The day book. [volume], January 16, 1914, Image 17

About The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
eagerly pleased at an opportunity to
make his friendly acquaintance. Fin
ally she said:"
"I have often wondered what be
came of the young man who seemed
so intimate with you when I first
came to the boarding house here."
"You mean Robert Burton?" spoke
Mr. Darrow, a shade first gloomy,
then sorrowful coming into his ex
pressive face.
"Yes, I I think that was his name.
In fact, I am sure of it I I knew
him slightly," and Eva flushed deeply.
"I thought him my best friend," ex
plained Abel, and something like a
sob choked clear utterance. "I was
grossly deceived. I loved him as a
father and helped him to his feet
when he was penniless and friend
less, and he sold me out."
"Oh, Mr Darrow!" exclaimed Eva,
growing deathly pale. "It cannot
be!" s s
Abel stared in wonderment at his
companion at this revelation of fervid'
and unexpected emotion.
"Did he also deceive you?" he ask
ed bluntly.
"Oh, no that is I knew him, we
were friends. I learned to esteem him
and he went away bo abruptly I I
have often thought of him," fluttered
Eva.
"He is unworthy of your thought,"
persisted Abel. "I'm sorry to say it,
but it is true. As you must know,
three years ago I lost a lhrib In a ma
chine while in the service of William
Lane & Co. Lane witnessed the ac
cident and knew that it was due to
the carelessness of the firm. He of
fered me a trifle to settle, which I re
fused. I brought my suit for $10,000.
It is now pending. One evening he
came to my room here- with a new
offer. I laughed at it. Robert Bur
ton heard him. In a trial his evidence
might help me. A week later Robert
disappeared." ,
"And you have not heard from him
tsince?" asked Eva anxiously. '
"Only once a mere line from a
distant city.
"What-what did it say?" pressed
Eva eagerly.
"Only these words. 'Stick to the
ship! "
"And that is all?" murmured Eva
vaguely.
"No, I must tell you the worst. I
positively know that Mr. Lane went
West for his health, .young Burton
went with him as an attendant Can't
you see how it is the boy 1 50-loved
has gone over to the enemy! They
have bribed him to remain out of the
field as a witness in my behalf."
"I can't Understand it at all," sigh
ed Eva. "He was so grateful to you,
he was so kind to everybody." ,
Three evenings later Bva,met Abel
at the door of the parlor. She drew
him within the room. Her eyes were
red with weeping, her face colorless
and traversed with anguish.
"Read," she said sadly, and handed S
a newspaper to Abel, pointing to an
item on one of its pages. .
According to that, William Lane
and Robert Burton, traveling in the
Far West had started to cross an
arid desert stfetch and had not been
seen,-since. They were supposed to
have miserably perished in a sudden
sandstorm that had come up.
"Poor, misguided boy!" sobbed
Abel. "If he had only been true' to
me!"
And in his grief he spoke tender
forgiving words that showed that his
heart was not hardened. And Eva
mingled her tears with his, and Abel
knew that this fair young girl had
loved Robert Burton.
The blow postrated Abel. He was
not eaual to going to work the next
day. 'liJva that evening hastened up
to his room with some dainties for
the invalid. The trry nJy fell from
her hand as entering the apartment
she saw Robert Burton!
Abel was seated in an easy chairj
wreathed in smiles. Never had Eva
seen him look so bright and happy.
Robert, bronzed, brisk, sturdy, inter
rupted the embarrassed visitor as she
tried, to retreat '