The Sun. [volume] (Price, Utah) 1915-1932, 1920-06-04
From
1ie Depths
~
BY VICTOR REDcLTFFE
Copyright. 1919 By "a. w.u.ru news.
paper unionl

AhAaH ~ hNhHAhFIfh Nilt
well bestowed. A presumptuous, con-
ceited individual. he did not pause TO
number other qualifications that he did
not possess. but which might have a
good deal to do with Miss Vera Cor
don's Ideal Of a perfect man.
II fancy I've made hit already" he
observed with an air Of confidence.
"of course Wayne Merton Is quite
a fayorlte with the Oordons," went on
Maxwell's friend. "but his humdrum
ways are no comparison to your fetch.
ing qualities. heyT
THAT cad ." blared forth Maxwell In
a really riotous way. "How hate
him They say he has money. but he
doesn't show H. He'll never last with
the exclusive and aristocratlc gordons,
though. can tell you that. Between
you and me a little investigation on my
part has brought to light n solution Of
his mysterious past TO which he never
refers. When the tactical moment ar.
rlves ! have n mine to spring"
And the man OF egotlsm and vanity
went his way. pulled up over the
cheap and inslncere admiration o. n
hypocritical friend and ehuckllng as
he reflected over the clever trap he
had set TO discredlt Wayne Merton.
Maxwell had reason TO dislike and
fear his rival. While all the 0ordons
knew about him was that no was re.
ported Of independent means, he had
attracted Vera because he was 10 df.
ferent 20 the average young man OF
her set. II was n pleasure 20 have his
company. She knew he was the author
or series Of powerful and practical
articles In the newspapers along phil.
anthroplc lines. lie deplcted IN these
the crying needs Of the poor. the ig
norant and the oppressed. She had
been fascinated while attending a lee.
ture he delivered.
Vera had done considerable In
church relief work and was absorbed
In H. The evenings when Maxwell
called had little interest for her. His
curriculum begun with golf and ended
with automobilinK. lie had no lnsplra.
ton OF imagination aud helpfulness.
Maxwell felt very sangulne OF max.
Ing a "ten-strike" one day as he called
upon Vera. lie had got fully ready
20 cxtlnguish Merton. An adjunct 20
his plot was a police sergeant whom
he had bribcd and cajoled into assist.
Ing him In q certain way.
Miss Gordon" said Maxwell. my
cousin. Miss Bruce. has come 10 the
city for a week. She Is quite a social
worker and IL anxious 20 see some.
thing Of the seamy side Of life. have
arranged Co give her n view OF a police
court session. Wouldn't you like to
Join usi"
Vera was ht once Interested and the
next morning Maxwell and Miss Bruce
called for her. His automobile landed
them az the police station and the trio
entered the courtroom, The experience
was novel. pathetic. Illuminating all az
once 90 the two young ladies'. They
were serious, shocked ~ tears nc
times. as poor humanity was paraded
before them IN various appealing
gulses. Then Maxwell suggested that
they view the station routine In It's
main room a police sergeant met them
and showed them the cells, the food
given the prisoners and told Of the
daily grlst that went through the mill
OF justice.
"a terrible record these books con.
tain" he observed. placing his hand on
= - L. sWHhaN - m
old one-i9ll," added the sergeant as
Maxwell casually, apparently. opened
a book.
Look. Miss Gordon" spoke the lat.
ter; "nearly tifty names 20 the page.
Why, II can't be possible Wayne
Merton, dlsorderly, age twenty-five;
fined ten dollars and costs.
"Oh that cannot be our Mr. Mer'
ton :" spoke Vera, startled and with 4
quick catch IN her breath.
"Whnt's the namei Wayne Merton"
spoke up the sergeant 'IIe was n
pretty regular old timer. Drink was
his failing. Haven't heard from him
OF late years" and then the speaker
described the man he was speaking OF
and Vera turned sick at heart, for
the description OF that Wayne Mer-
ton precisely accorded In general
terms with that Of her Wayne Mer-
ton.
'Pd like 20 show you our rogues'
gallery" said the sergeant. and Max
well and Miss Bruce followed him.
Vera did not join them, She stood
pale and agltated, her eyes nxed upon
the record book where the name OF
Wayne Merton appeared. The police
clerk stared strangely as he noted a
tear fall upon the soiled page
do you know Wayne Merton, miss1"
he asked. 1T Is a name we are very
proud OF. For two years he seemed try
ing 10 drown his grief over the death OF
two sisters. About three years ago
all OF a sudden he found his right
mind. Ever heard OF the Refuge homer
Wen, many a tramp can tell you who
built it-Wayne Merton. They say
he gave half his fortune to supply a
cheap hotel for poor country girls com
ing 20 the city 10 find work"
And now the tears flooded the fair