The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-04-20
Partners for
Life
By MARVIN ST. JOHNS
pyrtKht. 1922, Western NeWspaper Unl0


Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
"Things look pretty dubious, you
see," observed Lawyer Bailey.
There is no doubt that my fathers
business is In critical condition.
Well, l am here to mend It."
II hope you do and you look as II
you are going to give the experiment
q good, hard try" observed the At
torney with an admirlng glance at the
clear-faced, supple-limbed young man
before him.
Percival Deane had been called from
the midst of splendid attachments at
college to realize the true nobility
Of self-sacrifcing father. Deane +
Marvin had been to the son synonym
for stability and profit.
1.-THE situation is easily told" said
Mr.. Bailey. 1.-TWO years ago your
fathers partner, Mr.. Marvin. induced
him to agree to investigate chance
to purchase q Peruvian concession to
cost 100000. This they had every
assurance could be sold within year
at an enormous advance. Nearly all
the capital of the firm was turned
into cash. Mr.. Marvin departed on
his mission. He wired from San
Francisco and since that time not q
word has been received from him."
"They think he was murdered
robbed?' -
"That's the only way they can ex-
plain this unaccountabe silence"
agreed the lawyer. "Cramped for
capital, your father has seen the busi-
ness fairly 60 to pieces. He kept the
true state Of affairs from you. he has
even paid Mrs. Marvin the old liberal
drawing account Of her husband. She
has daughter Elsie, just finishing
her education.
Percival Deane fguratively took on
his coat and started in to make time
and ability count. At the end OF
week he had the muddled affairs Of
the firm on tangible basis.
1T doesn't look very promising" he
told himself. "The factory can do no
new work until the debts are paid or
and some fresh capital secured.
Deane & Marvin owned exclusive
models and patterns Of large number
of utilities in requirement daily all
over the country. The young man d.
rected circular to all Of the old
patrons of the firm. He stated the
conditions truthfully, offered a reduc-
ton in price and hoped for the best.
1t was Saturday evening when he
paid visit to Mrs. Marvin.
1--WE shall be able to pay you quite
a weekly allowance, Mrs. Marvin" he
stated cheerily.
"You are most kind and consider
ate" declared Mrs. Marvin.
.sYou shall receive share as long
as the business lasts" insisted Perci-
val ut is my fathers wish and my
own as well. l understand that your
daughter is within year Of complet-
ing her education. We must see that
there is no break in that"
"But there will be. l am not going
back to school," broke in new voice
and Elsie Marvin entered the room.
II could not think Of being bur-
den on Vyour father and yourself.
shall go to work."
"But what at, my childT' inquired
her mother soiicitously.
"Oh, can surely fill in somewhere.
In the old busy days Of the factory
you had some one to keep the books
and take charge Of the office, Mr..
Deane. Can I not be of some service
there now?"
Perclval said yes, and 50 1t was ar
| ranged.
How tremendously they worked to-
| gether that first week!
Then came to Percival Deane the
disappointment Of his life. A young
man came to the village. For two
! days he was almost constantly with
| Elsie.
Elsie came back to work more shy
and self conscious than before. One
| day she came to where Percival was
busy. )
"Mr Deane," she said, ~ find that
while you have been sending mother q
regular allowance, you do not draw
any money yourself"
! "Oh, that's all right" insisted Per-
| cival brightly. II will take my share
when the collections come in."
"But we must not be thus privi-
legged" .,
"I-I fancied perhaps you particular
ly needed your allowance-just now"
"Why, what do you mean" inquired
Elsie innocently.
~ heard you might leave here. That
Is, l fancied-well as you are en-
gagged"
"Engaged?" repeated Elsie vaguely.
"Oh, you mean to my recent visitOr7"
and she burst into a merry laugh. He
was very good friend, but anything
farther than that was never possible
with me and utterly out Of the Ques-
tiOn with him-when he learned how
poor l was"
EYES," observed Percival I'VE are
| both pnorD ..'.-- s-.