The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-09-24
The
Better Part
By MURIEL E

Love and charity had played i'm
portant parts In the career of Mark
Wallace, and he had entered into the
sentiments Of the same with earnest
ness and faith. Upon only one woman
had he bestowed the fervor Of a stead
tast affection, had basked In the sun
light of her smiles for a brief period.
ana then she had fitted like some
beautiful bird and he was left desc
late.
Esther Wayne had been very friend
ly to Wallace, and had he been of a
o veitureSome nature he might
never have lost her. Unexpectedly
Miss Wayne had become heiress to a
fortune. It took her away for a
month settling up an estate. In the
mehntime extravagant stories of her
wealth came 10 the ears of Wallace.
She and her Young brother, Sidney.
were to return and build a fifty
thousand dollar mansion. rumor said.
II placed the WayneS on a pedestal of
social and moneyed prestige that fair
~ daunted Wallace. He was poor.
obscure-bow could be ever hope TO
win this rare paragon of beauty and
fortune. He decided that 1t would be
best for his peace of mind to "a away
and try to forget her.
This in fact he never did, but he
was somewhat huoyed up by his sue
cess In securing n position In the city
at three times his former country town
salary. He made steadfast progress
and this was well, for II took his mind
away from sorrow and despair. He
settled down to a quiet, steady going
life and sought in kindly deeds a com.
peDsation for the loss OF love.
II he had only known it, Esther
Wayne had come back TO her native
town hoping to find him there, and
disappointed and more than that when
she learned that he had left the place
permanently. II was natural that she
should decide that lie had never cared
Tor her outside of casual acquaintance.
ship. For a long time Esther cher
her W dream Of affection. then
sought to Danish its memories and
married a man, Eris Danvers, who
sought her only for her fortune, dis
nearly half Of 1t and left her
+, widow at the end Of a year.
Esther had gone through an expert.
nee that ages the soul, and the ole
and old friends TOO had grown
iiSlasieful 10 hel She removed Ia
city where Sidney, then only ten
Of age, could receive the benefits
Il a superior education. They mad
heir home with a family who accom-
nodated a few chosen boarders. III,
ON of the family, at table one evening
made a remark hat suddenly opene,
flood gates OF memory with Esther
n a strangely acute way, /,
I've got the happlest man in the
for my boss, they tell me.
poke the young man. He is IN, =
ianager Of nj firm and | heard hi
istory today. He has been With tic
for five years and his name Is
lark Wallace
Esther was startled and a futter OF
motion crossed her face. bur she was
nobseryed by those present. She wa>
iger TO hear more.
He's the friend Of everybody In IN, =
Establishment and jolly as can be-
ways a word of cheer from the Ole H,
ichelor, as they call him. one OF
le fellows at one desk told me thai
+. Wallace waS disappointed in low,
Ears ago, and that he has never
0ked at a woman since his first love
Suppointed him. ! just tell you this
cause he doesn't act like the forlorn
ming lover with a broken heart. II,
st pulled himself together and sought
new line of Understanding good to
They say that from the first
~ he came 10 the store he faithfully
II aside exactly half of his earnings.
very Saturday night he starts NJ TO :
END this surplus dresses up in the
nsl commonplace way, goes down ins
the slumS and hunts for poor fami
Is Ia trouble. neglected children, the y
RI, the weak. the unfortunate Makes
system and a business of It. He has
mpensated for the loss Of the love
one woman by cherishIng that of
e whole world"
Esther managed TO see Wallace sew
al times during the next mouth, but
ways at a distance. He had improved
nh the years. The beneicent ok =
Of his calm, vet pleasant face ;,
ID Of an unSeldsh and a sacrificing
MI.
There opened up no way that
ought them together, although Is
er looked for that welcome material.
alton. Then her constant Thought,
Wallace We're broken in upon by nm
.rirrence that distracted her. Sidney
.ayne did not return from school on,
y. and no trace could he secured of
The police were satisfied tina L,
band of city runians had abducted
ID were holding him IN captivity to
rec his wealthy sister to ransom
H.
Esther was heartsick with anxler
ID dread. Size was mourning owe
e new trouble tlat had come to her
hen one afternoon she heard welcome
mes IN the hall below her room nne