The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-20
yourselves for me-"

mo, my son. his mother replied
We wished we could have given you
this pleasant surprise, but we couldn't
We don't know anything about it,"
"Then it was Hal, exclaimed Ted, and
he turned around without another word
and played lively air, that showed his
pleasure far better than words could have
done.
They talked long while. striving to
explain the mystery, Ted clinging to his
belief that he owed it all to Hal, though
he could state no good reason. They
hoped their young friend would come
and settle the matter and explain his
failure, but he did not appear.
Mr.. Amdon came in and reported there
was in the village much indignation and
some threats against Hal for cowardly
backing out and allowing the city man
to win the race. But Ted warmly con-
tended that Hal hadn't failed through
cowardice, and that the village would be
sorry for their threats.
} In the morning Ted, his mother and
Lucy were earnestly discussing the mat.
Ter, when the blind boy started at the
click of the gate. and Hal soon received
a welcome that strangely disconnected
him.
What did you do it forY' exclaimed
Ted.
WHAT" asked Hal in confusion.
why, pay for the organ"
IF -
"And why didn't you take part in the
racer interrupted Lucy. She hardly
agreed with Ted's belief and wished to
save Hal the embarrassment of saying
he hadn't paid for the instrument, but
she only added to his confusion
"I-I found couldn't" he stammered
But it wasn't because l was afraid" he
added quickly, as he saw Lucy's face fall
"But you haven't answered my uues-
ton yet, Hail." insisted Ted.
"Why, Ted, you know couldn't pay
for it, but you don't know how glad
am you're to keep it, whoever it was
that paid for it, replied Hal. recovering
from his embarrassment.
"Whyl Who could it be?'' said Mrs
Amdon.
But Lucy was watching Hal very
searchingly. She thought she detected
an unusual expression in his face, and it
was slowly dawning upon her that Ted
was right after all. Hal, seeing her
look, was getting badly confused again
and was just on the point of rising to es
cape, when Mr.. Amdon hurried in with
letter for Ted.
Read it quickr' he cried.
Hal, with his hat in his hand, was
half way out of the door, when Lucy
after one swift glance at the letter
sprang after him, fairly dragging him
back, and held him fast, as she said:
''Oh, no! You don't escape SO easily
You just have to stay right here and
listen. I'm not going to spare you one
bit, if you do blush. Listen to this"
And she read with a conspicuous
tremor in her sweet voice:
Mr. Ted Amdon-Since sending receipt for
organ I've found out about the young man who
paid the money. and have also learned about your
self. My son took part in q bicycle race, in which
Mr. Hal Goodwin was expected to win There was
much surprise that he not on hand to start
and my son took pains to discover the reason Of
his failure. hearing that he was much censured
and blamed with cowardice
Know, then, that instead of failing through
cowardice, he noby gave up the race. sold his
bicycle and paid for your organ
Hal made desperate rush for the
door, but old Mr.. Amdon caught him in
the nick of time and held him like a
wise.
''Oh! how wish could see you now,
Hair said Ted, cropping his way toward
him.
Don't say that; can't stand it" muir
INJURED Hal.
Poor boy!" sobbed Ted's mother, with
her apron to her eyes.
''Listen!' cried Lucy; 'that isn't all
Let ME read on:
My son found where he sold his bicycle, and !
have proposition to make | am in need of
good performer to play for customers. and
offer you the place. having heard of your unusual
skill Mr.. Goodwin deserves reward for his noble
action SC Ill refund the money, and he can re
buy his bicycle. Come to the city at once
There" said Hal, disconsolately, sink
ing into a chair 81 knew it would turn
out that way"
How" asked Ted in surprise.
"Why! Whenever l get chance to
do something for you that's worth some
thing, it doesn't pan out worth a cent
1t just falls fiat"
But they wouldn't let him talk that
way long. Ted's mother, under the i'm
pulse of her gratitude, stopped him with
rousing kiss, and Lucy looked as if she
wished she could take part in just such
an interruption.
You may be sure the story spread
through the village on the wiz IS of the
wind. And it was surprising how quick
the word coward" died away.
Ted was soon at work in the city
music store. and, despite his sore affiic-
ton, is doing we'll, and there is every
prospect of his one day becoming part
ner.-Yankee Blade.