Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1916 — A Good Investment [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Good Investment

By VICTOR REDCLIFFE

(Copyright, 1816, by W. G. Chapman.) If the fancy Edgar Allen took to Nelson Bland received Its first impression from the honest, open face of that young man, it was certainly reenforced when the latter introduced his sister, Violet. He had advertised for an agent, for he was going away. The reply to the same that suited him the best was the frank, brief, but comprehensive note written in reply by Bland.' Allen arrived at the house of the Blands in his automobile to find a small but immaculately neat and clean cottage. Nelson Bland welcomed him at the door and led him to a sitting room, well filled with books. He was a student along the line of philanthropy. He had never had an easy time making his way, he imparted to his prospective employer. His sister was a music teacher, and for the first time in years they had arrived at a point where their combined income admitted of a little more than sufficient to keep the wolf from the door. "I have just fallen heir to a fortune,” Allen explained. “It is not large —only one hundred thousand dollars. I suppose I should consider myself a fortunate young man, but there is a blight to my prospects. My physician tells me that I have a functional trouble with my lungs. He prescribes another climate, permanently. Under different conditions, he says, I may wear out the disease —I hope so,” but the speaker spoke wearily. “I would not feel discouraged,” remarked Bland, and there was genuine sympathy in his tones. “I don’t intend to,” replied Allen, "but I want to do some good in the world. I have divided up my fortune. One quarter of it I shall spend in the pursuit of health. One half of it I shall Invest in good sound securities. The remainder I shall give to my appointed agent to found a home for crip-

pled and homeless children in my native town. I own a large well-furnished house there. The returns from the investment of the twenty-five thousand dollars must carry the project, but I shall set apart out of my income one thousand two hundred dollars for my manager.” “A good and sufficient recompense for a person loving the work,” declared Bland enthusiastically. “I am your man, if you will have me.” Anri just then Violet entered the room. It was with no knowledge of intrusion and she started to withdraw, but her brother beckoned her forward. He w-as proud of her, that was palpable. She interested Allen at once. Her youth, heelthfulness, vitality charmed him, though mournfully he reflected on his own unfortunate condition, or what he fancied concerning it. Allen wished for her presence. So soon as she was advised that she would accompany her brother, whatever position he assumed, Allen felt that sbte must be interested in the work that she would share..

There -was no duplicity in her nature, of that he was assured. Her face brightened wonderfully as the philanthropic venture was debated on. On the impulse of the moment and under her sweet influence Allen closed then and there with her brother, as his manager for five years. The contract was perfected at the office of Allen’s lawyer the next day and Allen was disappointed that Miss Bland did not come, as well as her brother. Bland gave a bond, as was usual. He was awarded unrestricted control of the charitable fund. One week later Allen left for Alaska. It was a strange climate, that to which his physician sent him, but the latter knew the family complaint thoroughly. If the keen bracing air of the far north did not destroy the germs of the implanted disease, there was no hope for the young man. Now strange and unforeseen adventures were about to transpire in the case of Edgar Allen, that were to test the true gold in his nature and cause him to forget his ailments. Six months

after he left home he received word from his lawyer that the bulk of his Investments, placed with a bank, had been swallowed in a dismal criminal failure. A year later he was advised that an accidental fire had destroyed the children's home. When be came to consider that there were no funds left to pay Bland his salary, Allen about decided that the twenty-five thousand dollar Investment was a failure. He had been robbed of the greater part of the money he had carried with him. Then he became acquainted with an old miner. The latter induced him to send for money deposited in reserve at San Francisco. This Allen invested in the mining proposition—to lose it. His partner was an honest, wellmeaning man, but, with all his mining experience, his judgment had been at fault. The prospect gave good surface Indications, but ran shy as depth was gradually attained and disappeared finally entirely. “Wish I’d never tempted you to throw good money after bad,” mourned the veteran. “Never mind that,” responded Allen cheerily, and he braced, threw out his chest, breathed deep and swung his arms with exquisite realization of actual strength. “The work, the air, the exposure have made a new man of me. I've found what I went after with a faint heart —health. What is the money to that? I can earn my own living now. See here, partner, why not come to the states with me? I’m going back." - “Any use?" propounded the miner dubiously. “I can’t tell. There’s the wreck of a fortune. Maybe among the debris I can find enough salvage to start you and me in some respectable little business. If not, we’ll build up from the ground floor, eh?” There was something inspiriting in the enthusiasm and courage of the health-restored young man, and his partner could not resist the influence of his hopeful nature. The nearer they got to home, the more vividly there recurred to the mind of Allen the thought of the young man and his sister who had taken up his philanthropic project. It was at the town of Newburg that the children’s home had been located. It was there that Allen and his companion arrived by train at dusk one evening.

“Mr. Allen—it can’t be possible!” The words halted Allen. He smiled down into the face of his lawyer, who stood regarding him in wonder. He had long since given up his client as dead. He found it difficult to believe that time and labor had made a health breathing stalwart out of him. The lawyer led the new arrivals to his office. There was much to learn and to tell. He had news for his client, unexpected news, and truly heart gladdening. “Everything went, as you know, in the bank crash,” he recited. “The old house burned down. It was then that Bland and that sweet sister of his showed their royal mettle of true souls.” “They are still here, then?” murmured Allen. “Here? I should say so! You know, you gave Bland absolute control of the charity fund. Well, he has proven himself a wizard. All his thoughts were cf proving a faithful warden of your interests. It seemed as though he and his sister had but one motive in life — to make a grand success of the home. He made an investment in some land. It doubled in value. It is scarcely credible, but, diligent, conservative, tireless, he has quadrupled the original fund. The home is rebuilt and liberally financed, and outside of that some fifty thousand dollars is in my hands, credited to your private fortune account. If you want to make these famous friends of yours, the Blands, truly happy, get up and see them as speedily as you can.” “I wonder if she will remember me?" reflected Allen, as he at once followed the lawyer’s suggestion. Ah, she had never forgotten him! She showed it so manifestly in her beautiful eyes, that when that first welcoming interview was over, Edgar Allen felt that the one woman in the world who could make him happy was Violet Bland.

Received Word From His Lawyer.