The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-02-26
A Joyous
Helper
00
BY GENEVIEVE .ULMAR
Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper union)

IHdue up ner nina TO appOrLlOn TO MIN
the part of her estate she had intend
ed to leave him by will, he whistled
volubly in his natural impetuous style.
"You have shown yourself to be
sincere and contented young man, and
| shan't keep you waiting for dead
mans Shoes" she observed definitely.
II certainly never made any calcu
lations on yours" declared Laurence.
Whats more, I'm perfectly satisfied
and happy with my present lot. I'm
earning a living, everybody seems to
like me, like everybody"
swell, my lawyer will tell you what
l have done for you, and I am glad
have done it,
The first thing Laurence thought Of
after he found himself independent
and rich was to take a vacation. The
first person he planned on visiting was
Dudley Vernon.
1--WE pretty warm spot in my heart
for dear old Dud,' he told himself. HE
helped me to get through college; he
saved my life once"
So Laurence went down to Westport
and became a guest at the house Of
Dudley's widowed sister, with whom
Dudley lived.
A few days after he had arrived at
Westport, Laurence got Mrs. Aston
alone and sat down for a confidential
chat.
II am worried nearly to death about
ho ic olon
Won't you relieve my mind and put me
in the way of helping him?"
Dudley has been that way since he
returned from a months stay at
Adrian" said Mrs. Aston. II will tell
you all I know. It doesn't come from
him, but from an accidental discovery
1 made. Dudley seems to have fallen
in love with a young lady during his
vacation. I do not know her name,
only that she lives at Adrian. In his
waste basket few days since found
photograph torn in two. Here are
the fragments.''
II say!" calculated Laurence, scan
ming the joined pieces of cardboard
IF had picture like that I'd wear
it over my hearth
Il also found parts of a letter ap-
parently from the father Of the young
lady. 1t informed Dudley that he
could not look upon their engagement
with favor, as he had learned conf
dentially that Dudley's business was
at the point of failure
us that true?" inquired Laurence
II fear that it is. His lawyer, Mr..
Ames, tells me So"
Laurence visited the lawyer to find
that ten thousand dollars would place
his friend beyond the power of bust
ness disappointment. He went to
Adrian seeking for a young lady whose
name even he did not know. Her love
ly face, however was wildly impressed
upon his mind.
Fortune favored Laurence's plans.
He was traversing a residence street
of Adrian when he came upon large
wallet lying on the pavement. Lau-
renee picked it up to find it filled with
papers and money. Turning a corner
he nearly collided with hurrying fig
ure, flushed excited girl
Found at last" he breathed with
intense satisfaction as he recognized
her, and then observing that she was
scanning walk and street with eager
eyes he spoke aloud: Excuse me,
miss, but have you lost something's"
Eyes, oh! yes-a wallet containing
some very valuable papers was tax
ing to my fathers office from the
house,
us that it?' questioned Laurence,
and Miss Amalie Dutton took the wal
let rendered with joyous cry.
The incident led to their becoming
acquainted more fully, and within a
week Laurence was an accepted Wis
itor at the Dutton home. Through
wary investigation he learned that
Amalie knew Dudley Vernon, but she
did not seem to be intensely interested
when he was mentioned Persistently,
however, Laurence brought up the
name of his friend on every possible
occasion, particularly: before the par
ents of Amalie. He lauded Dudley, he
told of recent business troubles now
all adjusted, and Dudley on the way
to become millionaire. Then one
day there came vast surprise when
Amalie propounded the query:
"Mr. Colby, why is it that you are
always speaking of Mr.. Vernon? told
my friend, Virginia Bland, about it,
and she cannot understand your deep
interest in her fiance."
I'm her. what!' cried Laurence,
amazement, hope, mystery, delight
struggling for mastery in his heart.
"Her fance. They were to marry,
but her parents have objected and Vir-
ginia is very unhappy"
Not very long, however-for, quickly
discerning the blunder he had made,
Laurence set about righting the stu
alton. He learned that the photograph
must have been one given to Dudley
by Miss Bland. He now enlightened
Mr.. Bland. telling him how he had
braced Dudley financially. Amalie
heard Of this. By that time she and
Laurence had discovered their mutual
love.