The Bismarck tribune., 1922-05-15
BY WINIFRED DUNBAR

"We'll sell out, find q nice, respect.
able location In some pretty home
town and 60 into the business" de-
cided Mr.. Vance.
s. So, pride and novelty carried the
vances away from their usual sober
judgment and here they were now,
discussing the results as proprietors
Of the "Palace' photo playhouse at
Maiden. 81 @%
The Yances had arranged some cozy
living rooms at the rear Of the play
house.
"What was thatT" suddenly ex-
claimed Mrs. Venice.
'It's Helen!'' cried her husband,
and ran to tbe door, and his daughter
burst into the room.
"What is it?" gasped her mother In
alarm. III
"I-stumbled over q man-maybe
dead. I don't know" shuddered Helen.
"A prowler or some one wandered
up from those vile drinking dens on
the river" decided Mr.. Vance. 'Tll
60 and see"
He returned in . few moments stag.
gering under the great weight Of a
helpless human form.
"Oh, dear! deari" exclaimed the
,aotherly Mrs. Vance, after glance
at the white pulseless face Of the un-
conscious stranger-'''a young man,
almost a boy! Abner, this is pitlful y
Helen stood regarding the rescued
wayfarer. as though gazing upon some
vivid camera scene. &
They aroused the unconscious man
through their own ministrations, but
they discovered that one limb seemed
broken. The doctor told them that
1t was bad fracture when he was
summoned by Mr.. Vance.
They knew the next day all that
the young man cared to tell about
himself. His name was Adrian Noble.
He had been turned away from his
fathers door on account Of his drink.
ing habits. He had wandered to Nal.
den, in a nuddled condition, had
fallen from high sidewalk and here
he was -penniless, homeless and
friendless.
"The 'penniless part Of It needn't
worry you, If you are resolute to work
and reform" said Abner Vance In his
blunt, practical way. "As to being
homeless. you are welcome here till
you are better and we will be your
friends If you will let u.s."
In strange, subdued manner, the
young man grew into their family and
business lives. They fixed up a room
Tor, him behind the playhouse stage
and when he got so he could move
around on crutc1es placed him IN
charge Of the little ticket booth.
Adrian Noble would set his eyes upon
Helen as she practiced the music for
| the entertainments.
When he could get around more
freely, Noble began to take a rare
interest In the business. he suggested
improvements in the character Of the
films, he was the distributor Of some
unique advertising that brought in the
audiences. ~
With brighter business prospects.
| Mr.. Vance still longed for the big hall
in the center Of the town. He talked
about It necessarily and 1t Interested
Noble. One day the latter came to
Helen with grave, earnest facd
"Will you write something for mer'
he asked.
"Certainly-what is itT inquired
Helen, flushing trlfe under his clear,
! steady gaze 5.
"A temperance pledge. I an
| through with the old folly. I want
your hsnd to inscribe the promise
shall never break"
| Two days later Noble disappeared
mysteriously from the playhouse
| Helen never dreamed she could Sd
miss him. He walked in upon them
Just after the entertainment Saturday
night, new being In apparel and
manner.
.There Is the lease Of the hall for
a year, all paid for and made out In
your name," he said quietly, handing
q folded document to his host.
"What does this mean7" stared the
| astonished Mr.. Vance.
Il vent to my father with that
pledge and truthful, manly story
replied Noble. HE bade me return
to the true hearts Of gold who had
wrought the miracle Of my refolma.
| ton"
Mrs. Vance was crying In her moth.
erly, sympathetic way. Helen's eyes
beamed upon him, and in their glow
ing depths Adrian Noble read the
sure promise Of Q lasting haven o.
love!
Dance every Tuesday, Thurs