Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-10-27
Harold Tries Out
a Love Test
By FREDERICK CLARKE
70, 1874. western Newspaper Union

1T would take IA wise girl TO fool
me-" boosted Harold Mercer. you
have no Flea how Il fellow with money
and position Is beset with the traps
and allurements of the coquette: and
the average woman, in my experience.
is selfish. sordd creature"
"While l entirely disagree with you,
and beg leave to remind you Of your
estimable sister, Lucy Tetorted his
friend, Dale Burton, what is the es-
pecial cause of this outbreak at the
present time, may askf"
Just this" explained Harold eve
are going to summer for two weeks at
Pleasand Lake. Lucy insists that we
shall seek out her friend, a Miss Eta
Morris. I've seen her portrait, and 1
am going to determine If there is one
woman In the world who really cares
for man for himself alone"
"As how, now?" propounded Dale,
obviously.
"INhave a simple plan. 1t is an old
one, l will admit, but it Is results am
after. Nothing would please Lucy bet
ter than to have this Miss Morris for
sister-in-law. Nothing would give
me more delight than to find a real,
genuine-hearted girl who thought more
of love than dollars. Without letting
either of them know 1t, we will ex-
change Identities. You shall be Har-
old Mercer, the gentleman of leisure,
the heir to the Mercer fortune. / will
become Dale Burton"
When the two young men arrived
at Pleasant Lake next day, Dale Bur
ton was the brother Of Miss Morris
dearest friend. They were introduced.
Then with few words that made
Harold vince, as to her pleasure at
meeting ''the fiance of her dearest
friend" Miss Morris turned to well
come the pretended brother of Lucy
Mercer.
"Well, 7" yawned Harold, dlsmally, as
he and his friend reached their hotel
later, you seem to have made hit"
think soT smiled Dale, coolly. II
must say she's a delightful piece of
perfect femininity. OF course. though,
she wishes to make dear Lucy's
brother the guest OF honor"
"Humphl !" growled Harold, and went
to bed wretched and Jealous, and de-
Gliding that he had stumbled into an
upleasant pit of his own making.
Every time after that, whenever he
met Miss Morris, Harold felt like
man who had lost precious treasure.
Eyes, I'm going home tomorrow"
declared Harold, week later. "Tve
made fool of myself and missed the
chance Of my life 1 think you had
better back out Of the dilemma, too,
Dale" he advised, anxiously. "The
girl has a beautiful confidlng spirit,
and may-may take fancy to you"
Nonsense |" jeered Dale. Its Just
her natural thoughtfulness for Lucy's
brother don't you seeT'
Harold was returning from a soil
tary tramp down a country road. when
he ran across Dale rushing along In
great state of excitement.
"Say, Harold" he burst forth,
''here's work for the friends of Miss
Morris. Somebody broke into the
house this afternoon and stole all her
jewelry."
Harold said he met three rough look
ing strangers, one Of them carrying a
gun, an hour previous proceeding down
a country road away from the village.
He took up the trail.
Harold traced them to campfire in
the woods, surprised them and made a
dash for a Jewel case one of the
thieves had dropped; next for the gun.
"March-to the town." ordered Har-
old, extending the weapon, and an
hour later he had safely Gagged his cap
tives.
He was solemn as an owl as he re-
turned the jewelry to Miss Morris.
Her gratitude and friendliness warm
ed up his heart little. She insisted
that he was thoughtful, valiant, and
had done her grateful service. Then
he spoke of going away, and her love
ly face fell. He could not help it
reserve to the winds He was a for
lorn human being, and he told his
love.
"But what about Lucy" she. began,
and was interrupted by violent start
on the part of her visitor. His eye
had fallen on an album open on her
writing desk. Its first picture showed
himself! The light fairly blazed
across his bewlldered mind.
"Then-then-" gasped Harold you
kneww
That you were really Lucy's broth
erY' questioned Eta, shyly. "Yes.
from the first. From the very first,
too" she continued. T."
She paused in faltering confusion.
Harold Mercer had learned his lesson.
No more doubt, duplicity or analysis
now! He had found his fate, he was
sure of It, and he kissed the sweet
hands away from the blushing face
a. ha fold INffa