The Press., 1920-02-26
The Test of Time,
Copyright. 1919, by the Western News
 paper Union.)
o0
By ALVAH JORDAN GARTH

t~~~~~~~~~~~~~>~>~~ ~>~~~>~~~~~~~~~~>s4 Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
 paper Union)
 Gerard Massey, the bad boy of the village, was eXpiatng the crime of some one who had fired an apple at farmer Warmers horse and gig, pre- cipitating a runaway. Gerard was squirmng in the powerful grasp of the outraged agriculturalist and ablaze with pain and resentment Smarted most under the realization that half dozen of his comrades at a distance were witnesses of his casti- gation. Nearer by little Fife Warner his true friend, though a sorrowful mourner over his constant escapades, was sObbing as though her heart would break.
 The farmer had spatched up a heavy leather strap and doubled it to rain the stinging blows on Gerard's shoul- ders. At length he gave Gerard fling and the strap after him.
 "There, young mani" he panted. There's more in store for you if you come meddling about my place again"
 "I could kill you!' hissed out Ger ard in a wild parOXysm of rage. "I hate you, and I'll raise a crowd and hang you to tree with this very strap!" He seized it as he spoke. Ger ard, gaining a grove just beyond the farmhouse flung himself down, his mind tempest tossed with thoughts of direful revenge.
 "Tll keep this strap" he declared. "I'll face that man with it sometime when the odds are equal" He was an orphan and his life with distant rel ative had few charms to hold him to Rushvile He was in disgrace, he had been whipped publicly! A gentler spir- it came to him as he thought of Fife.
 He left Nashville that night. His last act was to indite rude pencilled scrawl to Fife. q shall never forget yOu," he wrote, "and you have been kind to me like an own sister, but I will never forgive your father, nev- CT threw the apple. Think I'll give away my friends, though! I'm going away to make my living and grow big enough to some day make your father ray for disgracing me-"
 Gerards plans for the future were vague. It seemed, however, that for tune favored the homeless lad from the start. Ten miles from Nashville he was overtaken by a man driving an automobile. He looked pale and weakly as he hailed the foot traveller.
 Are you going far?' he inquired.
 Anywhere to get york;" responded Gerard.
 'TlI hire you. I am on a five hun lred mile trip to Chicago and am an an invalid. I can manage the wheel well enough, but it eXhausts me to get out of the machine. I'll pay you well to attend to the various little chores for me-yes, and maybe find you further work when we reach the city"
 They later went to large hotel for the night and Gerard slept on cot in the room occupied by his employer ready for any service required. It was just after midnight when Gerard aroused to dread alarm. The room was fled with smoke, beyond the win uoN NdS Sldlt, HeiiS anu SNl CdlIlo echoed through the building. He ran to the door and tore it open. Beyond a roaring mass of flames presented.
 "We are hedged in from below; our only chance is by the window" said Gerard, but a glance there was scarce ly encouraging His invalid charge was practically helpless. Quick witted
 
 out th> only desperate plan in view.
 After he had accomplished this he could scarcely credit the details. Five feet below was jutting section of roof. Still further below that was the projecting cOrnice of an adjoining building. The strap was the only medium Gerard could adopt, first to lower his companion. But for this frail strand of life both would have per Shed
 Endeared to him by his courage and daring the invalid took up Gerard as d protege Five years later when the former died he left Gerard large business, and the emotions and i'm pulses of the latter drifted into the mature experience of the successful business man.
 "The strap has brought me luck many time" meditated Gerard. But for it I would never have left home, but for. it I would have lost my life at the hotel fire. What a wild hater was of old John Warner in those days. and I wonder what has become of little Effie"
 One day there came to his desk she had applied for a position to the manager subject to the approval of his employer. As Gerard looked up the past suddenly burst upon his as tnnishcd vision. Then the applicant started and the light of recognition came into her face.
 Gerard gently spoke her name and took her hand. How lovely had Fife grown He encouraged her to talk, not as to a prospective employer, but to her friend It was wearisOme story of struggle and toll and loss that Fife recited. "It has been bad luck for poor father" she said. "He is all broken now. and we are both depend "nt upon my efforts for a livelihood"
 ''It seems that I have had all the uck." unused Gerard Massey, alone in his room that night Did it not all come from that leather strap? Ant Fife is more sweet and lovely thar nver"
 And he had vision that came true
 tl" sharing of thHt luck with hi.