Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-02-19
David. Confesses
Bv DOROTHY DOUGLAS
"a 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndica'

David was q bachelor with so much
money that he often fell to wondering
how he had accumulated 1t all and
why some chap with brains didn't get
some of 1t away from him. He him
| self couldn't use it all IL he supported
round dozen orphan asylums, hum
bred widows with half a dozen chill
dren and ran a thoroughbred stable.
AS a 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 retinue Of servants.
It was, therefore, with particular In
| terest that he read in the. lost and
found column of the Daily Graphic the
following notice:
"Lost-$1O,OOO in 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 assuredly be pros
trated. David grieved as II the loss
was his own.
Ten thousand dollars was but q
single drop in the ocean of his wealth.
And there was poor little widow
making herself Ill over the loss Of that
amount.
David would return 1t to her. The
advertisement stated the money was in
500 bills. David would take that
amount to her and say that he had
picked 1t up In an envelope on the
street. The thing seemed easy Of ac-
complishment
He jumped into his yellow roadster,
went to the bank, drew the money,
and proceeded toward the address Of
Mrs. Milward.
a charming child Of perhaps three
summers, and behind her seemed a
regular collection Of children, golden
haired, violet-eyed and full of the joy
OF childhood.
They were sad contrast to the
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. It
seemed to him impossible that the loss
Of mere money should so rob lovely
woman of her charm and life.
II found this" he said gently, ION
the street near Seventy-fourth street
1t must be your money, as it 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, then
David was terrified, for the lovely
young widow was weeping. And be-
fore he could decide what to do I'M
der so trying a situation one small
voice piped up with the demand:
'Why do you make my mummy cry
bad MANI" 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. In
fact, it had been only the scattering Of
pent-up suffering.
mo, my pets, the gentleman is not
bad mamie Is very, very wonder
full man. He has turned the shadows
into brilliant sunlight for your fool
fish mother"
Smiles seemed swiftly to hang In
every part Of the room.
From three-year-Old baby smiles to
an alluring smile in the eyes of mother
hood-they were all there, and David
was curiously a vital part Of the sun.
light. The mother had put her hand
into his and was trying to thank him
and saying something about reward.
Mrs. Milward, have more money
than 1 can use. Please don't speak of
a reward. My name is David Gleason,
and If you will just not mention 1t to
newspaper men, 1 will appreciate it. 1
hate notoriety. But If you will trust
me will be more than glad to invest
the greater part of that money for
you" He looked straight and deep
into those ultra-feminine violet eyes
and gently shook his head. II think
you need some one to watch out for
your-finances."
Betty Milward flushed and looked
shyly back at David. "If you would
only help fne to keep things straight
1 would appreciate 1t more than can
tell. have no one at all to help me
In that way"
For the first time in the whole of
Davids life he felt pride in his knowl-
edge of finance, his ability to double
and treble capital, then treble 1t again.
This he would do for Betty MilEard
and her lovely golden-haired flock.
David found himself many times
during the following days thinking of
the small family, and most Of all Of
the strange light that had straightway
come into Betty's eyes with the return
of her money. He knew this was not