The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-01-22
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH

Huh :" calculated Deb bcwildcrcdly.
but the young man had coolly taken
his arm, led the protector Of Plympton
clear Of the grounds aud backed him
to tree. You're good friend VI
mine" prcfaced Morton.
Seeing ns you got me my present
Job-rather," acquicsced the old watch
man ferycntiy
4 know | can trust you with Sc
crct. Pretty Eunlce Trcscott loves me
and love her. Cruel parents who
look upon me as "a ne'cr.dn-well re-
fused me the hodsc--and have To- see
Eunlce once In a while. and ~ the sun
porch leads right Oh from her room.
aud my folding ladder II easy To- carry
along. We have clrcumyented grun old
papa. Clever. ehT'
Il declare" exclaimed Zeh. ~ there
was a click and a small contrivancc IN
Morton's hand shot out steel skcle-
ton framework a dozen feet Ia length
and then drew II back into a compact
mass he could place In his pocket
Made IL yourself. too. eh?'
That's about all I'm good for-pot.
tering In mechanics" replied Morton
rather ruefully. mot much for any.
thing else. That's why my attentions
10 Eunice have dlSguntled the old
folks. Now then. Deb. keep your own
counsel and don't take me for crncks-
man next time you see me around
here"
Deb looked fondly after Morton ms
he disappeared. Then he shook his
head gravely. Needless. headstrong
Morton Wells. model as To habits and
character. was looked upon as an Inn
practical dreamer. He had liked to
fuss with tools" since he was an ur.
chin. and this prediction had been
present in mis- later years. For all that.
the girls of the town adorcd him and
the young men treasured him ~
companion and friend.
II was three nights after the cpl.
sode OF the sun porch that old Z.b
halted as he was passing the Prescott
place. as was his custom several times
between dusk aud dawn.
"Helloi" he n uttered-"some more
mystery. certainly heard groan."
IL echoed from the rear OF the Tres
colt home and Zeb entered the grounds
As he neared one-etory wing of the
house he made discovery. Upon ths
ground lay a motionless form: out
spread upon the grass was the ladder
Morton Wells had shown him the Mon
day previous
Zeb glanced at the house. II was
dark and silent. II did not take him
long To figure out the situation. Nor.
ton had made one of his daring visits
to his darling. and In descending To
the ground had missed his footing. or
the ladder had collapsed. and here lac
was. the evidence Of the fact. Zeb
WAS too good friend TO Morton to
arouse the Trescott family, thus be-
traying his fnvorite's clandestine visits.
lie tried 10 arouse Morton. but the lat
ter was unconscious. Ieb lifted him
bodily and got him Ia the street. He
rested him under a tree. Ia the course
of a few minutes Morton was restored |
TO sensibllity. lie WINGED with pain
as he tried 10 use one arm.
"Irs broken. Zeb." he told the
Get me home. will your
And say-afterward 90 and get that
ladder. II it's found the Tresc0tts viii |
guess what I've been up to. III be
around In a dsy or two again and don't |
want 20 be shut out from seeing En-
nice"
But Morton's prediction was with"1,
basis. For week he was under the
surgeons care WIN orders 10 rcmaln
lulet. aud with the injured member In
! plaster cast for fortnight longer.
IFS wealthy brother from the city, who
rad been somewhat distant with him
Tor year or two ON account of his
shifting ways. came down 10 see him.
he wheedled cut Of Zeb the fun lie
ails OF the accident lie examined the
adder with manifest interest. lie. ION.
ook.d over several experiments 10 the
Say ~ invention In the workroom Of
lis MiSul brother.
Hes a genius. young Morton ID"
declared the loyal Deb. There isn't
|, finer young man In Plympton. and n
someone took sold ~ him aud set him
IN hls feet right he'd win In the cod"
Il think see my way a. eHcourag
ng him 10 a start" replied Arnold
Wells. speculative look In his eye.
My business i the manufacture ~
lardwar. novelties. and that ladder
and one or two other NH. inventions
II Morton's cone right In our line"
lie told Morton this. too. gave him
some brothsriy advice. a pretentlous
heck for his Inventions. -nered fair
for years service In !
ais business establishment. and Nor
Ion sieadied down into sensible susi.
ness man.
As a prosperous aud accepted son.
NAV To the parpnts Of Eunlce they |