The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-11-08
The Missing
Fortune
By MURIEL BLAIR.

&~S~~%@~~~N~~~~~~~ =
Copyright. 1871. Western Newspaper Union
Because John Davis was hungry and
had TO work, and because a big wind
storm had blown down some barus
and fences and nearly half the trees
In Chenille, thereby Offering that in
dividual an opportunity TO labor, sun.
shine came suddenly into the life of
pretty. Patient Ethel Moore
She needed it. poor girl, and more
than deserved il, if ever loving. help
full daughter and a true and earnest
sweetheart did Ever since her mother
had died Ethel had led hard. slave
like existence. They had not always
lived in Chenille 1t was the lure Of
chance and a fortune that had induced
William Moore. her father, TO abandon
a fairly prosperous store business in a
city 80 miles distant, 10 ill out. as he
anticipated, the glowing dream of his
life. He had always Ionged for farm.
and when he was called urgently TO
the bedside of his dying brother, Rob
ert, he felt certain that at last
the coveted acme of his ambition was
In sight.
Robert Moore, reputed a rich man.
died before his brother reached him.
In his will he left William everything.
When everything was mateFalized
into coherency, TO the surprise Of his
neighbors and the bitter disappoint-
ment of the legatee, the estate COM
prised only the old home, with Its
weather-beaten porch and bOarded-up
cupela, dresry and gloomy in the ex-
IRENE.
1.-The place will do r. live in," mood
Hy decided william Moore, 'but what
has ever become Of the stocks and
bonds and money everybody knew my
brother had six caonths before he
diedT'
William MOOre's wife died, he sold
out his business and then lost his cash
in an unwise speculation.
Then the shoe began to pinch. He
had a small house IE the city. which
brought In certain income, but not
enough TO cover living expenses.
Ethel learned to do dressmaking and
her little earnings helped to keep the
wolf from the door.
1t was when Archie winston came
int her life that the days seemed
worth while and the nights were filed
with sweet dreams. The old man had
grown sour and selfish, end would not
hear of a change In their do@estic re-
lations.
II may get something yet out Of my
unfortunate investment" he was wont
TO say,
II was several days after the big
storm and the fallen and hanging limbs
of the giant trees surrounding the
Moore homestead had not been cleared
away.
When John Davis came along one
morning Ethel listened TO his appiica
ton for work with interest and sym
patty.
I've been sick for long time. Miss
Moore" he declared, "and not able 10
take a steady job for some time ahead.
III trim out that hanging stuff up
around the house for fifty cents"
Every well, Mr.. Davis" she agreed
after a moment or two Of wavering
thought. at isn't Ruch TO pay
though"
IT'S lot to me-" sighed Davis,
thinking Of the hungry mouths at
home. You'll get q blessing for this
he added
Ethel went into the house With
thoughts of the struggling brood of
children Of John Davis In her mind
She remembered an old trunk In the
attic filed with odds and ends, and
wondered II she would be likely 10 fine
anything of service to the Davis house.
hold.
Several Old garments she discov-
cred, might be utilized, She was kneel
ing by the trunk, engrossed in her
task, when a most unearthIy hEbbub.
drove her TO her feet with q shock.
"Oh, dear! what can have hap
penedT' gasped Ethel breathlessly.
Then, as she dashed outside, she
saw her father standing in the garden
waving his arms frantically.
you've ruined the looks Of the
houseP he was storming at John
Davis.
The latteFsat on the ground staring
yacantly at a mass of wreckage near
by. 1t was the shattered remnants OF
the old cupola
Mr.. Moore advanced to where the
ruins of the cupola lay. Ethel heard
him utter a strange cry. She ran to-
wards him as he stopped over and
picked something up.
Ii was a tin box. Her father lifted
its catch. threw back the cover and
nearly fell over as great conviction
Alumined his mind.
eQuick. daughter - he painted. pa
pers-ana money! If il should be my
brothers missing fortune az last"
1t was. at last, and In full. The hid
ing place of the missing fortune had
come to light through Ethel MOore's
kind deed Il meant so much to VII
liam Moore that he seemed to grow
younger in an hour. He sent John
Davis home feeling rich, and he told
Archie and Ethel that evening thai
hhey might arrange to have the old
Homestead renovated for a wedding