The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-07-02
A True Friend
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH
Copyright. 1918. By western Newspaper Union.

father and mother that she was deep
lily In love with the man who had pre-
scented his claims for consideration to
those parents, there was a disappoint-
led expression in the face of Mrs. Evans
and Lucia's father was silent.
II fancied that it would be Noel
Dayton, Lucia" spoke her mother.
H "Oh, dear, not" dissented Lucia in
her frank, impetuous way. II have
liked Noel as a friend and his sister
Alice is my dearest chum, but IL new
Ter thought of Noel that way"
II have no objection to Mr.. Parker"
spoke her father slowly. HE seems
Ito. be most estimable young man, but
do not forget, dear, that you have
known him for only a short time, while
Noel and Alice were your childhood
;playmates. However, we have a full
jyear to try out this new lover Of
yours"
'There never was an old one" de-
iclared Lucia vehemently.
Then it was not because Noel wish.
led otherwise" observed Mrs. Evans.
Allen Parker was manager of the
wholesale house in which Mr.. Evans
Twas partner. He had been in this
service less than six months. He had
come well recommended and had dem
!onstrated his business efficiency and
3Itrustworthiness 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
las to the parents he was their choice.
Noel was also employed in minor
position by Evans & Co.
n: Parker is better man than an"
Noel told his sister, "but had become
deeply attached to Lucia and fellow
Ifeels 1t, to have newcomer brush him
aside"
4 .'You seem to have found ready con-
isolation In the company of Ada Por-
ter" intimated Alice mischievously.
"Oh. yes! I'm not exactly heart.
broken, Sis, but / want to be and in.
tend to be sure that Allen Parker is
;all he pretends to be, square and true
snd worthy Of the finest girl In the
city except your dear self. j
And Ada Porter" limited Alice
gently. 81
Noel's gloomy face regained some
ai0f Its natural sunshine as the weeks
went on. Lucia was gracious, kindly,
land quite sisterly whenever they met.
Allen PVT himself out to be not only
friendly, but useful to Noel. q He took
him In hand In a business way. He
,instilled some beneficial trade princi.
sples into his mind and Noel was quite
proud when. through the instrumental.
lily Of Allen, he was advanced both in
position and salary. ~
One morning Allen phoned him that
Ihe would be delayed with client and
Noel took command Of the managerial
I0ffice. He went through the mail, and,
schancing to open drawer in Aliens
desk searching for some blank vouch-
,ers, his eyes became fixed upon pre-
sentiment that chained attention and
!suspicion.
\; There lay two one hundred dol
liar bank notes pinned to card on
which was written "Octayia Muir.
head" An open sheet lay in full view.
FAT the Blue Garden" it read. AT
precisely nine, Tuesday evening.
Bring the money" That was all, but
lit was enough to arouse Noel to set.
tiled conviction that Allen Parker was
jdeceiving Lucia, was proving himself
unworthy of the pure, innocent girl
8iwho was betrOthed to him. The Blue
Garden was rendezvous for the gid.
3idy and dissipated Of both sexes. The
familiarity wOrded note, the card, the
money, all placed Allen under certain
suspicion. III 4..5
Noel jumped at. conclusion. He
felt 1t a duty to follow down further
1.-THE possible perfdy Of Allen. There
was but one thing to do, he decided
|learn more details of Allen Parker's
Interest in this Octayia Muirhead and
then warn Lucia. At nine o'clock that
,eYening Noel, feeling somehow treach.
erous, but striving to believe he was
Iacting as the champion Of innocence,
4 sat in secluded corner of the rem.
fdezvous appointed. He saw flash.
lily dressed, bold-acting rouged won,
ian meet Allen. Money passed be-
tween them and then the woman hand.
ed folded paper to him. Noel start.
ed to leave the place so as to be able
] to continue the trail Of Allen further.
IA crowd at the door delayed him. He
Twas abashed as a hand was placed on
'.his shoulder.
/ "Why, Noel |" spoke Allen. "What
lin the world brings you to a place like
lthisT
II was wondering the same thing
;.about you" stammered Noel in an EN-.
ibarrassed, yet challenging way.
! If Allen suspected that he had been
followed he did not say so. A thought.
jful expression came Into his face.
Then he handed the paper he had re.
ceived from the woman to Noel.
"Old fellow" he said kindly, II have
been working to buy that document
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