The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-09-13
15fe
Price of Folly
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper UEion.)
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE

Levi Darrow, and indeed Royce Ayl-
mer seemed worthy of the designation.
In the estimation of the venerable
church man, Boyd Hapgood was not
In the same category, and yet the lat
ter had been the closest chum of Ayl-
mer, and at the very moment that the
remark was made the latter was bound
for home to read for a second time a
letter he had received from HapgOod
in the city that day.
1t was only one of a series that
Hapgood had written during six
months sojourn in the big metropolis.
He was urging Aylmer to join him.
He painted glowing pictures Of the
lures and enjOyments Of his new en-
vironment. Aylmer was quite the re-
verse Of HapgOod, being steady, saw
ing and of fixed character and habits
Hapgood had been somewhat discred-
tied while at Rossville. He Travelled
with a lively crowd, his parents pro-
vided literally for him and he had all
the prOmptings Of the spendthrift. For
all the contrast between the two, some
how a genuine friendship had sprung
up between them, and there had been
a mutual pledge that through all of
life they would stick to one another
and divide their last crust!
TITS different with Hapgood," re-
flected Aylmer. "He has plenty Of
spending money, and can dress well
and throw it around. Then, too, he has
the influence of city relatives to get
him a good position. Where would |
be, with one common suit and less than
one hundred dollars capital? No, Hap
good and the city aren't for me until l
can go there under better prospects,"
Still the cautious Aylmer had a
longing to join his friend He was sick
and tired of Shaving from early in the
morning until late at night in gen
eral store for a beggarly pittance. One
influence alone held him to the town,
one especial being acted as though his
diligence, seNmly courtesy and unpre-
tentious ways appealed /. to her own
practical nature. She was Alice Lisle,
One day there came a hurry call at
the store for Aylmer. For the first
time in six years he asked his en-
ployer for half day off.
It's my uncle, Mr.. Deane," ex-
planned Aylmer." He is sick-dying,
his messenger tells me, and wishes
me to come to him at once"
"Why, he doesn't seem to have paid
much attention to you in the past"
NO." agreed Aylmer, "but he is old,
he is my dead mothers only brother.
I guess he has led a pretty lonely and
miserable life, and of course l can't
refuse to go to him"
Next day the storekeeper. received
a note from Aylmer, stating that he was
at his uncle'S, that the latter was very
low, and had insisted on his remaining
with him until the end came.
"a day and a half" commented the
storekeeper, maybe more. If Aylmer
doesn't make it up with extra work
I'll dock him for every lost minute"
But the opportunity to "dock" Royce
Aylmer never came. John Graham died
the following day, and all ROssville
marveled over the astounding circum-
stances that at the last minute Mr..
Graham had left his entire fortune to
Aylmer. The young heir did not jubi-
late over this sudden and unexpected
accession of wealth. Reserved and un-
hn hic n1
and applied himself Loyalty to carrying
out verbal Instruction given to him by
his uncle. These covered certain por
tions of the inheritance which would
consume about third of it. There
was a local church to be endowed.
Some benefits were to go to a theOlOg-
tcal seminary. A new house was to be
built for two old ladies who were dis
tant relatives. Very faithfully Aylmer
attended to these benefciaries. Then
he counted up his resources and at
last stood on the threshold of a new
life
In secret his face glowed and his
eyes frightened as he realized that he
was now prepared to join his friend in
the city and exploit its pleasures with
the best of them The only extrava-
gance to which so far Aylmer had
committed himself was the purchase
of an automobile. AS he started out in
II one morning to look over the new
house, just ready for the two old
ladies, a telegram was handed him. It
was from Boyd Hapgood and it pressed
him urgently to come to the city to
rescue him from a terrible tangle.
Hiding in an obscure room. shat
tered in health, trembling at every
sound, Royce Aylmer found his friend.
As the latter recited his experience in
a downward path that had led him not
only into the highways of folly, but
had made of him an embezzler, all
the glamour of city life seemed to
fade from the view of his loyal friend.
Aylmer cleared up the money troubles,
set his friend on his feet once more,
and chastened, disillusioned, started
back for ROsSville.
1t must have been fate that wrecked