Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-03-14
THE JUNIOR PARTNER

~O~

~ fielding ROBERTS walked
III into his private Office one morn
Ing about 10 o'clock, in a very
perturbed state Of mind. He carried
a telegram in his hand.
I'm in the greatest sort Of a fix,
Dick" he began, gloomily.
'Of course, it's great If you're In It,
old boy" declared the long blonde man
lounging at a desk. Pour out your
woes and I'll shoulder my half, like
gentleman"
Cant you ever take a thing seri-
ously" retorted his companion, with
more irritation than he often showed.
Hang 1t all! How can a man be in
two places at the same timeW
by being built on a demi-semi, self
detachable, double-acting, non-collaps
ible, each-side-for-itself sort Of plan,
with"
You see," continued Mr.. Roberts, as
though he had not heard the glib an
swer to his query. Haywood has just
arrived at the Morris House about that
De Koven will case. He Is stopping
over only for one day, und every min
ute counts. 1 simply must go to him
at once-and here Is Minnie's friend
due on the eleven o'clock express from
Washington, and I've promised to meet
her to arrange about a lot Of flowers
for a wedding In some villainous little
country town or other"
The junior partner picked up his
ears. A girl in the question made lots
Of difference.
whats the fAand's name, Ding"
he inquired, sitting up quite straight.
What on earth has that to do?"
exclaimed Roberts. you certainly
are"
Don't get cross, Ding" put in Dick,
Berenely, but tell me, like a good boy"
WELL If you must know, her name
Is Amy Cloyerdale, and she's % years
old, a graduate Of Wellesley, dark
eyes, fair hair, dresses we'll, and is one
Of my sisters dearest friends. Her an
cestors, on her mothers side, were
French Huguenots, on her fathers
English Cavaliers. Her father is a
banker in Washington 1 believe she
is fond Of Ktpling, and can make good
chocolate caramels. Her favorite color
is blue, but she wears much brown"
This catalogue Of personal items was
ratified off at furious speed in such vio-
lent contrast to his usual dignifed
utterance that Dick could only stare in
wonder. He began to realize that his
friend thought his dilemma q truly Sc
rious one.
THANK you, Ding" he said, quite
gently, II didn't know you were per-
sonally Interested"
1t was Mr.. Roberts turn to stare.
why, I'm not; I've never seen her,
but
Never seen her!" calculated Dick,
with amazement and a sudden sus-
picion. did you make that all up?"
NO" responded his friend, rather
grimly. I'm not the romancer Of this
firm. I've heard Minnie talk Of her."
And never forgot a word! Ding, I
fear I've done scant justice to your
extraordinary mental powers. By
George! I've got a scheme!" he ex-
claimed a moment later, and sprang
mp in great excitement, knocking over
his chair as he did so. IF you've
never seen her, Ding why can't 1 go
to meet her and attend to the errand,
whatever 1t is? Haven't you a photo
graph of her, so 1 can recognize her?
And then you can mosey over to see
De Koven, and stay a week If you
want to. Amy Cloverdale-I like the
sound of that name!'
For the first time Fielding's brow
cleared.
Il wonder how that would work,
Dick?" he said with animation. "You
know, 1t really doesn't make any diff
ference who sees about the flowers, so
long as they are sent out to Roxbury
Oh the morning of the twentieth. A
cousin of Miss CloverdaIe, living there,
is to be married. She is coming on
now to the wedding, and was to meet
her to get the details of the order from
her in person, besides showing a little
clyility to Mtnnle's friend. You under
stand?"
Perfectly" was Dicks grave re
joinder. I'll take along my note
book, and I'll be as civil as in me lies.
Amy Cloverdale-Amy Cloyerdale-
What a lovely name, so musical and
suggestive Of dusky GOODNESS, to say
nothing Of gentleness and innocence.
Amy-Amy- Clover"
The senior party burst out laughing.
All his burden of anxiety removed, he
was free to enjoy, as he never failed
to do, the aDsurdities OF his Whimsical,
irrepressible, big hearted, dearly-loved
Achates.
THANK heaven for that laugh,