The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-09-24
In Time
of Need
By ALvAH J. GARTH
&c, 1920, Western Newspaper unIon1

Morris Davenal stood s~pellbound
viewing a that seemed so lovely.
ytt hlny, that he almost deemed him.
self under a delusion. He had been
camping on the banks Of a river. occu-
plying a rude board shanty, and had
cut across what seemed to he the ex-
tenslve grounds OF a great, gloomy
mansion. AT the edge Of a glade a
hitting figure had crossed his range Of
vision.
1t was nearly midnight, and the
moonlight filtered down in a silyery
food and showed a form girlish. full
81 natural grace, aud a face the out
lines Of which were perfect. She drew
within the shadow Of a towering elm
tree and stood motionless, her ear bent.
her gaze fxeo.
She made a gesture of keen disap-
pointment as no one appeared.
Beyond the tree a man. evidently 4
worker about the grounds, suddenly
came into view. He halted. applied A
whistle 10 his lips and blew an eehoing
triil. The girl hurried in the direction
OF the house to be confronted by a sec
ond man, past middle age. who regard
ed her with sternness. almost anger.
You will not be warned" Davenal
heard him say, and there was the
venom Of menac in his tones.
"Please stand aside" spoke the girl
in ley tones. 81 viii return to my
room"
"And stay there, If you are wise
observed the man. you are trying to
play me false. Be careful-you know
the penalty~
Davenal delivered a deep breath like
one seeing an enhancing picture fade
into n%othingness. The scene remained
Imprinted on his memory all the way
to his temporary home neal the river.
He entered the d%ilapidated old shack
and sat for an hour lost In meditation.
Finally he aroused himself aud walked
over to a cupboard.
Again" he muttered, as its shelves
came into view. and the puzzled excla.
nation expressed his wonderment that
for the second time within twenty
four hours, someone had entered the
place and had made away with food
In the cupboard.
Dayenal threw himself on his couch
but memory Of the fair girl In the
moonlight remained for a long time
He finally slumbered, to rouse IN at
early daylight rs a groan disturbed
him. Ii was repeated. apparently from
an attic overhead. Davenal went TO a
corner where cleats were nailed along
the wall, assembled these and glanced
about the confined space under the
roof.
A human form was stretched out
ulpoh a heap Of old rags. moving nneas.
lily, with closed eyes. Davenal fancied
This must be the d~espoiIer Of his food
supply. He noticed that one font n
the Intruder was swathed in a handage.
touched his arm. Instantly the
a young man Of %presentahle an.
pearance. although he looked haggard
and distressed. awoke.
"Who are you?" challenged Dnvenal
II was only after persistent question
Ing that Davenal was able to gain the
Of the stowaway. He helped
him below, prepared q meal and M
tended to a bad cut on one foot. the
Of falling over a keen-edged
Finally the stranger told his story
He was Earle Wilton. and his wish 70
he vicinity was TO secretly meet his
Adrienne. She was n captive in
he power Of an unprincipled guardian
Who honed 10 gain her fortune BY fore
ne her TO marry him.
81 received a letter concerning the
Of affairs Wilton told Day.
nal. hut had to proceed with caution {
burrows hold on my sister was
MS claim that he had proof " my com
q forgery Of my fathers name
he died. II il false. but he ha.
he power to imprison me. In sixty
lays Adrienne win be Of age and can
iefy him. 'If I were not thus crinpled
could convey her to a safe hiding 5
;
let me help you" eagerly pleaded {
.)avenal, at once dlvlning that Miss Z
Adrienne Wilton was the fair girl Of :
he moonlight episode.
An hour later, appareled in his most &
commonplace attire. Davenal stroIled ;
the Dubrow place. The man with
he whistle Of the night previous hailed
I'm. Was he looking for work? was
e willing to put In Il forenoon's labor ,
n the lawn for a dollar? and soon
had located the room which
liss Wilton occupied and had also {
pied a long ladder IN the barn of the
lace. ,
Then he went back to the river
planned with Earle Wilton what
ley should do, made arrangements 10
ave an automobile on hand after dark. |
al Wilton write n note to his sister d
nd at midnight helped the startled T;
nd excited girl captive down the lad. I
err. FASTENED TO the Shpck Ind they !
ere miles away before daylight.
Dayenal accompanied brother ana d
ster 70 a retired village. saw them :
'mfortably settled and left them filled u
gratitude for his helpful atten.