The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-07-14
His Fright Hand
Man"
BY DOROTHY WHITCoMB
20. l92l. Western Newspaper union.J

mated, a ruined man. The plant was
IN The hands OF receiver, and he was
"a bankrupt
Wardells had done this-WardelIs.
the upstairs, the business pirates. The
elder Of that firm had been taken in
on the street penniless by Ashton. had
been given work, had learned the
secrets OF the business, and had gone
out TO exploit them on his own ac-
count. The rival house manufactured
q counting machine. In some way
warden had secured the sole right 10
manufacture machine the sale of
which was Ash:on's chief source Of
revenue. Trade fell OF. Wardells
spreadsand fiourished like a green ban
yam free. Ashton & Co. went down
hill. fast.
And Bow-ruin! Reckoning up anx-
lousy. Wi:fred had found that the
plant and his other resources would
pay of about seyenty-five per cent of
the debts. He reached the office Of
his lawyer, detected and hopeless.
I'VE have all OFFER for the assets in
bulk, explained The attorney. 'It will
square the secured Indebtedness en-
tirely. II viii also take care Of all the
other liabilities. except about two
thousand Gc''arS"
''If i could only reach that" ex-
claimed WilI.,d. 1T is those creditors,
small, struggling firms, that need their
money. II there no way / can reach
this deficit"
"a Way has heen opened" announced
the laWvCr - remarkable one. There
is the list 81 the unsecured creditors"
and he pushed over written page,
"and here il two thousand, handed to
me by a brother attorney, represent
ing a mysterious client who does not
wish to lee known"
'Nol. a;a&z, me-" cried Wnfred. his
face sh;nh-,. his eyes filling with
gratefus tears. Who could have done
me this Kind act?"
W.lred s..Ded the 1. O. L. extended
10 hin. Ay Tie lawyer His heart
seemed singing; within him.
lie WAS ,r,"Gmg air as he left the
lawyer Office.
HIS Ease arich;ened when he was
home again, with thoughts of the true,
loyal pcrFons who had been not only
his employees, but his friends Miss
BOnney, las heart gladdened as he
recalled the occasion, three years be-
fore, when he had given this poor,
friendless girl, II position in his office.
Her gratitude, urging the most de-
voted service, had made him respect
and value her. She had been his
right-hand man.
Wf1frA1 F.Yf,fl hsAF N a uunHaSf
cottage, her aged mother its house
keeper. She blushed and paled, and
looked wiStful and then trembled, as
he handed her the money. Her eyes
glOwed Symputhetically with his own
when he told OF his unknown bene-
factor.
81 shall not forget the most helpful
assistant l ever had, when l get on
my feet again. said Wilfred brightly.
az am very sorry TO see you out OF
employment"
"Oh, shall soon find new posi-
ton" declared Amy.
at seems TO me that l am receiving
nothing but blessing in my own dark
est hour" replied Wilfred. knowingly.
There is another thing" said Amy.
inventor who was hurt at your plant?
You pensiOned him off, you know. Ever
since then he has been trying to
invent Il new counting machine. L
that is, I have encouraged him. He
was here yesterday, and he is sure,
oh, so very sure, that he is near TO
perfecting his invention"
Two evenings later a messenger
brought Wilfred a note, asking him
to call at the home of Miss BOnney.
When he arrived he found old Abel
JudsOn there.
1--WE made it!' cried the inventor
enthusiastically. MY invention is per
fected-a counting machine that will
drive Wardells out OF the field"
Only one thing would the inventor
agree to-that Wilfred was to become
his partner. In three months capital
was found. in six the old plant was
running again. At the end of the
wear Wilfred and Amy were man and
wife.
II am making money so fast" he
said 10 his happy helpmate one eve
ming. that I will be able TO pay up
the two thousand dollars so gener-
ously given me when I failed"
Amy reached within her pocket She
drew out a scrap of paper In amaze
ment Wilfred regarded the I. o. q.
Don't you understand" she cried
in delight, and tore the document TO
"You-you furnished that money"
exclaimed the dumfounded Wilfred-
Eyes, my all for you. the bravest,
truest friend I ever knew" replied
Amy raptly, sand now the dearest
hest husband in all the wOrldF
NeN, Annle.