Middletown transcript., 1921-02-12
The Ways
of Destiny
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE
q. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.)

suit and cloak department Of the store
where she had just been employed,
that won the attention Of Irene Daw-
son at once. This was her second
week at earning a living, and not yet
had interest in noticing and studying
the various types Of people who came
along abated. Home and school had
confined her girlhood to a narrow
scope, and bustling business life fasci-
mated her with a presentation like to
a constantly changing diorama.
II am to see the manager, If you
please" spoke the young man, and
his tones corresponded with his deli
cate, refined face. 1T is about a coat"
and he set down suitcase he had
carried.
Miss Lowe has gone to the stock
room and will be here in few min
utes," Irene apprised him. and just
then the lady in question appearing,
Irene busted herself folding and sort
ing some silk sweaters, and, as was
her wont, mentally analyzing the call
er, p1cturing him as an artist, or poet,
or professional man Of some sort,
judging him by his intellectual fea-
lures and trying to surmise the cause
of q somewhat sad expression in his
eyes. He and the lady manager were
engrossed for some time in discussing
a lady's street coat which the suit
case contained. She wrote him out
a cashiers check, placed the returned
garment aside, and was busy making
a notation on a tab, when Irene pass
ed to her side. "Walter Morse" read
Irene, and an address.
"Poor man. Rather a peculiar case"
said Miss Lowe. "His mother pur-
chased the coat here q week ago and
died three days later. From what he
tells me she had taken charge Of two
children Of dead daughter, and now
these are left to his care. Nothing Is
at hand to provide for the little brood,
and fancy he is not himself possessed
of any material surplus Of income. Oh,
my DEAR" she called after Irene, as
the latter moved away, "yOu told me
you were thinking Of new winter
coat"
"Yes, when winter comes and have
saved up enough to buy it." laughed
Irene.
well, here is your chance" an
nounced Miss Lowe, and she held up
the article just returned.
Irene inspected the garment eagerly.
The low price was irresistible. Il will
take it," she said, and that evening
carried it home fully satisfied with a
purchase that provided her with a
cold-weather wrap at one-half it's real
value.
Irene's mother approved the bargain
and was interested in Irene's story Of
the incident that had led to its acqui-
sitiOn. The Dawsons had known COM
fort and plenty until the head of the
family died, and Irene was now the
sole support of her aged mother.
Il will get at the coat tomorrow,
dear" said the latter. 1T is quite
long, and 1 think the best way to do
would be to turn in the defaced edge"
So for the time being, the garment
was forgotten, but not so the interest
ing young man who had brought it to
the store. Irene consulted the tele-
phone book. Yes, there it was: "Wal-
ter Morse, Ceramics" II felt sure he
followed some artistic calling," Irene
told herself, and then blushed con-
sciously. "Why," she cheated herself
into saying, zone would think I was
in love with him. What nonsense ]"
but went to bed still thinking Of Mr..
Walter Morse.
The following day was one Of short
working hours and Irene came home
early. Her mother met her at the
door in a great state Of excitement.
Il came near sending for you," she
fluttered. II could hardly wait till
you came home. Oh, Irene! the most
wonderful thing! In an inside pocket
of the coat, sewed up, I found-but
come and see for yourself"
Upon the dining-rOom table lay the
coat and beside it was small bank
| book It was open and its first page
recorded a recent entry of two thou
sand dollars. Beside it was an en-
velope containing certificate of de-
posit for like amount and dozen
Liberty bonds.
"Don't you see, Irene?" said Mrs.
Dawson, "the mother Of the young
man sewed that treasure into the
pocket as a safe way to keep it and
| died before she could tell him about
it."
| 1--WE must get to him at once" de-
| clared Irene. II know he was worry
ing because nothing could be found to
| provide for the children" and at once
she insisted on her mother accompany
ing her to the address given by Mr..
Walter Morse.
The conjecture of Mrs. Dawson was
correct and gladness, relief and graft
| tude showed in the face Of Walter
Morse when his two unexpected call
ers appeared. Irene fell in love with
the cherubic orphans at first sight
The young man asked outright If Mrs.
Dawson would undertake their care
until he made more permanent ar
rangements, and the Dawson home
was enlivened by the constant presence
Of the little tots.
The permanent arrangements" ma
terialized, as they were bound to do
where two young souls were mutually
interested. They were ushered in by
the love god, and included the hous-
ing Of the five, a happy and harmoni-