The Press., 1920-01-29
By Hap-Hazard
 ~<D By CECILLE LANGDON
Copyright. 1919. by tho Western News.
 paper Unton.)

paper Union.)
 The well-dressed, smiling faced young man who alighted from the train at Ferndell, brisk, bright-eyed, magnetic, seemed to diffuse sunshine in every di- rection. To the most unObservant of mortals Alvin Ritter would have sug- gested being in love with the world and everybody in it. It was three months since he had been in the quaint little village. A travelling sales man, about a year previously he had made Ferndell his headquarters for the district and for week had roomed and boarded with a Mrs. Alma Warner, who had three little children and with whom there lived a young girl just budding into perfect woman hood-Myra Worth. Twice since then Alvin had visited Ferndell. The last time he had left deeply in love with Myra, and she knew 1t, and with de termination to place himself in a posi- tion where he felt sure of an income sufficient to support wife.
 And now he had returned, success full and buOyant. He sang and whis- tied as he made his way in the direc- tion of the humble little home that had been lode star in view for so many weeks. Then as he reached the rustic gate a chill permeated his veins.
 "Vacantr he breathed with quick tremor in his voice. What does 1t mean?" and after trying the front door and peering in at the window Alvin crossed the yard to that of the next neighbor. The woman there nodded to him in quite a friendly way, evi- dently remembering him.
 '"The Warners-Miss Worth?" spoke Alvin in an anxious tone.
 Mrs. Warner died two months ago and the young lady moved away. Poor, dear thing. She saw no hope of get ting living here, with the three little tots on her hands,"
 "But-you don't know where they have gOne? interrogated Alvin.
 ''I don't sir, but the man who runs the garage here can tell you. It seems that Miss Worth, looking for work, went to him. He has several gasoline stations along the Western highway and she is so spry and willing to work that ha made an arrangement to en- ploy her."
 "They-she left no word?" pressed Alvin.
 "No, sir, but I guess she would have wished to have seen you, in her deep trouble. l only think that because from what I saw when you used to come here; 1t seemed to brighten her up great deal. She is good girl sir. An orphan. and no relation to Mrs. Warner; that lady took her in and they become like sisters born. She stayed two weeks after Mrs. Warner died. It appears that on her death bed Mrs. Warner told her that she had sister teacher in a school at Cin- cinnati, who would surely provide for the children If appealed to. Miss Worth wrote to the school but she got letter back telling how Hilda Warner had married a rich gentleman named Despres two years before, but where they lived was not known"
 Alvin went at once to the town ga. rage and its proprietor told him of the station where Miss Worth was work. ing for him.
 "There's little house there," he ex. plained to Alvin, "and what Miss Worth does Is to supply passing auto mobiles with gas, oil and air. I saw her last week and she and the little ones are getting along nicely. A fine young lady, that! She seems to think 1t her duty to care for the children after the kindness of their mother, and is happy to have found a position where she can keep them with her."
 It was late In the afternoon of the next day that Alvin left train some forty miles from Ferndell and started down the broad highway on three mile tramp for the station to which the garage man had directed him Many automobiles dashed by him, and Alvin had covered about half the dis tance in view when he discerned q dark object lying at the side of the road. It proved to be a fur collar accidentally fallen from some speeding car. he decided. He examined it close ly. A little pocket on the inside o1 the collar held card that read: Mrs Hilda Despres, Arlington, Ohio."
 "Why. this is queer coincidence, he soliloQuized. "Hilda is the name o1 Mrs. Warmers sister, and Despres that of the man she married. Perhap: |. they will miss the wrap and come back this way to look for it," an( starting on again Alvin carried tho collar conspicuously on one arm. He proved to be a cOgent reasoner for shortly thereafter a machine fac ing him halted, it's driver stepped out explained that the collar belonged t( his wife in the rear seat of the auto and Alvin carried it to her.
 Myra Worth's eyes bore a glad. wei coming light as the DeSpres auto mobile drove up to the little station with Alvin a passenger. Mrs. Despres insisted on being taken to her sister: children at once after Alvin'S story She had never been able to locate hel sister, and now with wealth at hel command she promised to tenderlA care for the little WaifS.
 Another story. that of love and de v0t:on, Alvin Ritter told to Myra Worti that evening. And the noble girl wh. had been willing to sacrifice herSel1 to care for the little waifs of hel benefactress. blushing and happ' hailed with joy the prospect "F