The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-08-17

thing and said he thought you were all
right. We didn't want Raffles, you
know. One must draw the line some
where But papa said you were all
right, so we kept you Otherwise he
would have sent you to a hospital and
settled the damages with you later.
AS it is, you are here and have daffo-
dis and
"No damages"
She laughed at him again.
ooh, you might even collect dam
ages in spite Of the daffodils! What
shall tell papa you want?''
'"Tell him l want All interview" said
Stafford grimly. And. say, will you
please give me the pad and pencil In
the inside pocket Of my overcoat-ro,
the other side-thanks Before he
comes up"
When Houghton entered he gave the
occupant OF the bed a quick, direct
look The girl was behind him. Stat
ford punched another pillow back Of
his head and tried to sit up.
keep STILL" said Houghton "Grace
will take your notes for you. Is this
what you came after?"
''Yes. From the Record News, New
York" Stafford fumbled weakly to
get his old grip on the pencil 1--WE
want your view on tla strike situation.
The elevated men went out Monday.
and the subway followed them Tues
day morning. If the surface men go
out it will tie up the whole town. Blk
by heads the committee Of arbitration,
but they say you are back Of him and
won't arbitrate."
Houghton opened his mouth to speak
and shut it again as he looked down
at the white, logged young face on the
pillows. When he left the room half
an hour later Stafford held eleven
pages Of notes the girl had taken down
for him. 1t was the broadcast interview
old Houghton had ever given out to any
newspaper. Stafford smiled lazily at
the daffodils and thought first Of what
Curtis would say and, second, Of how
the sunlight had danced and fickered
she sat by the window taking notes.
It was six weeks before he left
Brakesmere. He had not noticed the
time. 1t had been February when he
had dropped over the stone wall. 1t
was April before he wired the Record
News he would be back at work Mon
day.
Houghton went himself to the station
with him. The two men had passed
many a comradely ten minutes togeth-
er during Stafford's convalescence, and
it made things a little easier for STAFF
ford as he told Grace and the promise
he held from her.
.'It's all right, Tom,"' said HoughtOn.
Nothing to say at all. I've got six
Of them married, and they've married
everything from a broker to a duke.
I am inclined to compliment Grace on
her choice. You ought to see the rest
of them, especially the duke. He's
taxing me for damages yet. But about
that interview, you left out one impor
tant feature. You wanted my views on
the strike situation, didn't you, and
you thought i was holding Bixby back
on the arbitration 2"
.'Well, weren't you? demanded Stat
ford
''My boy, that strike was arbitrated
and settled and called off the night
Grace ran you down with her auto
But you can hold up your head in
town all the same That was the only
interview l gave out, and it clinched
Bixby's stand SO l guess your dam
ages are about settled, Ell p
Stafford smiled, but he was thinking
Of a girl standing among the daffodils
in the garden, her face appraised to his.
Settled IN full for injuries received. ;"
be said