The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-11-24
Duke Vernon's
Kind Act
Ey HAZEL SMITH.

Copyright 1891. western Newspaper Union
Il Will never trust friend again I"
II was broad and bitter declara-
tion for a man. young, ambitious In
love with life and all its pleasant
promises and rewards to come vet
at that supreme moment OF disappoint-
ment and loss, Lane Percival meant
every word he spoke.
He stood In the room where he and
Duke Vernon had spent many q hope
ful, happy hour during the past year.
They had been like brothers. Each
had come to the city from q country
home to carve q way to fortune To
one OF them. Lane Perclval. had como
as well the glory Of youth--love. deep
tranquil, abiding. Even In that the
faithful Vernon seemed to share his
JOY and take Myra Little to his hearts
thoughts as cherished sister.
And now-thls! An opened dlsor-
dered drawer in the bureau, an over
turned tin box with its strong lock
broken--and empty. Two days before
II had contained s400, the savings Of
two years. Perclval had got leave Of
absence for a day to escort Myra to a
town forty miles away. where she was
to spend a week with an old school
friend and he had returned to find
Duke Vernon falthless.
"IIe has taken II ALL" muttered Per-
clval. dark browed and his heart for
t1o Aat
That night he wrote all the truth
to Myra. with heavy heart telling
her that he must begin all over again,
and they must-walt
II guess II Is my fate TO meet with
disappointment In my friends" he
wrote Myra. "Next time shall make
you my banker. and shut out from
my life every bit Of human love ex-
cept for you"
"A telegram, sir" announced
messenger boy. Just as Perclval was
sealing up this letter.
In wonder Lane Percival read
brief message. II was dated at a
point In Michigan and II was signed
Duke Vernon. II ran.
Better than I left you word. We
have made It."
What word-made what7 In be-
wfrdermeut Lane Percivar sought vain
ly TO read the riddle.
He slept little towards morning.
He arose dun and oppressed and
bothered. There was a knock at the
door
Come IN" he directed
"It's me-" announced the man who
cleaned the halls and washed the win
dows and Kept the place generally In
order. "I found n letter and n check
guess II *. IN the court Just now.
I'm not much Of n scholar but ! spelled
out your name"
'My name?" repeated Percival
vaguely.
"There they are" and the man
handed Percivaf sheet Of paper and
check
The latter was made out for s40O
and signed by the missing Vernon.
The letter bore the initials OF the
same signature. and ran;
Dear Lane:
az have hurry call for funds. ready
cash. Urgent. A big thing have
taken your money and leave you
check. Expect great news"
Slowly the truth began to dawn on
the startled Perclvnl.
There was another summons Mt the
door Of his humble room the next eve
ming
He flung the door open widely. Their
he drew hack The omen happy face
tie bluff. hearty tone Of his friend re
turned. were reproach that made
him shrink from the extended hand.
'T can't do II. Duke" he said ''1
| have wronged you."
"Wronged me?" rang out the cheer,
| tones OF Vernon. "When? How"
"I believed you had stolen my mon
ey"
"T'd have done II n there had beer
| no other wayl" cried Duke Vernon
"rve made II. No more scraplng anf
saving and creeping along. Lool
| there"
He drew forth and Haunted before
the eyes of his bewfldered friend Ger
| tilted check.
"Ten thousand dolarsi" were th'
words that dnzzFed the eyes Of th'
astcnished PercivHl.
"See who It's made out to-"
'Duke Vernon and Rupert Percivai
my hrotherr
''Yes-the ne'er-do-well. the will
rover the poor fellow You lost fnitl
ln But had faith. He was MI good
only lmnulsive and easily Influenced
He lost your money and his In an on
and out swindle. But that was educa
tlon 7 didn't tell You. but for yen
have been stalking him off and on
up In the copper mining dlstrict-as
partner You wouldn't see him
year ago when he called here" sat
! Vernon. "Tie's made goOd-wOn't yOl