The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-01-21

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walls, at the window next his bed
There were yellow curtains ar it, and
on the window sill was q far filed with
poisoning daffodils. They looked pref
~ in the sunshine. Stafford was 50 en-
crossed In watching them that he did
not notice the girl Standing at the half
opened door until the nurse had left TIE
room and she came 10 the foot Of the
bed and smiled down at him.
WAS it Yesterday" asked Stafford.
She laughed.
you have been bad. haven't you? It
was day before, day before, day before
yesterday-last Tuesday"
Stafford stared steadily up at he-,
Last Tuesday! AMI he should have
turned IN the interview by Wednesday.
30 Curtis could hustle the illustrations.
did you wire to New York;
I'VE couldn't. We didn't know
where 10 wire You're the prince In
cog, you knor,. We don't know
blessed thing about you. who you are
or where you came from. It's very
interesting"
$50 1t Is" assented Stafford serious
". MAY ] ask IL Mr. Houghton has
teen meT'
''Oh, yes! He csme up the very first
thing and said he thought you were all
right We didn't want a Raf1es, 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 and9-
''No damages"
She laughed at him agaiR.
''Oh, you might even collect dam
ages in spite of the daffodils! What
shall l tell papa you want?"
''Tell him want an interview" said
Stafford fgrimiy. And, say will you
please give me the pad and pencil IN
the inside pocket of my overcoat-no,
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. I'VE
want your view on the strike situation.
The elevated men went out Monday,
and the subway followed them Tues
day morning. II 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 f1ickered
around a certain girls blond head as
she sat by the window taking notes.
1t 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. It
was April before he wired the Record
News he would be back at work Mon
day.
Hought0n went himself to the station
with him. The two men had passed
many a cOmTadely ten minutes tOgeth-
er during Stafford's convalescence, and
1t made things a little easier for Stat
ford as be told Grace and the promise
he held from her.
IT'S all right. Tom.r said Houghton.
Nothing to say al all I've got six
OF them married, and they've married
everything from a broker to a duke.
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 was holding Bixby back
on the arbitration
We'll weren't your demanded Stat
ford.
Ny boy. that strike was arbitrated
and settled and called of 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 1 gave out, and 1t clinched
Bixby's stand. So / guess your dam
ages are about settled, ehT
Stafford smiled, but he was thinking
OF a girl standing among the daffOdils
IN the garden. her face appraised to his.
Settled in fun for injuries received"
be said.