Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-05-13
David Confesses
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS

David was a bachelor with SO much
money that he often fell to wondering
how he had accumulated ii all and
why some chap with brains didn't get
some of 1t away from him. He HIM
self couldn't use it all if he supported
d round dozen orphan asylums, hun
dred widows with half a dozen chill
dren and ran thoroughbred stable.
AS matter of fact, unknown to
most people, David did all these things.
He supported widows and near-widows
and many charitable organizations,
but lived most simply himself, prefer
ring the service of single faithful
valet to a retinue of servants.
1t was, therefore, with particular in
ierest that he read in The lost and
found column of the Daily Graphic the
following notice:
"LOst-$l000O i'm 500 bills. En-
tire account of widow with five chill
dren. Mrs. Milward. West Seventy
seventh street"
David was straightway torn with
suffering for that little widow. Her
own feelings must nssuredly be pros
trated. David greved as If the loss
was his own.
Ten thousand dollars was but a
single drop in the ocean of his wealth.
And there was a poor little widow
making herself i'll over the loss Of that
amount.
David would return 1t to her. The
Sta ha, n
800 bills. David would take that
amount to her and say that he had
picked it up In an envelope on the
street. The thing seemed easy of ac-
cOIhplshment.
He jumped into his yellow roadster,
went to the bank, drew the money,
and proceeded toward the address Of
Mrs. Milward
David was greeted at the door by
charming child of perhaps three
summers. and behind her seemed q
regular collection Of children, golden
haired, violet-eyed and full of the joy
Of childhood.
They were a sad contrast to the
| wan-eyed young mother who dragged
her tired feet forward to greet David.
| The golden hair and violet eyes were
there. but the eyes tragic. David swal-
lowed hard when he beheld her. 1t
seemed to him impossible that the loss
of mere money should so rob lovely
woman of her charm and life.
| ~ found this" he said gently, ION
the street near Seventy-fourth street
1t must be your money, as 1t is most
unlikely two people could be-" He
stopped suddenly, for the light in the
violet eyes was wonderful to behold
"Oh," she murmured softly, Their
David was terrified, for the lovely
young widow was weeping. And be
fore ne could decide what to do un.
der so trying situation one small
voice piped up with the demand:
"Why do you make my mummy cry
bad man?" All five children were
swiftly grouped about their evidently
precious mother in an effort to protect
her from further molestation from the
bad man.
But mummy's grief was short Il
fact, 1t had been only the scattering O
pent-up suffering.
mo. my pets, the gentleman is no
bad mamie Is very. very wonder
full man. He has turned the shadows
into brilliant sunlight for your fool
ish mother"
Smiles seemed swiftly to hang II
every part Of the room.
From three-year-old baby smiles /
an alluring smile In the eyes of mother
hood-they were all there, and Davi,
was curiously vital part Of the sun
light. The mother had put her han,
into his and was trying to thank hin
and saying something about a reward
Mrs. Milward. ! have more none,
than ] can use. Please don't speak o
reward. My name Is David Gleason
and II you will Just not mention It t
newspaper men, will appreciate 1t.
hate notoriety. But If you will trus
me will be more than glad to inves
the greater part of that money 70
YOU" He looked straight and dee
into those ultra-feminine violet eve
and gently shook his head. 81 thin
you need some one to watch out 70
yonr-finances."
Betty Milward flushed and locke
shyly back at David. IF you woul
only help me to keep things straigh
would appreciate II more than CA
tell. l have no one at all to help m
in that way"
For the first time in the whole o
David's life he felt pride In his know
edge of finance. his ability to doubl
and treble capital, then treble it again
This he would do for Betty Milwar
and her lovely golden-haired flock.
David found himself many time
during the following days thinking q
the small family. and most of all o
the strange light that had straightwa
come into Betty's eyes with the retur
of her money He knew this was no