Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-08

Elliston, and his check could be drawn
tor larger amount than that of any
other man in the city. What could he
want, Harry asked himself, with an
interest in mill in little country
town, where such a financial disaster
had occurred Us had happened to his
own business?
But the letter was evidently in good
faith, and Harry tclegrapled his ac-
ceptance Immediately, knowing that q
partnership with MIR. Boardman would
insure his future.
Three months later Harry alighted
from the train at his western home.
In the intervening time his partner
had not only made up the loss the bust
ness had sustained, but had brought
profits higher than ever before. Mr..
Boardman had remained constantly on
the ground, however, but had signified
his intention Of returning to Elliston
as soon as Harry returned.
A farmer drove past Harry, as he
walked to the mill. lie could not stop
his loaded wagon on the river bank,
but he called out checrily:
"Glad ter see yer back, Mr.. McDou-
gal. Mighty fine partner O. yours in
thar"
With a light heart, Harry pushed
open the Office door, then stopped,
aghast! He saw, busily writing at the
desk, not the bent form of David
Boardman, but young lady. For a
moment he stood staring ut the trinity
attired figure and sleek, dark hen d
Then low, yet decisive voice said:
Were there any letters for us to-
night, John?"
Before Harry could frame q reply,
the young woman, turning, met his
gaze. She rose and advanced, trifc
OF color coming to her cheek, yet her
demeanor cool and unruffled, and asked:
II beg your pardon, sir. l thought
1t was the janitor. Is there anything
can do for you?"
Harry pulled himself together and
replied:
81 should like to see Mr. Boardman."
The girl looked puzzled for mo-
ment, then answered:
II fear you have made mistake
Mr.. Boardman lives in Elliston, the
next town east"
81 certainly can have made no mis-.
take" returned Harry, decidedly. 81
have letters in my pocket dated at this
place, and settling the details of a
transaction by which he becomes part
owner of this property"
| MIR Boardman certainly has no in
terest here" stated his informant II
am Miss Boardman, and have bought
half this mill, which am managing
until Mr.. McDougall arrives from the
east"
| For an instant Harry felt as though
he were on a toboggan slope several
miles long, not knowing where the end
might be; but he pulled himself to.
gethcr and handed the lady one of his
cards.
AT sight of the piece of pastcboard
the young lady looked wonderstruck,
and again flushed trihc. Then she
looked up, and vcnturcd:
And you thought
"Yes. thought so," he answered,
Complementary. But am SO be-
wlldcred now that am past all think
ing. Will you please explain some
things that cannot understand"
Within few moments Harry dis
covered that instead of selling an in
tcrest in his mill to Mr.. David p. Board
man, he had delivered it over to a
Philistine in the person Of Dor
othy P. Boardman, tho aforesaid
gentleman's niece and junior partner,
that she, having extra funds on her
hands, and hearing Of McDougall's
trouble. had felt sorry for him, inves-
tigatcd, found that the investment
would be good one, and made him IN
offer.
She had not intended to deceive him,
but had merely signed her name as
she was in the habit of doing in her
business relations, without dreaming
of being confused with her uncle, not
taking into account Harry's short resi-
dencc in the state.
1t was astonishing to see how rcadi-
ly the young man reconciled himself
to having for partner this young.
busincsslille woman, with the bright
eyes and qnict voice.
Miss Boarlman went back to Ellis
ton at once, and Harry took up his
work alone. His booskceper was
never found, perhaps because the
amount of his enlightenment was not
large enough to make much stir, but
Henrietta said it was because of his
broader outlook"
That young lady also made frequent
remarks about the number of time,
that Harry found it necessary to seek
his partners advice, and her triumph
was complete when, few months
after the first partnership was con.
summatcd, Dorothy Boardman, upon
much persuasion, consented to enter
into another partnership with the
house of McDougall, the papers to be
made ont for life.
All this was five years ago. Now
the little country station threatens to
be quite town. and IIarry's prosperi-
ty has grown along with it. lie gives
his wife credit for his prosperity, as
for his happiness, and has come to
glory in having married one of the
class once SO obnoxious to him.
David Boardman McDougall, aged
three, is, in spite of his long name,
quite the most intelligent child in ex.
istence, SO his parents aver, and Hen.
rietta McDougall is head bookkecpe,
in her cousins mill, having come tc
see the working out not only of he,
hopes but Of her prophecy Y.
Ledger.
mi IChTE men