The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-08-07

year ne had been planning the trip
He had nearly $500 saved up, for the
Curtains were wealthy and spent the
summer at an expensive resort Yet
it did not seem right to spend all the
money when it might be the price of
Moxie Solomon's life.
With d sudden determination he
turned into side street, and presently
he was in the charity Organization of
fee The superintendent was interest
ed, but helpless. Like the hospital. the
demands were greater than their re
sources He might send Mox away for
two weeks with one of the fresh air
parties More than that he could not
do unless Vardon cared to raise sub
scription. When Vardon turned away
1t was with receipt for more than
half his vacation money in his pocket.
Mox's stay in the country until his leg
was well was assured
1t was hard to have to write Bess
that he was not coming. 1t was hard
err still to explain without seeming to
ask her appreciation of his action. In
the end he said nothing of the reasons,
simply writing that unexpected devel-
opments made it impossible for him to
come.
Mox's delight at the news of his va
cation brought a feeling of warmth to
Vardon's heart, but it did not relieve
the ache when BesS' cold reply came
She had not understood and was an
CRY that he should have changed his
plans at the last moment
Vardon spent his two weeks at
cheap resort near town and came back
to take up the office grind again. Bess
had not replied to his last letter, and
though Mox's beaming face as he de-
parted on the train for the country
home repaid part of the sacrifice the
dull ache remained
The next few weeks dragged miser-
ably. Then one morning there was a
letter at his plate at the breakfast
liable that for a moment seemed to
| stop the action of his heart.
Bess was coming to town on Friday,
and she suggested that they might
/ lunch together and he could take her
to roof garden in the evening.
II have lot to tell you," she wrote
Il met one of your friends up here, and
want to tell you what he said. I
shall save it for lunch"
Somehow the days dragged by, but
Friday came at last Sitting across the
table from her Vardon could not real
lie his good fortune
II thought you were angry" he said
as he leaned forward.
II was" she admitted frankly. 81
was counting so much on your visit
I had made no other plans for those
two weeks. and when your letter came
and you did not even offer an explana-
ton of your rudeness 1 could not un.
derstand it. 1t seemed as though you
wanted to hurt my feelings
"Could you think that?" he cried re
proachfully.
II am afraid" she confessed shyly
that in my disappointment l was no
fair. Then your friend came. and i
was all explained"
"Who was that?' he asked curiously
He did not remember having told an!
one of his real reason
"a gentleman of the name of Solo
mon," she smiled "Moxie Solomon.
believe it is
What is Mox doing in your part o
the country?" he demanded 81 under
stood that he was at Melrose.''
THAT is just below us. We drov,
over there one day to see the Riddles
and Mox told his story"
Vardon moved awkwardly in hi
chair. He did not want to be praised
even by Bess.
81 suppose Mox put lot of trim
mings to itg' he said after pause
HE was very truthful" she said
smiling softly. "He said that 70,
\ were the best man he knew"
And you think so too?' His vote,
trembled with eagerness. Bess nod
ded
"Good enough-for a husband, you
husband?7
81 think so, Dick" she whispered
'That's what / came to town to tel
you-to make up for your lost vaca
ton
Lost yaeation" he echoed. "Why
Mox's vacation was the most selfish
thing 1 ever did since 1t won me you"