Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-05

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 II he supported
round dozen orphan asylums, hun
dred 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 q single faithful
valet to q 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-$1OOO0 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 a
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 It 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.
David was greeted at the door by
q 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 q 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 wnen he beheld her. 1t
seemed to him impossible that The loss
Of mere money should so rob q 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 un-
der so trying situation one small
voice piped up with the demand:
"Why do you make my mummy cry
bad manr All i've 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
q 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 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 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 I can use. Please don't speak Of
q reward. My name Is David Gleason,
and If you will Just not mention 1t to,
newspaper men, will appreciate 1t. I
hate notoriety. But II 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. 'T think
you need some one to watch out for
your-fnances."
Betty Milward flushed and looked
shyly back at David. "h you would
only help me to keep things straight
would appreciate 1t more than I can
tell. I have no one at all to help me
| In that way"
For the first time In the whole OF
David's life he felt pride In hi. knowl
edge Of finance. his ability TO double
and treble capital, then treble it again.
This he would do for Betty Milward
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
earthly nor material, but Just mother
sense. She would not have been so
| tragic had 1t not been for her brood
and their loss by her stupidity. He
realized that responsibility is great
builder Of character. he had never
known any himself. Now he rejoiced
that the turn Of events had given him
this family to care for In a personal
way.sS@
Weeks and months passed BY Da-
yid and Betty became the closest Of
| friends. The children adored him and
many q wonderful picnic they had In
his big touring car. The roadster was
practically forgotten In the garage.
Betty was exquisitely beautiful sitting
beside David as they skinned along
country roads, and the sunlight played
upon her golden hair and happy eyes.
Betty's account was Of goodly proper
tions now, thanks to David's howl'
edge Of the markets.
Then came the black dawn when Q
poor, shifty-eyed creature stood at
Betty's door and demanded admit
lance. The children were fearful and
Betty herself felt curious sense OF
both fear and pity.
"I never did dishonest thing In my
| Iifo unffI found that money" the