Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-05-05
81 have very little time" he said. Il

|
he added: Il take the down car here.
Good-by." He leaped Off. caught the
rail of the approaching car. waved his
hand and was gone.
The old man sighed as he turned
back. Somehow he seemed to have
lost all interest in the condition of the
roadbed
When the end of the line was reach
ed, he stepped from the car and looked
about him. Then he walked over to
the starters little station.
''Will you kindly direct me to No. 81
Cornwall street," he said.
Ten minutes later the gray-haired
man knocked at the door of the little
cottage ON Cornwall street. A neat
young woman responded. 1t was not a
favorable hour for calling. but the
young woman bore trim appearance,
her hair was nicely arranged, and
there was an air of refinement in her
greeting that the old man liked.
This is the home of No. 3S1, l be-
lieve," he said as he raised his hat
Il mean of George Glazier"
Yes, sir but he is not at home. He
| will not be at home until SIX
Il have come some distance to see
| him." said the gray-haired man.
She looked at him with Il new inter-
est. lie was an old man. ana she ran
cied he looked tired
will you come in and rest?' she
asked in her gentle voice. perhaps
you can leave Il message
Thank you," he said, and followed
her into the pleasant little parlor. His
keen gray eyes Travelled about the room
and returned to the woman. Il beg
your pardon" he said but would you
mind giving me a little of your time?"
She looked at him wOnderingly and
then seated herself.
You can't really be happy here" he
said abruptly.
remark.
Il do not know what you mean," she
said.
Il mean that this little house, this
lonesome neighborhood, the lack OF
nice clothes, the fact that your hus-
band is but poorly paid employe. the
desire for those things that just a little
money would secure, must make you
discontinued at times"
Her color rose. She held her dimpleu
chin little higher.
DO look discontinued 2" she asked.
Gould be discontinued with so much
to be thankful for? We have our
health, we have a cosey home, we have
our little Stephen"
Eth" cried the old man. You have
what?"
Our boy, our baby boy. His name
is Stephen"
His name is Stephen" the old man
repeated, and was silent for "A moment.
Then he gently added. May l see
hi.a:'
mother. Then she looked at the gray
haired man Il little severely. Il trust"
she said, that your business with
George is not planned to make him dis
contented. think you will fail. We
are both agreed that George isn't ap-
preciated at his true wOrth-at least
| have tried to make him think SO. But
he is doing the best he can. What
could he expect? He came out of col
lege without the slightest knowledge
of what earning living meant. and
then he met me. Perhaps we were
wrong, but we were young, and George
braved his father to marry me. Well,
it was something of struggle, but we
met it with courage, and we never de-
SPARED"
She threw defiant little look at him
as she uttered the last words.
Il had no desire to hurt your pride"
said the gray-haired stranger. IF |
did, l beg your pardon. Lonely old
men grow peculiar, you know. But,
here, l fancy l can explain Il little OF
the business that brought me to your
home. | came to the city to buy con-
trolling interest in the company that
employs your husband. l have been
looking over the property. and in do
ing so ran across him. IL liked his
appearance, but at the same time | am
free to say that to my mind he is lot
the man for the place. lie paused
and cleared his throat. the young won-
an steadily regarding him. He told
me that he had promised to remain in
the employ of the company a year. |
suppose he will keep his word:"
"I1e always keeps his word.'
docs he look for promotion?"
Eyes. He hopes to be made a start
CT at the barns when the year is out"
Yes. Well, as | have made up my
mind that he Is not the man for con-
ductor, mean to offer him something
a little better. If he shouldn't care for
the startcrship. how would barn boss
or assistant superintendent suit HING
The young woman smiled family.
"There is no question about it," she
said
Perhaps he would like the superin-
tendency?' the old man added.
He would" murmured the young
woman.
Very well.' said the gray-haired