The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1895-10-11

ming, and orders already IN could nc
be tlllcd. ltmeant ruin for him.
After several days Of distracted wri
ing and telcgraphing, lie received
letter from Elliston which ran;
MR. HENRY MoD0uGALIs--Dea Sir.
nave visited your mill, looked over III
premises, cxaiailsd thu baohs. nnd, II salts
: Factory 70 yoa5 am willing 10 take chnno I
tho business during yonr absence, aavancin
the necessary money This, ptoyiding You wi
sen me y oAe-hall Interest IN the property. n
the Price asked BY the former owner, and vii
accept themoney Ishall advance as part pur
chase money
Awaiting yoilr decision, lam
very trulyyo D P, BoARDMAN. y
His iirstsense was one-of relief. fol
lowed by wonderment. David Board
man was senior member 81 the iirn
owning one Of the largest mills ii
Ellistoh, and his check could be drawn
for larger amount than that of any
other man in the city, What could h,
want, Harry asked himself, with al
interest in a mill in little country
/ town, where sueh d financial disaste,
had occurred as had happened to his
own business?
But the letter was evidently in cood
1 faith, and Harry telegraphed his nc.
eeptance Immediately, knowing that !
partnership with Mr., Boardman would
insure his future.
Three months later Harry alirhted
rom the train at his western home.
In the intervening time his partner
had not only made up the loss the busi.
ness had sustained, but had brought
profits higher than ever before. Mr..
Boardman had remained constantly ON
the ground, however, but had signifiel
his intention Of returning to Elliston
as soon as Harry returned
A farmer drove past Harry, as he
walked to the mill. He could not stop
his loaded wagon on the river bank
but he called out cheerily.
Glad ter see yer back, Mr. Mellon.
gal Mighty fine partner O. yours in
tharr'
with light heart, Harry pushed
open the office door then stopped.
aghastl He saw, busily writing at the
desk, not the bent form of David
Boardman, but young lady. For a
moment he stood staring at the trinlly-
attired figure and sleek, dark hea d
Then low, yet decisive voice said:
We're there any letters for us to-
night, John?n
Before Harry could frame a reply
the young woman, turning, met his
gaze. She rose and advanced, a trifie
OF color coming to her cheek, yet her
demeanor cooland unrnfied, and asked:
n beg your pardon, sir / thought
It was the janitor. Is there anything
| can do for you?p
Harry pulled himself together and
replied:
4 should like to see Mr.. Boardman.n
The girl looked puzzled for mo
ment, then answered.
M fear you have made a mistake.
Mr. Boardman lives in Elliston, the
next town east
u certainly can have made no mis-
take, returned Harry, decidedly. q
have letters in my pocket dated at this
place, and settling the details of
transaction BY which he becomes part
owner of this property
AIE. Boardman certainly has no in
terest here stated his informant, 81
am Miss Boardman, and have bought
half this min, which am managing
until Mr.. McDougall arrives from the
east.
For an instant Harry felt as though
he were on d tobcggan slope several |
miles long, not knowing where the end |
might be; but he pulled himself to-
gether and handed the lady one Of his
cards.
AT sightof the piece Of pasteboard |
the young lady looked ,yonderstrucls |
and again flushed a trifle. Then she
looAadup, and Ventured; -.s
And you thought
'.Yes. ! thought Sd, he answered,
conpfehensively "But am SO be-
now't6at / am past all think
ms Will You please explain some
things that | cannot Anderstand?s
Within few moments Harry dis
covered that instead Of selling an in
tcrestin in his millt To Mr. David P. Board
man, he had delivered IL over TO a
Philistine in the person Of Dor
othy = Boardman, the aforesaid
gentleman's niece and junior partner,
Bhat she, having extra funds on her.
hands, and hearing Of HIcDougairs
trouble hal felt sorry Tor him, inves.
Ligatedi found that tile Investment
you'd be a good one, and made him an
offer,
She had not intended to deceive him.
out had merely signed her name as
ihe was in the habit Of doing in her
business relations, without dreaming
u being confused with her uncle, not
aklng into account Harry short resi-
lenea in the state.
It was astonishing to see how readi-
y The young man recenciled himself
o having for a partner this young,
'iisinesslike woman with the bright :
yesand qnictyoice.
Miss Boardlnan went back to Ellis 4
On atonce, and Harry took up -his
ToEk alone. EIia bookkaaper was
ever found perhaps beeause Tie
mount Of his enbezzlemaat was not
srpa pnousrh ia inaJfe rnt3fhtitt,. l,,4