The San Francisco call., 1906-04-15

= y the DullOiuB Nol9 ---NO
UET<TN an undercurrent TO all
81 things and the gray
edifce trembled Tom Jordan the
young Office man. sat on his stool in the
rear room Of the box In the front room
young Mr.. Dawson argued with old Mr..
Shackuer
ats the second offer from Rome. Ga,
i,s q week and the third from Talla-
hassee. It's good; We must conciliate.
Ne must keep their trade whatever we
do Jordan could see black-bearded
Dawson ndgeting-
we wouldn't have done it five years
ago. Three dollars and fifteen cents for
a barrel Of patent -four. We used to
make a profit Of q dollar a barrel But
go on-do as you like"
"ConcIiation. you know; following the
times" cried Dawson, running about and
rubbing his hands. Now. Tommie, write
out that telegram. Tommie.'
Outside "a farm wagon heavily laden
came round the corner Of the cooper sho''
James primer. a farmer. drove the team,
and BY his side sat girl
.swhy. Jamie-why. I'm mighty glad to
see you. jamie" Nr Dawson was trot-
ting into the street. And Miss Maude-
wen, I thought you were in Greencastle
al college. Brought IL little wheat,
Jamie? All right-sll right
Times too hard for college, blurted
Briner's staccato voice His face was
rough-cut. not unlike an Indians. hair
less. browuish RED. vaguely humorous,
plainly rendered ruggeder by trouble.
What you goin' TO give me for this
wheat. hey?"
Oh. Mr.. Briner" came old white
shaclner's sick and complaining tones,
..dfty-eight is the best we can do; dear
me-
''The Lords tryin' to kill off the farm
-ers-huh-I see that" was the grim
reply.
-.Why. Jamie" cried Dawson, examin-
ing the wheat. "weli make you the very
highest price the market allows. Drive
right on:,Jamie.. Tommie, weigh Mr.. Bri-
ner's wagon. now, Tommie.' The horses
fees pounded the wooden platform.
Your daughter would make a fine
painting up there" called Jordan
The wagon made the long sweep, scat
tering the pigeons. and drew up at the
mill
Tom. IN gray trousers and vest, coat
less. lead pencils in his pockets, came
over here. too
You've promised to show me the mill. "
said Mause. a little difidenty.
Give me your hand.'' he cried. and she
Ieaped down. They entered the rumbllng
edifice.
1t was necessary. all over the MILL for
him to lead her by the hand; and she
s1rank and was afraid and laughed full
Of joy at the same time.
"rn show you where your fathers
wheat comes in" said he, leading on
among steel monsters.
There it comes" He pointed TO a hole
where line Of grain began its screw-like
progress. "Blaude. I'm glad you couldn't
go back 10 Greencastle."
Il was sorry," she murmured, her face
bles. I'll maybe have to teach
''Maude-if you love me, you'll never
have 10 teacht'
She. startled, uttered a faint cry. like
q sob and one note of happy laughter
mingled together. He put his arms
around her and kissed her.
"But-what will father say? He's des-
psrate all the time Of late. He doesn't
Ike college men very well. You'll have
10 be very careful, 1om, to say the right
tllinss to him. she cried appeslingly.
I'll come tomorrow and try to win
him. said he, determined.
Il.
The farm vas only a mile from town.
The house, near the road, with a lawn in
front, was OF brick
That's Shackner & Dawson's buggy,
] see that" muttered Mr.. Briner, strid-
ing TO the front gate. Come in. Mr..
Jordan: If you can eat mortgaged VIC
tllals you're welcome to EN-"
Jordan tied his horse and stepped on
the lawn
Mr.. Briner. I'm sorry if you've been
having any trouble" he said.
Trouble! Huh. It's the man that lent
ME the money that's been havin' the
trouble" unused James. Mine comes
next"
They went in.
"Eou had to come into the country to
get something to eat I know" said Mrs.