Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-09-18
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| Price of Follv +;
! - VICTOR REDcLlPFE !
- VICTOR REDcIlFFE


tCepyx1xht. 1919. ~ the western Nsws-
paper union.l
"A good young mani" said Deacon
Leu barrow. and indeed Royce Ayl-
mer seemed worthy Of the designation.
In to estimation Of the venerable
chureh man. Boyd Hapgood was NOT
IN the same category. and yet the lat
ter had been the closest chum of Ayl-
mer. md at the very momeus that the
remazk was made the latter was bound
Tor hpzne TO read for q second time a
lettek he had received from Hapgood
In the city that day.
IL was only one Of q series that
Hapgood had written during six
months sojourn In the big metropolis.
Hs vas 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.
Hapeood had been somewhat discred-
tted while at Rossville. He Travelled
with q lively crowd, his parents pro-
vided literally for him and he had all
the promptings Of the spendthrift. For
an the contrast between the two, some
how a genuine friendship had sprung
up between them, and there had been
q mutual pledge that through all of
life they would stick to one another
and divide their last crust!
Its different with Hapgood," re-
hected Ayimer. HE has plenty of
spending money. and can dress well
ana throw It around. Then, too, he has
the influence Of city relatives to get
him Q good position. Where would l
be, with one common suit and less than
one hundred dollars capital? No. Hap
good and the city aren't for me until
can so there under better prospects,"
Still, the cautious Ayimer had q
longing to join his friend. He was sick
and tired Of shaving from early In the
morning until late ut night In a gen.
erai store for q beggariy pittance. One
influence alone held him to the town,
one especial being acted as though his
diligence, seenily courtesy and unpre--
teptious ways appealed to her own
practical nature. She was Alice Lisle,
One day there came q hurry call at
the store for Aylmer. For the first
time IN six years he asked his en-
ployer for half a day on.
sIt's my uncle. Mr.. Deane." ex-
planned Aylmer." He Is sick-dying.
his messenger teiis me. and wishes
me 70 come 70 him ut once"
"why. he doesn't seem to have paid
much attention to you I'm the past"
"No." agreed Aylmer. ''but he Is old,
he Ia my dekd mothers only brother.
! guess ne has led q pretty lonely and
miserable life. and Of course I can't
refuse to 60 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. II Ayimer
doesn't make II up with extra work
IN 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 Mt the last minute Mr..
Graham had left his entire fortune to
Aylmer. The young heir did not tubi-
late over this sudden and unexpected
accession Of wealth. Reserved and un-
pretentious. he kept his own counsel
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 a third OF IL. There
was a local church to be endowed.
Some benefits were to 60 to a theolog-
ical seminary. A new house was to be
built for two old ladies who were dis
tant relatives. Very faithfully Ayimer
attended to these beneficiaries. 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 It's pleasures with
the best of theml The only extrava-
gance to which so far Ayimer had
committed himself was the purchase
Of an automobile. As he started out In
Il one morning to look over the new
hnxRaa 4xRaH WnaAxr sAa -
ladies. q telegram was handed him. II
was from Boyd Hapgood and II pressed
him urgently TO come TO the city to
rescue him from q terrible tangie.
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
q 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.
Ayimer cleared up the money troubles.
set his friend on his feet once more.
and chastened. disillusioned, started
back for Rossville.
Il must have been fate that wrecked
his automobile near TO the Lisle home,
and further destiny that made pretty,
solicitous Alice his nurse for a week.
And I'm his eonvalescence Royce Ayi-
mer. under the influence Of the ideal
home life about him. shuddered as he
thought OF what the devouring city
hsd done for Boyd Hapgood. and was
content to forego all It's gilded fas-
cinations for the sweetest little wife
d tho woridi