Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-20
'G|ji.R|.E ] POLICY

UALUDVN y l VL1kl
. copyright. 1901, by A. s. richardson
Franklin Howard regarded the group
on the porch with a curiosity which
was returned with interest He was
the latest arrival at Stony Brook farm.
and the other summer boarders looked
upon newcomer with satisfaction.
Howard was big, clean faced fell
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 overtures. 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 longY' he asked CURLY.
He was not given to waste of words.
"Only two weeks" replied Howard
II wanted four, but the boss said he
couldn't spare me from the shop, so I
took what could get.'
Good policy" commented Gregson.
always do that. can't stay here fool
ing. City wants me. You care for my
daughter?"
"How do you means" asked the
astonished Howard. Il admire Miss
Gregson immensely, butt
Nonsense" calculated the other. 81
didn't ask if you loved her. You look
after her. Keep those Internal small
boys away. You are a man at any
AoIC. DOA VI cigars
Howard intimated that he did not
require the bride to induce him to act
as a squire of danes.
"Come over" said the other. "Helen,'
he continued when they had approach
ed, this is Mr.. Howard. He will look
out for you when I 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 companion.
They roamed the country over and al
last one day, reverting to childhood
built dam In the little creek which
flowed at the bottom OF the meadow.
It was not much Of q dam as dams 90;
still it served to break the last barrier
between them. They were children
again, and when at 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 he,
to withdraw it. 1t was too late then
Hot from his lips rushed the words Of
love. Those ten days Of close compan
ionship had had their influence upor
both. The building Of the dam ha6
completed the work. They had con
trolled the waters of the creek, but
their love ran free and unchecked
| When the dinner horn brought then
back to earth again. they were lie
trothed, and Helen admiringly regard
ed the ring which had once been hi:
mothers.
The next three days were all theil
own. Then Howard had to return t.
town. He presented himself before tn,
head Of the Gregson family, who seem
ed little surprised. "Back, eh? Conn
for the cigarsT
mo-" said Howard evenly. II have
come to ask for your daughter" Greg
sons face purpled.
you upstart!' he finally managed t
| calculate. you mechanic! You want
my daughter? No!'
II am no mechanic" responded How
ard. -
you said shop" urged the other,
well" retorted Howard, Il didn't
say was mechanic. You jump al
conclusions. told you that I had tt
get back to the shop in two weeks.
didn't say it was machine shop"
Machinery. dry 4QQds-au the same