Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-09-23

other man in the city. What could
he want, Harry asked himself, with
mill in little country town, where
such financial disaster had occurred
as had happened to his own business?
But the letter was evidently in good
faith, and Harry telegraphed his ac-
ceptance Immediately, knowing that
partnership with Mr.. 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
business had sustained. but had
brought profits higher than ever be-
fore. Mr.. Boardman had remained
constantly on the ground, however,
but had signiied his intention of re-
turning 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 tho river
bank, but he called out cheerily:
"Glad ter see yer back, Mr.. Nc
Dougall. Mighty fine partner O. yours
in thar !"
With light heart Harry pushed
open the Office door, then stopped
aghast. He saw buslly writing at the
desk not the bent form of David
Boardman, but young lady. For a
moment he stood staring at the trinity
attired figure and sleek, dark head.
Then low, yet decisive, voice said:
"Were there any letters for us to-
night, John?"
Before Harry could frame n reply,
the young woman, turning, met his
gaze. She arose and advanced, trihe
of color coming to her check, yet
her demeanor coal and unruflied, and
asked:
81 beg your pardon, sir. thought
it was the janitor. Is there anything
i can do for you?"
Harry pulled himself together and
replied:
81 should like to see Mr.. Board
man."
The girl looked puzzled for mo-
ment, tksn answered:
81 fear you have made mistake.
Mr.. Boardman lives in Elliston, the
next town east"
81 certainly have made no mistake"
returned Harry, decidedly. 81 have
letters in my pocket dated at this
place, and settling the details of n
transaction by which he becomes part
owner of this property
"Mr. Boardman certainly has no in
terest here" stated his informant.
"I nm Miss Boardman, and have
bought half this mill, which 1 am
managing until Mr.. McDougall AZ
rives from the East"
For an instant Harry felt as though
he were on toboggan slope several
miles long not knowing where the end
might be; but he pulled himself to-
gether and handed the young lady
one of his cards.
At sight OF the piece of pasteboard,
the young lady looked wonderstruck,
and again flushed a trihe. Then she
looked up, and ventured:
"And you thought -"
"Yes, [ thought so," he answered
wildered now that [ am past all think
ing. Will you please explain some
things that [ cannot understand"
Within in few moments Harry dis.
covered that instead of selling an
interest in his mill to MIR. David
b. Boardman, he had delivered it
over to Philistine in the person of
Dorothy p. Boardman, the 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-
gated, found that the investment
would be good one, and made him
an offer.
She had an idea, from what her IN.
Gle had told her of Harry's being a
woman hater, that he was an elderly,
cross-grained old bachelor, and found
him to be young Adonis, over six
feet tall, with an expression in his
blue eyes as he looked on her that be-
lied the name of woman hater.
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 res
idence in the State.
1t was astonishing to see how readi-
ly the young man reconciled himself
to having for partner this young,
business like woman, with the bright,
gray eyes and quiet voice.
Miss Boardmau went back to Ellis
ton at once, and Harry took up his
work alone. His bookkeeper was
never found, perhaps because the
amount of his embezzlement 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 times
that Harry found it necessary to seek
his partners advice, and her triumph
was complete when, few months af-
fer the first nortnershin was cnnsun