The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-08-09

year he had been planning the trip,
He had nearly $500 saved up, for the
Curtains were wealthy and spent the
ummer at an expensive resort. Yet
it did not seem right to spend all the
money when it might be the price of
| MoXic SOlomon's life.
With a sudden determination he
turned into Il 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 lie could not
dO-unleSS Ea!Goa cared to raise a sub
scription. When Vardon turned away
it was With a 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
er 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 n
cheap resort lear town and came back
to take up the office grind again. Bess
had not replied to his last letter, and
though MoX's leaning 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
table that for a moment seemed 10
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 q roof garden in the evening.
II have a lot to tell you," she wrote.
II met M of your friends up here, and
I want to tell YOU what he said. I
shall save it for lunch"
Somehow the days dragged by, but
Friday came ut last. Sitting across the
table from her Vardon could not real.
ize his good fortune.
II thought You We're angry" he said
as lie leaned forward.
II was" she admitted frankly. 81
was counting S 20 much on your visit.
1 had made no other plans for those
two weeks, and when your letter came
and you did not eve offer an eNplana-
ton of your rudeness l could not I'M.
derstand it. 1t seemed as though you
wanted to hurt my feelings
"Could you think that?" he cried re.
%proachfully.
81 am afraid" she confessed shyly,
"that in my disappointment 1 was not
fair. Then your friend came, and ii
was all explained"
"Who was that?" he asked curiously.
He did not remember having told any
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 OF
the country?" he demanded. 81 under,
stood that he was at Melrose."
'That is just below us. We drove
over there II day to see the Riddles,
and Mox told his story"
Vardon moved awkwardly in his
chair. He did not want to be praised,
eve by Bess.
81 suppose Mox put a lot of trim.
mings to it:' he said after a pause.
"He was very TRUTHFUL" she said,
smiling softly. HE said that you
were the best man he knew"
'"And you think so too?" His voice
trembled with eagerness. Bess nod
ded.
"Good enough-for a husband, your
husband?"
II think SO, Dick" she whispered
"That's what l came to town to tell
you-to make up for your lost vaca'
ton"
Lost vacation" he echoed. why
Mox's vacation was the most selfish
thing l ever did since it won me you"
Betrayed by cIumsiness.
1--WE have to constantly keep Oh the
lookout for people who, in order to get
trade prices, pretend to be in the bust
ness said the head Of n of Our