Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-01-23
Hidden Spoil
ByADA RANKIN LUSTRELL

When Robert Wayne was amid pow
erty and grief oyer the recent death
Of cherished wife and anxiety as to
the future of his daughter Viola,
girl of sixteen, he received word that
he had been left 80 acres of land near
Walton by distant relative, and
he Frightened up with new courage
and hope.
"Eighty acres! Why, I have longed
for ten, and considered it the great
est boon fortune could bestow upon
me-"
II am 50 glad" enthused Viola.
"You have had to work so hard and
so long in the city here. Oh, father!
think, think, if it is not already a
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 u.s."
EYES," replied Mr.. Wayne, new am
bition kindling in his eyes. 1--WE will
make the wilderness blossom fike the
rose!"
Robert, Wayne went to visit his
priced 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 limestone quarry, which had
beer excavated to the depth of over
hundred feet to provide a county
with roadbed material. 1t 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 a 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 a
real house could be built.
If Viola was disappointed she never
shack with CHEEKY: ooh, father!
we'll make mansion Of it before we
get through"
A new element, and displeasing
one, came into their lives with the ap-
pearance Of young man who per-
sistently forced his attentions upon
Viola. This was Martin Freer, who
lived a mile distant. He and his fam
lily had regulations none too savory as
to honesty and industry, and there
were sundry hints that it was puz-
zle how Freer had so much money to
throw away, while he never seemed
to do any work.
II don't like this young fellow, VI
ola," Mr.. Wayne said. .*"I hope you
will not encourageIhis visits
II have tried to make him under
stand that his calls are not welcome"
replied Viola.
Freer was an audacious, and at
times offensive, person, with a 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 Mr.. Wayne, and
that Viola was cold and repellant. He
boosted Of very rich uncle abroad,
who sent him, fabulous sums monthly.
II believe the old quarry is haunt
3D." Mr.. Wayne told Viola one day.
Last night was the fourth or fifth
time 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 months vacation, as he gave It
out. He got acquainted with the
Waynes, and became a welcome Wis.
'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
serious motive.
'Mr. Wayne" he said, II have news
of some Importance to communicate
to you. First, wish to make the
confession that I am not a simple
tourist, but came down here as a rep
resentative of the state insurance COM
mission"
"You mean?" asked Mr.. Wayne.
'That for over a year some forty
automobiles a month have been stol-
en- in the city. Many of them have
disappeared utterly. received a 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 Mr.. Wayne.
1T was done so that INSCRIPTIONS
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.
hovo roo1o N xr,;%1,