The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-07-29
Hearts of Gold !
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB :

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright. 1919. BY the western News
paper Unlon)
Eleanor Boyce trod the shady foot
paths Of the park with eyes cast down
and heavy heart. She evaded the
gay groups, for her spirits were not
in accord with festivity or companion
ship. She came to where they had
been filling in refuse and rubbish. Dis
NAL and grews0me as was the spot, at
least there she could be alone and
think out the problem Of her sorry ex-
istence.
For over a month she had been out
Of work, and but for the kind hearted
ness Of her landlady she would have
been without q roof to shelter her.
It was a poor place at the best, but
there were other struggling beings
like herself. She was thinking just
now of one of these unfortunates,
young man named Dexter Brill. In
his more flourishing days he had been
courteous and considerable to her, had
invited her to the theater once or
twice, was a player Of the violin and
an excellent singer, and acquaintance
with him had been pleasure to
Eleanor.
For a week he had been ailing and
Mrs. Booth and Eleanor had been
faithful nurses and friends. Eleanor
had exhausted her last dollar N the
purchase of fruits and ice. Brill had
laughed at the anxieties o. those two.
"I'll be all right in few days." he
told them, but for two days past a
sort Of lethargy had come over him
and Mrs. Booth had said to Eleanor:
"Mr. Brill is a sick man, dearie, and
I'm afraid we will have to send him
to the hospital. He has no money
and am way behind in my rent, and
oh the poor good souls that little
| helD in time Of need would help
! along!" and Eleanor went out trying
to get a position at any price and
failed. sThen this gloomy Isolation at
| the edge Of the park.
She noted a frayed edge Of the
wrap she wore, the broken shoe, and
! poked at the dirt about it aimlessly
with the point Of her umbrella. She
never took off it's case for fear the
tattered fabric would fall to pieces.
AS she prodded she abruptly leaned
forward-a bright CLINT caught her
eye. She poked anew and drew a
great long breath as a tiny but
gorgeous lady's watch came into view
With eager, trembling hands Flea
nor brushed the dirt from the dainty
bit Of jewelry. The case was encrust'
ed with diamonds.
1T must be WORTH" and Eleanor
figured out an extravagant value. Then
her face fell. "But 1t is not mine, "
she whispered to herself. She arose
with some precipitancy, looking ex-
citedly all about her, holding tightly
! to the priceless bundle with her hand
in her dress pocket.
"Oh, dearie! Mr.. Brill has had a
! very bad SPELL" greeted her as she
reached home. "We must either send
! him away or get a doctor"
II will attend to that at once" said
| Eleanor. Her lips compressed and
her statuesque face showed like a
mask Of stern justice. Regaining the
street Eleanor entered the first pawn
! shop she came to.
81 wish to borrow twenty dollars
till l earn some money" she said.
II would buy the watch for a much
larger price," limited the pawnbroker,
an avaricious CLEAN In his selfish eyes.
| 1T is beauty-yes, and worth so
much as many hundred dollars"
mo, 1 do not wish to SELL" said
Eleanor, and on her way back home
| left word for q doctor.
1t seemed as though brighter skies
and new inspiring hopes were to be
awarded by fate all around after that.
Within a week Dexter Brill was up
and we'll and on his feet in business
way. Eleanor had secured work. At
the end Of the month she visited the
pawnshop.
II wish to pay ten dollars on the
watch" she said, contemplating its
full redemption later and meantime
advertising for an owner.
The pawnbroker made an ado about
, OBTAINING her. He went to rear
room and telephoned. AS Eleanor
was about to leave a man came in
from the street.
"You will excuse me, miss" he said,
"but I am from the police depart
ment of justice, and it IS necessary for
me to question you. How came you
by that watch?' d.
Eleanor was f1ustered somewhat, but
she narrated a clean, convincing story.
Could she lead the detective to the
spot where she had found it? ooh,
surely!" and in the rubbish heap the
officer probed until he brought to light
a dozen similar pieces of valuable
jewelry.
He explained to Eleanor how the
jewelry had belonged to wealthy So
ciety woman. The receptacle holding
them, a silk bag, had disappeared
supposedly stolen by some servant.