The Cordova daily times., 1919-09-23
} Hidden Spoil
 By ADA RANKIN LUSTRELL

or a cherished wife and anxiety as to the future of his daughter Viola. girl of sixteen, he received word that he had been left 30 acres of land near Walton by distant relative, and he brightened up with new courage and hope.
 Eighty acres Why, have longed for ten, and considered it the great est boon fortune could bestow upon me-"
 II am so glad" enthused Viola. "You have had to work so hard and so long in the city here. Oh, father think, think, if 1t is not already nice little farm, we can make it one. And I can help you get a real living, with birds and flowers and everything beautiful about us."
 "Yes," replied MT. Wayne, new am bition kindling in his eyes. "We will make the wilderness blossom ike the rOse!"
 Robert Wayne went to visit his prized acquisition, to have his high spirits considerably dampened Wal ton was small quiet village, and the 80 acres were located just beyond it's limits. The major portion of it had been a limestone quarry, which had been excavated to the depth of over a hundred feet to provide a county with rOadbed material. It had been abandoned and nearly filled up with water,
 Mr. Wayne found that only 20 acres of the tract could be made available There had been frame structure at the edge of the quarry. A helper was hired to dismantle it, the material re- moved and a habitable shelter con- structed that would answer until real house could be built.
 If Viola was disappointed she never indicated it. She came into the rude shack with a Cheery: "Oh, father! we'll make a mansion of it before wn get through"
 A new element, and a displeaSing one, came into their lives with the ap- pearance of a young man who per sistently forced his attentions upon Viola. This was Martin Freor, who lived a mile distant He and his fam fly had regulations none too savOry as to honesty and industry, and there were Sundry hints that it was a pug gle how Freer had so much money to throw away, while he never seemed to do any work.
 "I don't like this young fellow. Vi- ola" Mr. Wayne said. q hope you will not encourage his visits"
 "I have tried to make him under stand that his calls are not weIcome," replied Viola.
 Freer was an audaciOus, and at dimes offensive, person, with force full, aggressive way about him that carried him through in most instances. He had the sense to discern, however, that he had created an antipathy against himself in MT. Wayne and that Viola was cold and repeIant He bOasted of a very rich uncle abroad, who sent him fabulous sums monthly.
 "I believe the old quarry is haunt ed," MT. Wayne told Viola one day.
  time I have been awakened by queer sounds in it's direction. Strange calls and heavy rolling, and then splaShing echoes" But both forgot about this amid the pressure of their home du- ties. About this time a new element came into the quiet lives of father and daughter, A pleasant, manly young fellow, Barton Lee, came to Walton to pass a months vacation, as he gave it out. He got acquainted with the Waynes, and became a welcome vis- itor, much to the discontinue of Mar tin Freer. One morning early he ap- peared with gravity of manner that at once told Viola that the visit had a serious motive.
 "Mr. Wayne" he said, "I have news of some importance to communicate to you. First, I wish to make the confession that I am not simple tourist, but came down here as a rep reSentative of the state insurance con- mission"
 "You mean?" asked MT. Wayne.
 ANdL IO1 OFCL yCdA 0OAlC 1OIly automobiles a month have been stol- en in the city. Many of them have disappeared utterly. received tip and came down here to watch Martin Freer, who has been a member of the gang who have run the machines out to Walton and dumped them into the old quarry"
 "Why, what for? Incredible!" '" gasped MT. Wayne.
 ''It was done so that interruptions owners could thereby claim full value from the insurance companies. Freer is in Jail, and has confessed. At least fifty cars lie hidden under the water of the old quarry"
 Barton Lee had completed his mis- sion and departed for the city. Viola missed him greatly. Her heart sang with joy when he returned.
 "I have made an arrangement with the insurance company to go into the