The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-10-22
Cashing In
BY ALDEN CHAPMAN

did it," vaunted Bradley Worth. "They
weren't so big and ungainly when
left home for the diggings ten years
ago. Now / can afford to wear kid
gloves all the time If l want to, and
diamond ring on every finger If
like. I've cashed in, and I'm going
back East with enough to keep me for
life and a lot to spare"
The brOnzed, sturdy favorite of the
mining camp looked proud and happy
as he babe farewell to his old chums
at the hotel at Lucky Gulch. He was
modest in his claims, as all of them
knew. After working hard at pick and
shovel year after year, he had struck
the richest gold vein in the district
and had sold it at fabulous price.
He had given "the boys" a royal
feast in the shape of farewell dinner.
An old friend, Tom Wade, only got in
to the automobile with him that was to
take them over to the nearest railroad
station.
Il never Dragged of it. Tom," spoke
Worth, buoyantly, as they sped along
but the native town / am going back
TO, Bradley, was named after our fam
| lily. count great things OH that
sleepy, old-fashiOned little burg now.
| I've got two dreams. One is making
Bradley what it ought to be. l hear
the railroad has been built up to it.
Maybe they've got gas and electric
lights, too, but, whatever or however,
the great ambition of my life is to
use half I've got in building up that
dear little town where all my old-time
| friends live"
BE a sort of king among em, eh?"
suggested Tom Wade.
"Oh, l don't care for that" replied
Worth. 81 just want to make those
| | know, happy. Say, they are true,
good friends, you bet. When they
hear I'm coming they will have the
town all lit up; flags waving, buildings
made good. Near the old post Office
l used to pitch horseshoes in front of,
I'll put bronze statue of the founder
of the town, my grandfather. I'll do
nate them a bandstand, a new library
and a fountain. Then I'll settle down
among them.
Fine" commented Tom Wade.
"And your second dream, WORTH" but
the auto just then whirled up to the
railroad depot, was barely in time for
the, train, and Worth steamed away
alone, full Of the double vision.
There was both sentiment and sad
ness in his open honest face as he re-
flected upon that second" dream. 1t
was of Myra Norton way back at
Bradley more than decade ago. He
had courted her, but rival appeared
before he had told his love. He learn
ed of her engagement to Wilbur Gray,
never went near her again, and when
he was told that the wedding day was
named left an environment where dis
appointment had clouded his life.
"Tlfe best man wins" he said phil
osophically, "and 1 guess Gray is a
better one than / amin money way,
anyhow. If Myra Is happy, that is all
l care for"
And now, time having assuaged his
sorrow, but never having dimmed his
loyal, manly love, he had foremost in
his thoughts the only woman he had
ever cared for. 1t would be gladstone
to see her again. Perhaps little chill
dren had come along. His generous
unseltish nature was appealed to. If
he could do them or the family any
good, how cheerfully would he award
his services and means
There came to Bradley Worth the
browning surprise of his life when two
days later the train rolled into Bradley.
He stood rooted to the depot platform.
He stared, he fairly gasped There
was station built on the most modern
plans. Beyond lay no longer town,
but bustling, thriving little city.
Square after square of elegant store
edifces showed, public library,
great fountain-yes, and there was a
statue of his ancestor after whom the |
town had been named.
A shattered dream lay in fragments |
at his feet, for the work he had antici- |
pated had all been done. Amid such
finished improvements and local
wealth his own counted as grain of |
sand. He walked down the principal
street. Not person greeted him. He
did not see a familiar face.
1t was a rather mournful homecom-
ing. Then he paused and glanced in
at the window of neat up-to-date
establishment. miss An
nette Norton" he read. He recalled
a sister Of Myra of that name. Yes,
there she was inside, showing trace
Of the years. She was alone. Worth
entered the shop.
"Why, Mr.. WORTH" she at once ex-
and the recognition pleased
him. They discussed the past, his alb
sence, Fthe present.
"And your sister," he ventured final
y. "And the children?"
"The children" repeated Annette
Norton vaguely.
"Why, yes" continued Worth, "and
Mr. Gray?"
"Oh. / See" murmured the 1Ddy |