Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-04
Hidden Spoil
BY ADA RANKIN LUSTRELL
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)

eTlA anu SIltl over lHt i''thi ufa'h
of cherished wife and anxiety as 10
the future of his daughter Viola. II
girl of sixteen, he received word that
he had been left 50 acres of land near
Walton by distant relative, ana
he frightened up with new courage
and hope.
Eighty acres! Why, have longed
for ten, and considered II the great
est boon fortune could bestow upon
me"
Il am SO glad" enthused Viola
"You have had TO work so hard ana
so long in the city here. oh, father
think, think. If II is not already a
nice little farm, we can make II one.
And ! can help YOU get real living |
with birds and flowers and everything |
beautiful about MS"
yes" replied Mr.. Wayne. new am
bition kindling in his eyes. I'VE VIII
make the wilderness blossom ike The
rose :"
Robert Wayne went 10 VII his
prized acquisition, 10 have ! high
spirits considerably dampened. wal
ton was small, quiet village, and the
81 acres were located Just beyond It's
limits. The major portion of il had
been "A limestone quarry, which had
been excavatcd To the depth of over
hundred feet 10 provide a county
with roadbed material. II had been
abandoned and nearly filed up with
water,
Mr.. Wayne found that only 20 acres
Of the tract could be made available.
There had been frame structure AZ
! the edge of the quarry. A helper was
hired To dlSmantle il. the material re-
moved and habitable shelter con
structed that would answer until
real house could he built
II Viola was disappointed she never
indicated it, she came into the rude
shack with cheery: "Oh. father!
Wen make mansion Of il before we
get through
Il A new element and displeasing
one. came into their lives with the ap-
pearance of young man who per-
sistently forced his attentions upon
Viola. This was Martin Freer, who
lived n mile distant. He and his fam
lily had regulations none too Savory as
"a honesty and industry, and there
were sundry hints that il was puz-
zle how Freer had so much money 10
throw away. while he never seemed
70 do any work.
Il don't like this young fellow VI
OLA" Mr.. Wayne said. Il hope YOU
will not encourage his visits.
Il have tried 10 make him under
stand that his calls are not welcome
replied viola.
Frecr was an audaciou>. and AZ
times offensive. person, with force
full, aggressive way about him that
carried him through i'm most instances.
He had The sense To discern. however
tha~ he had created an antipathy
against himself i'm Mr. Wayne, and
4 that Viola was cold and rcpelant. He
boaSted of very rich uncle abroad,
who sent him fabulous sums monthly.
Il believe the old quarry is haunt
4 ed Mr.. Wayne told Viola one day
Last night was the fourth or firth
? time | have been awakened lay queer
sounds I'm lis direction. Strange calls
and heavy rolling, and then Splashine
. echoes" But both forgot about this
Il amid the pressure of their home du
II ties. About this time Il new element
II came into The quiet lives of father and
II daughter \ pleasant. manly Nouni
II fellow. Barton Lee. came 10 Walton e
II pass - months vacation. a he gave il
II out. lie got acquainted with the
/ ID. tsf
Al ior. much to the discontinue of Mar
II tin FIeer. one morning early he ap
II peared with a gravity of manner Ina
II M once told Viola that the visit la'
II serious motive
Il Mr. Wayne" he said. IL have new
H of some Importance to commuEicat
i 70 YOU. First. ] wish 10 make IN
II confession That | am NOT >impl
II tourist. but came down here as reI
II rcsentative of the state insurance con
II mission
II 'You mcan?" asked Mr. Wayne.
II THAT for over a year some fort
II automobiles month have been ~to
II On I'm the city Many of them hay
II disappeared utterly. | received ii ii
III ana came uoWn utlt w Ndt'h -'''i -
II Freer. who has been member of IN
II gang who have run the machines OF
II 10 Walton and dumped them into IN
II old quarry
i, "Why. what for? Incredible
II gasped Mr. Wayne.
II 1T was done 80 that unScrupWot
II owners could thereby claim full Walt
II from the insurance companies. Free
is in iaiI. and has confessed. At lea
II ffty ears lie hidden under the wat'
II Of the old quarry.
II Barton Lee had completed his mi
sion and departed for the city. Vic
missed him greatly. Her heart sal
with joy when he returned.
81 have made an arrangement wi
the insurance company 10 20 into q
salvage business, you and l. VI
II Nayne." announced Lee. The 81
are wrecks and good only for VIII
they will bring as junk. The col
II panies give us half ~ what we re
ize, plus the cost OF raising. dlsma
Ting and shipping tho parts W s'cor
hand dealers
II was an ideal partnership. ard
led TO an ideal romsncel Money the
was in the proposition. and love, 81
what more could happy Viola Way