Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-06-12
A Mild
Filtration
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper uniOn)
BY ALISON LEE

For fully twelve months Alvin
Downey, bachelor, aged thirty-five, had
been wOoing Marcia Foster, six years
his junior She was an orderly, good
looking lady with some resources, was
really attracted by the honest, open
way in which he proffered his petition
as a claimant to her hand, and was
worth the winning of any sensible
man.
"Glve me time Alvin" she had said.
II esteem you greatly, but I want to
be sure that l shall not later regret
an impulslve step"
So, meekly, patiently, Alvin Downey
continued his semi-weekly calls until
an invalid brother sent for him from
city a thousand miles away. Marcia
told him she would miss him, and he
went away feeling sanguine that alb
sence would only make the heart fond
er, and determined to bring affairs 60
definite issue upon his return.
1t was only after a duh week that
Marcia began to appreciate the past
companionship of Downey. She
missed the auto rides, the weekly the
alter and movie shows. Then one day
something transpired that broke the
routine of her loneliness, and came
very nearly wrecklng the fond hopes
of Alvin Downey.
She was seated on the veranda when
young man came up the rose-lined
walk, removed his hat and made an
obeisance that would have done credit
to Beau Brummel. He had dark,
curly locks and "a love of mustache,"
any impressionable young lady would
have expressed it, bright. magnetic
eyes and a most graceful bearing. He
dashed all features of romance, how
ever. by announcing that he had
polishing compound TO sell
Marcia listened patiently to his ex-
ordium as to the merits of his wares,
and good-naturedly purchased pack
age of the polish. She went into the
house to get her purse, and when she
returned fancied he looked weary,
invited him to seat, doubled her orig
inal order and was quite touched by
the appealing way in which the hand
some fellow expressed his gratitude.
ut may be the hard times, or peo-
pie generally don't want polish" he
ventured to remark. "You have given
me quite lift, and thank you. am
haps that is why l am not making
success of It,"
Miss Foster was sympathetic ar.1
always inclined to be helpful. She
named q number OF neighbors and told
her visitor that he might tell them
that she had directed him to them.
His bright, thoughtful glance in re-
Spouse to her kindness really thrilled
her. Without apparent purpose the
young man drifted into the story of
his life. He was the younger son Of
a foreign duke, he modestly claimed,
had struck out for himself in new
country. had made an injudicious in
vestment and was stranded.
What followed that eventful day was
a kind of a dream, daze to Miss Fos-
dentally, it appeared she met the hand
some polish vendor on the street
day or two later. He was limping,
and in response to her inquiries. in
formed her that he had been laid up
since his call at her home with
sprained ankle. Delicately she brought
the situation to a point where the
young man acknowledged that he was
completely out of funds and she in
sisted on loanlng him his needs until
he got on his feet again.
She repented her action at the re-
sentful look that came into his face.
1t expressed pride. humiliation, the
sense of deep affront. Miss Foster
tried TO atone for her impetuous ac-
ton, and then Wilberford Beresford.
as he called himself, appeared to rec
ognize her gentle kind-heartedness
and tears came into his eyes. He adj
vised her how she could assist him.
There was a small, well-paylng husi-
ness. a stationery and book business
in the town for sale. The owner was
willing to tnke 81 900 for the same.
Now Marcia had been previously aware
of the fact and this caused her to give
credence to other details presented by
the willy schemer. He did not wish to
borrow the money without security.
After an exhibition Of Shame-faced-
ness he produced Il pawn ticket. It
called for $500, and for that amount
BereSford claimed 10 have pledged
crested ring Of his noble house set
with several thousand dollars worth
Of diamonds, n she would advance
the money, he would send for the jew
elry. and it would be ample security
for the amount of the pledge and the
business investment.
you will be perfectly safe" he de-
clared, for l can get money from
home within a month. l would not
sell the ring. / have often thought It
shall only be parted with when wed
the woman love-" and his ardent eyes
made the fluttering Marcia blush and
drop her eyes.
Il win have the money here for
you as soon as the bank opens, prom