The Press., 1921-06-23
David Confesses By DOROTHY DOUGLAS

some of 1t away from him. He him. self couldn't use it all if he supported a round dozen orphan asyIums, a hun dred widows with half a dozen chil- 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 a 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-$1OOOO in $1OO bills. En- tire account of widow with five chil- dren. Mrs. Milward, West Seventy seventh street."
 1 David was straightway torn with suffering for that little widow. Her own feelings must assuredly be pros trated. David grieved as if 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 i'll over the loss of that 1 amount
 David would return it to her. The i advertisement stated the money was in i $1OO bills. David would take that amount to her and say that he had i picked it up in an envelope on the , street. The thing seemed easy of ac- i cOmplishment.
 l He jumped into his yellow roadster, , went to the bank, drew the money, , and proceeded toward the address of i Mrs Milward.
 David was greeted at the door by a charming child of perhaps three summers, and behind her seemed a regular collection of children, golden i haired, viOlet-eyed and full of the joy of childhood.
 They were a sad contrast to the 1 wan-eyed young mother who dragged her tired feet forward to greet David I The golden hair and violet eyes were 1 there, but the eyes tragic. David Swal- 1 lowed hard when he beheld her. It seemed to him impossible that the loss of mere money should so rob a lovely woman of her charm and life.
 II found this," he said gently, "On the street near Seventy-fOurth street. It 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 a situation one small voice pfped up with the demand:
 "Why do you make my mummy cry bad man?" 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. Tn fact, 1t had been only the scattering of pent-up suffering.
 "No, my pets, the gentleman is not a bad man-he 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 a reward
 Mrs. Milward, I have more money than I can use. Please don't speak of a reward. My name is David Gleason, and if you will just not mention it to newspaper men, will appreciate 1t. hate notoriety. But if you will trust me I 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. Il think you need some one to watch out for yOur-tinanceS.
 Betty Milward flushed and looked shyly back at David. If you would only help me to keep things straight l would appreciate it more than T:can tell. I have no one at all to help me in that way" 1s
 For the first time in the whole of David's life he feA pride in his 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 gOIden-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 it not been for her brood and their loss by her stupidity. He realized that responsibility is a 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.
 Weeks and months passed by. Da- vid and Betty became the closest of friends. The children adOred him and many a 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 propor- tiOns now, thanks to David's knOwl- edge of the markets.
 Then came the black dawn when a poor, shifty-eyed creature stood at Bettys door and demanded admit tance. The children were fearful and Betty herself felt a curious sense of both fear and pity.
 "I never did dishonest thing in my life until I found that money" the man was mumbling. "When I picked up that ten thousand dollars was i'll and my family in want. I just couldn't