Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-12-02
From
13ie Depths

Ply VICTOR RGDcLIFFE

pOSlQOn, gOOQ LOOKS.
Grant Maxwell perked up consider
ably. He considered the compliment
well bestowed. A presumptuous, con-
ceited individual, he did not pause TO
number other qualifications that he did
not possess, but which might have a
good deal to do with Miss Vera Cor
don's ideal Of a perfect man.
II fancy I've made hit already" he
observed with an air of confidence.
'.Of course Wayne Merton is quite
a favorite with the Gordons." went on
Maxwelrs friend, but his humdrum
ways are no comparison to your fetch
ing qualities. hey?"
THAT cad!" blared forth Maxwell in
a really riotous way. How l hate
him They say he has money, but he
doesn't show it, He'll never last with
the exclusive and aristocratic Gordons,
though, 1 can tell you that Between
you and me little investigation on my
part has brought to light a solution of
his mysterious past to which he never
refers. When the tactical moment ar
riveS have q mine TO spring"
And the man of egotism and vanity
went his way, pulled up over. the
cheap and insincere admiration of a
hypocritical friend and chuckling as
he reflected over the clever trap he
had set to discredit Wayne Merton.
Maxwell had reason to dislike and
fear his rival. While all the Gordons
knew about him was that he was re-
ported of independent means, he had
attracted Vera because he was so diff
ferent to the average young man OF
her set. 1t was a pleasure TO have his
company. She knew he was the author
of series of powerful and practical
articles in the newspapers along phil
anthropic lines. He depicted in these
the crying needs of the poor, the ig
norant and the oppressed. She had
been fascinated while attending lee
ture he delivered.
Vera had done considerable in
church relief work and was absorbed
| in it. The evenings when Maxwell
| called had little interest for her. His
curriculum began with golf and ended
with automobiling He had no inspira
ton of imagination and helpfulness.
Maxwell felt very sanguine Of maxi
ing 'ten-strike" one day as he called
upon Vera He had got fully ready
| to extinguish Merton. An adjunct to
his plot was a police sergeant whom
he had bribed and cajoled into assist
| ing him in a certain way.
Miss Gordon said Maxwell, ''my
| cousin, Miss Bruce, has come to the
| city for week. She is quite social
| worker and is anxious to see some
| thing of the seamy side of life. have
| arranged to give her view of police
court session. Wouldn't you like to
| join us?"
Vera was at once interested and the
| next morning Maxwell and Miss Bruce
| called for her. His automobitesi LANDED
| them at the police station and the trio
| entered the courtroom. The experience
was novel, pathetic. Illuminating all at
once to the two young ladies. They
were serious, shocked to tears at
| times, as poor humanity was paraded
before them in various appealing
guises Then Maxwell suggested that
| they view the station routine. In its
main room police sergeant met them
and showed them the cells. the food
given the prisoners and told of the
daily grist that went through the mill
| of justice. *
"a terrible record these books con-
TAIN" he observed, placing his hand on
heap of large volumes. THAT is an
old one-1911," added the sergeant as
Maxwell casually, apparently, opened
| book.
'Look, Miss Gordon" spoke the lat
| ter; nearly fifty names to the page.
Why, it can't be possible! Wayne
| Merton, disorderly, age twenty-five;
| dned ten dollars and COSTS"
"Oh, that cannot be our Mr.. Mer-
toni" spoke Vera, startled and with
J Slick catch in her breath.
whats the name? Wayne Merton"
spoke up the sergeant. He was
| pretty regular old timer. Drink was
his failing. Haven't heard from him
| of late years." and then the speaker
| described the man he was speaking of
and Vera turned sick at heart, for
the description Of that Wayne Mer-
ton precisely accorded In general
| terms with that Of her Wayne Mer-
| ton.
I'D like to show you our rogues
| gallery" said the sergeant, and Max
well and Miss Bruce followed him.
Vera did not join them. She stood
| pale and agitated, her eyes fixed upon
the record book where the name Of
Wayne Merton appeared The police
clerk stared strangely as he noted
tear fall upon the soiled page.
do you know Wayne Merton missr
| he asked. 1T is name We are very
proud of. For two years he seemed try
| ing to drown his grief over the death of
two sisters. About three years ago
| all of a sudden he found his right
mind. Ever heard of the Refuge home.
Well, many tramp can tell you who
| built it-Wayne Merton. They say
he gave half his fortune to supply a
cheap hotel for poor country girls COM
ing TO the city to find work"
And now the tears flooded the fair
face of Vera Gordon. but for Joy.
II am proud of him !" she whispered
fiutteringly. And then, in sudden ex-
cess Of the deepest emotion: "and ]
love him."
Wouldn't DO at All.
ho6