Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-02-01
How Vera Aided
d, Cupid
By MALCOLM BROWN

=
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright. 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
Two persons in Fafrview were writ
ing letters at the same hour; a grace
ful, lovely young woman Of twenty
live, Marcia Westbrook; grave-faced,
handsome man Of thirty, Rolfe Dur
ward. Neither knew of the employ
'ment Of the other. yet .eaeh was writ
ing of the other
Thus ended the letter of Durward
TO his close friend in a distant city
PAS to your question OF getting mar
rled and settled down, that Is far dis
'tant. i do not think am generally
favorite with the fair sex. There Is a
young lady here, Miss Westbrook.
have not had her out Of my mind
since j first saw her, but she Is rich,
Il am poor, and i am as a glow-worm
'coveting the star"
| The letter 'of Miss Westbrook, was,
'cOincklentally. also to a close friend
and 1t ended: $50. dear, do not think
I have taken leave Of my senses, but
tell me just what you think Of face
that presents to me a nobleness and
attraction l cannot resist. His name
is Role Durward. He has respecta-
bile position, and, like myself. I think,
he has met with these buffets Of fate
that make the heart mature and likely
to respond only to the real merits Of
life"
| The grave strain in the missive had
"A basis. Marcia Westbrook had lost
! father and mother In a single year.
She had been left in charge Of three
| young children. her sisters. She had
given her. life to them and had seen
little Of social pleasure.
~ am going downtown, children,
and will be gone about an hour" said
| Marcia, forgetting the letter to her
| girl friend which she had slipped into
! the pocket of her dress she had just
| discarded.
Little Vera clapped her hands in
rare delight sas her sister left the
house.
Nov. then, we've got a whole hour
to play company r" she announced to
her companion. 'Come upstairs and
well dress up like real full-grown la
dies"
Inside of Ave minutes a queer pro
cession came through the front door
and crossed the garden. Vera led
them past the garden, across a lane,
and crept under the bars Of fence
| guarding grazing field.
Nov, this Is a fash-n'ble summer
resort, on'erstan'?" said Vera. "Tn
! be princess, sitting under that tree
| yonder."
| Meantime Rolfe Durward, with
halliday vacation before him, pocket
ed his letter and proceeded to take a
stroll. OF course the WeStbrook home
ran.
A whimsical smile crossed his face
| as he passed by the field and caught
sight of the mimic court scene in
progress beyond the rail fence
Arrayed in a red plush cape and
seated in great grandeur under the
tree. Vera was receiving her company
in true dignified style.
She had found the letter In Mar
/ cia's dress pocket.
"This is an invite from my friend,
the queen" she was saying, and end
| ed the pretenticus declaration In a
scream of mortal terror.
Vera sprang to her feet. She
grabbed her little companions, one
with each hand
"Oh, hurry! hurry" she cried. TITS
the mad COW lOOse!" -
In flash Rolfe Durward took in
the scene. turned suddenly from trav-
esty to tragedy.
There was nc question of the peril
Of the Children. he saw that at a
glance. He reached their side and
tore the red cape from the shoulders
of the terrorized Vera.
'Run-quick Fast!" he ordered
"get past the fence"
Then he turned. waving the red
token of defiance to the advancing ami
NAL. AS he had hoped and expected.
il diverted its course and came lung
Ing towards him.
Just leaping the fence, Rolfe was
grazed by the bulky head of the in
furiated animal. One sharp horn tore
ridge clear up one forearm and he
landed with wrench on the ground
, beyond the fence.
Rolfe saw some neigh5ors take the
children home and two men capture
the mad animal.
The signet ring had slipped from
Vera's finger and he secured this. An
open letter and a photograph lay
where she had abandoned it.