The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-18
"GREGSON'S LATEST
By cIcELY ALLEN

+ r, - s5-g.s
to know him and get foreign post" Not
for the world would he admit disinterested
affection for this awkward chap toward whom
he had been SO strangely and unselfshly
drawn. And SO he landed at the Disbrow
farm, with selection of clothing which,
though a credit. to his good breeding IN its
| simplicity. yet stamped him as apart from
the men among whom he was to move Tor
the next few months. Gregson would be well
dressed in jeans and could give certain
| twist to a gain-counter tie that made It
quite his own. At least that was what Alice
Davies had thought while he danced at.
tendance upon her at the strawberry festival
| given by the Union church. Her eyes had
told him this and more.
He was thinking 1t all over as he drove
home alone, With the scent rof loamy up-
turned earth bearing him company along the
| moonlit road. Alice lacked style. He could
easily picture her getting hopelessly
tangled up in trained gown. She displayed
| no wiles subtle or otherwise, but was delici-
ously ingenious. Ard those eyes: Those
perfect lashes sweeping peach blow cheeki
What was she doing in this God forsaken
country? He would ask her the next time
they met. No; he would ask Disbrow when
he got home. Come to think OF 1t. Disbrow
had had her picture, along with his sisters
and mothers, ..on his wall at college. Per.
haps she was relative too. .c-s-.--. 80
Disbrow had stayed home. At the last mos
ment his mother had been taken slightly Ill,
and he had explained to Gregson that he
hated to leave her in that shape. She had
| worked so hard that he might go to college.
| And Gregson had not minded. He had met
and been cordially received by many OF the
neighbors. Besides, country festival wes
| novelty to him. Disbrow was waiting up
| for him, and they stopped for smoke on the
small porch, with masses of fragrant honey-
| suckles. r. ..-S-ss =
"Pretty girl, that Miss Davis, and rather a
/ good sort. imagine said Gregson care-
lessly. . = -
Disbrow's pipe was suspended midway in
| the air.. ..s-s-s.. - -
you've struck it, Harry. . No other words
would describe her. She Is a good sort, and
there. was a. short pause, in which Dfsbrow
seemed to be studying his pipe thoughtfully-
| 'I've never quite been able to understand
how she, could love. such an oaf as !. I'm
not half fit for her, but we've been sweet
! hearts for years, and / believe for her sake
f. can overcome almost any obstacle. She
helped me pay: the mortgage on this place and
literally forced to college. She's-shes
regular inspiration. - -ez
i Gregson's pipe had gone out and he did
not offer to relight it. In a few moments he
rose, stretched himself lazily and murmured
with a depth OF feeling quite out Of keeping
with his attitude: ......-.~ -.
MAN, you're to be congratulated. Love
. like hers can keep fellow from doing lots OF
fool things ~. ..... II :
The moonlight filtered through the poplar
trees and the dormer window beyond which
lay Gregson his head propped on his elbow,
his pipe putting vigorously, He was thinking
again Of that innocent, half pleading lace,
OF the wonder in her gentle eyes at his clever
ly worded, half veiled compliments, OF the
flush that might come to her cheek when they
met again and when he held her hand just
> trife longer than good form demanded.
| I>n nd he IN
) thought of q delicate rosebud unfolding slow
e ly, dreamily, until its throbbing, crimson
i heart lay bare, and he thought Of Dishrow,
j.. plain, plodding Disbrow, who had future to
carve out for hi1nself-and the rosebud Then
s Gregson set his teeth hard on his pipe. II
l was out. ~>--. - ..-
e Gregson was sorting his mail. Most OF the
envelops were small and distinctly feminine
= in their chirography. One bore his fathers
:. office address in the corner. He read this
u first and turned to :Disbrow with an air Of
D mingled surprise and regret that was credit
"A to- his versatility. - i. - :. -z~e,ss. =. Il.
"The pater wants me TO Eun ever to Len
q don onaa little mission for4htns, 50 I'll hays
: to be leaving tomorrow or next day I'm
!. no end sorry, especially about the fishing
trip won't have to Spirit lake; but business
q is business - ...,..
IS Disbrow was genuinely disappointed ovei
the sudden termination Of Gregscn's visit
n They had planned so many short taunts up tt
a the lakes but during the fortnight ALREADY
d spent there had been too much for him tc
l. look after on the farm. He voiced this feel
IS ing as he watched Gregson pack. Z" :
e "I wanted you to see more Of Alice, too,
l, he said ''shes not just the sort you're -uset
t to-, but in her way she's one in thousand
n And you'd learn to like her, = r..
d II know I should" answered Gregson
: kneeling to fold some trousers. ''WilI yor
|. tell her for me, If don't see her again
r that I consider you the two luckiest people
of nv acquaintance, and I'm coming back
Is when you are married and settled" = : :
e But -Disbrow did not catch the words mur'
It INJURED under the other mans breath, ''bui
d not until them - .=>... = :