Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-09-19

tramp two miles across country to
reach the trolley, Arriving after a
series Of transfers, he found Benton's
card on the floor beneath the letter
drop with the penciled legend that he
was going out of town.
The deal Eddowes had been working
on would not hold out until Benton's
return, and he gritted his teeth as he
thought of all the commission ON the
transaction would have meant to him.
1t would have made up the sum
needed to complete the purchase of the
little house he wanted to offer Edna
Conant as a home, and it might mean
a year now before another such bril-
liant opportunity would offer.
He glanced out of the window
through the light, driving rain, at the
sodden vista of wet roof tops and
smoke stained buildings, and thought
how well the weather matched his own
feelings. For months he had been
working to close the real estate trans
action. Benton was to be at the office
at 10 to put the final details through,
and now he had sailed for Europe and
would not be back for several months.
1t was the final happening of a chain
Of accidents that had begun with his
stubbing his toe as he got out of bed,
followed by the loss of his last collar
button under the bureau, the burning
Of half his breakfast by a green serv-
ant girl and then the wreck and its
attendant discomforts.
he turned from the window with a
shudder.
This is fine beginning for the
week." he said to himself. IF it keeps
up this way until Saturday l shall
land in the lunatic asylum"
He took his seat before the desk and
busted himself with the papers in the
Benton matter. Four signatures and
the exchange Of a check would have
made the set complete and would have
brought him commission of $4,000.
Everything had been arranged to ex-
pedite matters. Benton had waited
half an hour In the hall until he had
just time to make the steamer upon
Wn1cn ne was TO sail.
Eddowes carefully clipped the papers
to file board and caught up his UNI
brella. There was no chance Of any
other caller during the lunch hour, and
the loss Of his breakfast and the tramp
across country had put an edge on his
appetite.
The streets were filed with the usu-
al hurrying throng. and, raising his
umbrella, he fell in with the process
sion of moist and steamlng mortals.
The wind had freshened. and the rain
was driving in sheets now. At the cor
ner by the trust company building the
air currents were unusually strong,
and just as he passed the curb a girl
ahead made a clutch at her umbrella
as It turned inside out. while the torn
silk fluttered from the bent ribs. Ed
doves covered the dainty hat with his
own umbrella and steered her to the
protection of the entrance.
"Let it drop in the gutter" he said
"There is no hope Of saving any part
Of It,"
Harry gasped the girl Where
did you come from|'
''From the Office" he laughed. what
brings you downtown, EdnaT'
81 was to meet father for lunch"
she explained. "He was called to an
important conference and left word
for me to go to lunch alone. l was
going home. l am so perfectly miser-
able. Everything has gone wrong to-
day. IL has been chapter of acct
dents ever since rose"
Lets be miserable together" he
suggested. "Come and have some
lunch, and we'll tell each other our
troubles"
He led the way to little place
where the service was excellent and
the prices moderate. Here, at little
table In the corner, she detailed her
chapter Of accidents, while he In turn
gave whimsical account OF his own
mishnps.
"We are companions In misery" he
said, with a laugh. II really believe
that II has done me good to pour my
tale OF woe into sympathetic ears"
81 know that II has done me good to
share my burden" she said, with a
look that made Eddowes' heart beat
the faster. 'I'm sorry about that deal
you lost"
'Tt meant a great deal to me-" he
said mournfully. Il was going to pure
chase the Gordon place."
''For Investment" she asked. though
she knew well enough she had said
once when she had visited his sister
how much she would enjoy place
ike that for her home.
IAN Investment In happiness" lie
said meaningly. III suppose that the
place will be sold long before I am
able to get another deal like this
through"
''Ts your happiness entirely depend
ent upon that one placer" she asked.
rs happiness matter Of real estate?"
"Real estate contributes materially
to happiness" he said. with an uneasy
laugh. II should not want to offer an
unworthy home TO the woman want
10 marry"
'Home Is what you make IT," she re-
minded him. There Is Jessie Bruce.
They have only four rooms in an
apartment house, but they are. perfect
b happy and content George had the
courage to ask Jessie a. soon as he
was certain that he could make both
snds meet In small way. He did not