The Crittenden press., 1920-08-06

By Evslya Lee

culated. fumbled the single coin In his
pocket aud started toward the open
door.
A foot away was y young man thin
ly and poorly clad.
The manly impulse of helpfulness
and generosity in Joyce's nature came
to the surface. lie linked his arul In
that OF the invalid and said genlally:
Il have Just enough for two por'
uOns Of that plate dinner. WIN you
Join met"
"You-you understand" STAN
mered the other.
THAT we are probably In the same
boat. hungry intimated Joyce gently.
"Oh. yesl It's my last half dollar, but
l shall enjoy sharing II with one In
somewhat harder lines, and he touched
the hand that leaned heavily On the
cane. Let me play the penny phllan'
thropst. II may change my luck"
ut will bring you good luck, yes"
spoke the other solemnly. Take my
prophecy, and | shant forget YOU ln u
hurry" and then. gentlemen both. they
discussed the plain hut simple meal AZ
enjoyably AS though II was royal
banquet.
You are the first real man | have
met In long time. WIN you give me
your address, may be able 10 re-
member your goodness IN time 10
come" said the beneficiary.
II have nome" replied Joyce prompt
ly. THE truth Is. unless | get work
today ! can hardly return TO my land
lady"
II have u shelter, 1t Is humble. poor,
but paid for up 10 Saturday night. Let
me pencil II down for you. Promise
me to share II with me II park bench
Is facing you"
Il agree" pledged Joyce. and they
parted.
joyce had number VI prospects.
The failure Of firm where he had
held II lucrative position deprived him
Of some money be had Invested with
them. and his salary for an entire
month. He had sought II new position
but II was In the vacation season.
At II street car intersection he found
q nickel. invested IL In some cheap
rolls and betook himself 10 Z little
park. II began TO rain. He travelled
from shelter to shelter. CHANGING to
note q number Of doorway he had
entered he dlscerned that he had
reached the address Of Robert Page"
Joyce through inquiry was directed TO
q wretched room In the attic. A candle
burned. but the apartment had no ten
ant at the present time. Joyce sat
down, glad to rest. Then his eye fell
upon n table He could not help but
notice there a newspaper clipping. II
read
"winston Page, sol Buena terrace,
will be rendered 4 banquet at the
Metropole by his banker associates
this evening. He leaves for Europe
with his daughter on the seventh"
Beside this WAS a written sheet and
an envelope Al that moment Robert
Page entered the room.
"You!" he cried In accents OF JOY.
1T seems you are always 10 be u
service to me. Friend. more than that
brother. my whole future depends
upon the delivery Of a letter by nine
O'Clock tonight. have no money to
employ a messenger"
d command me. as always" an
nounced Joyce cheeriy.
There Is the address" said Page.
and he placed the letter In an en-
velope. "'MIss Alvira Page, sol Buena
terrace Wait untn after nine, for by
then-a-a person who might question
you will have left the house"
II was well after nine when Joyce
street. Its front door stood open. He
penetrated the vestihule. In the hall,
lying fiat upon the floor. bound and
gagged. was a llyeried servant. Joyce
surrnised something wrong lie re-
lea sed the man. whats the troubler'
he asked rapidly.
"I.ooters. They have forced my
Young mistress To take them to the
p,steroom where the Jewel eases are"
The released csptiye led Joyc. into
q library, tore open wall case and
provided both with weapons.
.you remain below and t.l.phonr
for the polIc." directed Joyce and he
stole mn the stairs. He glanced
,hrouvb the omen doorway or A lighted
,oom In . chair over which hoy.r.d
. bu,,y ruf,,n with n pis,ol crouch.d
. s,r, uho.. h.nuty was dImm.d with
,,s ,aiior ~ . terrible dread Io.d.
,rs ,n,o . sack tho on,,.n, c,n,.n,s
%. hr.ss hound ,h.s, was . s,.rond