Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-09-06
Irene Chooses
Husband From
Three Suitors
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

THE worst s0res of life are caused
1 by crumpied rose leaves instead
of thorns.. SO ut least realized Jas
per Warren.
He was pacing glorious stretch OF
Woodland along the hill overlooking
Kee,lville.
II won't complain nor give up all my
ambition In life" he said bravely,
but / may as we'll give up Irene"
jasper Warren really and devotedly
loved the fair girl he mad named. So
| did his rivals. 1t appeared. They had
| the advantage Of him In one respect.
They We're scions Of wealthy families.
| One day. an eventful one for Jas
per Warren. u circumstance occurred
which brought out In bold relief the
| characteristics Of the three young men,
and In the future something more.
They were walking down the street
| together. when half starved slip Of
a girl approached him.
will you give me triie?" she said.
not all in the whine Of professional
beggar, but as IL driven by despera-
ton to hopeless solicitation for aims.
Winters drew his purse. 1t was
filled with banknotes.
mo change" he said indiferently.
"Apply to the relief committee"
Here" spoke GirtOn, rendering four
pennies, the return from nickel just
given to a newsbOy. "COme on, War
rem"
But Jasper fingered behind. He
scanned the girl aud asked her few
questions. Her answers. bluntly,
cheerlessly given, convinced Warren
that here was case indeed worthy Of
sympathy and succor.
"Just make my excuses at the ten.
mis- party, win your he spoke to Win
tiers. m
"Zounds, manw exclaimed Girton.
.you can't be thinking Of disappoint-
lng Miss Barton9"
81 must" replied Warren. "This
girls story appeals to me vitality.
am going to Investigate it. may be
later at the park"
The case of the little child and the
scene she had led him to that day
were forgotten now. At the time.
however, all that was noble In him,
had come to the surface. The girl had
led him to a squalid hut on the mats
where the big factory employees lived
He found q man, John Little, pros
trate on bed Of sickness. his wife
also i'll, three small children neari!
| famished. Warren provided for their
wants., saw Little restored to health
! and hoped the family could now man.
! age to get along ri
/ "I shall try to see Irene once more,"
Warren now told himself. IF she
still acts inditferently as Of late. !
shall 20 away and try to forget her."
At that very hour his dear one was
In. the critical peril Of her life. No.
body was at home hut herself.
| A ring at the door bell sent her
! down the stairs.
"Electric light man." spoke a gruff-
voiced man, who carried little satchel.
"Want to take the meter"
/ "Oh, I see," said Irene quickly. ut
| 10 in the attic. Follow me-"
She led the way up the stairs. hut
as she passed the open door OF her
room the man pushed her across Its
| threshold roughly.
| "This will do. mum. Now. no out
cry, or it's-this," and he extended a
/ deadly looking revolver.
Irene shrank and paled. She knew
that If she shrieked the burglar would
| use violence.
"what is it you want" she palpi-
tated.
| "That jewelry and what money
| you've got" was the prompt reply.
Then as she turned to gather up the
!! plumber demanded, she was startled at
the swift exclamation from the bur.
4 glar!
"Hello!"
The word was so emphatic and ex-
pressive, that Irene dropped the Jewell
nv she had gathered up. She glanced
Il at her fierce visitor. He was staring
at the three photographs.
"Say." he broke out roughly. "who
are these fellows?"
"They are friends Of mine," faltered
Irene. wondering at the strange inter'
est displayed.
"This one particularly" pressed the
man, his pudgy finger indicating the
portrait of Warren. >
IAN esteemed friend, yes" replied
Irene.
II don't want your jewelry." spoke
the burglar. Lady. forgive me for
the fright and trouble have caused
YOU. That is picture Of Mr.. War
rem, yes. He Is your friend, that's
enough. He was mine. He saved my
family from starving. He started me
IN the right path, but got out Of
work and desperate and-tO think !
was 50 near to robbiNyg friend Of
his! I am ashamed, but-I'tl die be.
fore l 20 back to stealing again"
He wandered on In his story now,
with tears, shame and contritlon. and
Irene knew why Jasper Warren had
not kept his engagement the day Of
the tennis party.
- 81 lara ., A.>