The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1902-12-12
GREGSON'S POLICY


on the porch with curiosity which
was returned with interest. He was
the latest arrival ut Stony Brook farm.
and the other summer boarders looked
upon newcomer with satisfaction.
Howard was big. clean faced fel.
low, with clear eyes and an alert air
that was lacking in most OF the stoop
shouldered young men who had left
their desks in the steaming city to
spend their years savings at board.
ing house where their two weeks stay
was more costly than three months In
the city.
Naturally the women regarded him
with favor, especially those who had
passed the first flush of youth. The
only drawback was that he did not re
spond readily to their oyertures. He
was courteous, but they excited only
amusement.
The only one upon whom he looked
with favor was Miss Helen Gregson.
and naturally enough she was the most
unapproachable. The father, Henry G..
Gregson, was rather more disposed to
be sociable. a cigar was his overture,
and as the two men talked Gregson
led the conversation to the city.
"Stay here long7 he asked CURLY.
BE was not given to waste of words.
.'On1y two weeks" replied Howard.
81 wanted four, but the boss said. he
couldn't spare me from the shop, SO /
took what could get"
"Good policy" commented Gregson.
Always do that. can't stay here fool
ing. City wants me. You care for my
laughter
How do you mean?p asked the,
astonished Howard. Il admire Miss
Gregson immensely, but
.Nonsense,% calculated the other. 'I
didn't ask If you loved her. You look.
after her. Keep those internal small
boys away. You are a man at any
rate. Box of cigars do?'
Howard minated that he did not
require the bride to induce him to act
as squire of danes.
NCome over" said the other. "Helen,"
he continued when they had approach
ed, "thls is Mr.. Howard. He will look
out for you when go back to town
Get acquainted" And he left them to
engage the farmer landlord in CONVEX
sation as to. the crops. Gregson was
carrying" more wheat than the farm
er probably realized was raised In one
summer.
Howard got on famously with Miss
Gregson and by the end of the first
week was her inseparable companions
They roamed the country over and at
last oneed day, reverting to childhood,
built n dam in the little creek which
flowed at the bottom of the Meadow
1t was not Ruch of a dam as dams go;
still 1t served to break the last barrier
between them. They were children
again. and when ut last they had in
duced most of the water to run over
the top instead of between the stones
they regarded their accomplishment
with admiration.
he gained possession of. her hand,
unrebuked till pressure warned her
to withdraw It 1t was too late then.
Hot from his lips rushed the words of
love. Those ten days of close compan-
tonship had had their influence upon
both. The building of the dam had
completed the work. They had con-
trolled the waters of the creek, but
. their love ran free and unchecked.
When the dinner horn brought them
back to. earth again, they were be
trothcd, and Helen admiringly regard
ed the ring which had once been his
mothers.
The next thyee days were all Their
own. Then Howard had to return to
town. BE presented himself before the
head of the Gregson family, who seem
ed little surprised. Back, ell? Come
for the cigars?'
NO." said Howard evenly. 81 have
come to ask for your daughter Greg
sons face purpled.
you upstartT' he finally managed to
calculate. You mechanic! You want
my daughter? Nor
81 am no mechanic" responded How
ard.
."You said shop" urged the other.
WELL" retorted Howard, Il didn't
say was a mechanic. You jump at
conclusions. told you that had to
get-ba to the shop In two weeks.
didn't say 1t was n machine shop"
Machinery, dry goods-all the same;
one as brd as the otherr' Gregson was
rapidly reaching the stage described as
being too fun for utterance- Howard
seemed to enjoy the situation.
81 lived several years in England"
he explained. There shop is any place
where you work. My. shop Is the Blue
Star Transport line My father owned
two-tlhrds of the concern when he died.
Now lam learning the. business, and
this is the rush season."
Gregson was appeased, but still I'M
satisfied. u
All the same, you had no business
getting engaged. I never told you You
could have Helen"
Howard smiled.