antipathy
against himself in Mr. Wayne, and
that Viola was cold and repellant He
boosted of Il very rich uncle abroad,
who sent him fabulous sums monthly.
Il believe the old quarry is haunt
ed" Mr.. Wayne told Viola one day.
Last night was the fourth or fifth
time ! have been awakened by queer
sounds In its direction. Strange calls.
and heavy rolling. and then splashing
echoes" But both forgot about this
ties. About this time new element
came into the quiet lives of father and
daughter. A pleasant. manly young
fellow, Barton Lee. came to Walton to
pass months vacation, as he gave il
out. He got acquainted with the
WnyneS, and became Il welcome Wis
itor. much 10 the discontinue of Mar
tin Frccr. One morning early he an
pearcd with Il gravity of manner that
Mt once told Viola that the visit had
serious motive.
'Mr. Wayne" he said. 81 have news
of some Importance 10 communicate
TO you. First, | wish to make the
confession that ] am not simple
tourist, bat came down here as Il rep
rcsentatiVe of the state insurance com
miSSiOn.'
''You mcan?' asked Mr. Wayne.
"That for over Il year some forty
automobiles IL month have been Stol-
on in the city. Many of them have
disappeared utterly. ! received tip
and came down here to watch Martin
Frccr. who has been member OF the
gang who have run the machines out
TO Walton and dumped them into the
old quarry"
"Why. what for? Incredible ="
gaspcd Mr.. Wayne.
ut was done so that INSCRIPTIONS
owners could thereby claim full value
from the insurance companies. Freer
is in Jail, and has confessed At least
fifty cars lie hidden under the water
of the old quarry"
Barton Lee had completed his mis-
sion and departed for the city. Viola
missed him greatly. Her heart sang
with JOY when lie returned.
II have made an arrangement with
the insurance COMPANY TO 20 info tho