The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-06-17


color deserted her lips. Mistaking it
for a false. alarm. he went on. with
smile on his lips:
Il sold it to the Consolidated Tin
! Can company for $1,000. | made them
raise their bid $500. Isn't that glori-
ous?"
A cry escaped her lips, and her eyes
filed with anguish Montrons stared
at this exhibition of emotion, unable TO
explain it.
And the royaltiesf' she gasped.
There will be no royalties"
But yon said there would be for
tune in royalties and that you would
never sell ii outright"
The light In his eyes made her SILVER
But. Tess little girl. don't you see, /
might have to wait years for that, and
we needed the rest. the change-y you
and l. And $1,000 is a good sum- 1t
will give us vacation
She placed her hands to her face and
was sobbing softly Montrous APP
preached and tried to speak steadily,
but his voice wavered
Tess. dear, don't you see that love
you and that we can-can go away for
time? When we are married we"-
She stepped back still holding her
hands before her eyes The movement
brought Montrous to a sudden stiff at
titude. The blood left his face. His
voice was very faint.
Tess, you do not love me? You can
not care for me-in this way%'
She made no reply. but continued her
sobbing
"0h, Pm SO sorry" she murmured
brokenly You must let me think
leave me aloner'
Tess did not appear at the restaurant
the next day nor the next On the
third Montrous could stand 1t no
longer He interviewed the proprietor
and learned. to his chagrin. that the
new waitress had left
Tess was out when he called at her
boarding house. but he was relieved to
find that she had not changed her lodg-
ings and thus escaped him entirely. He
was full of good news and anxiously
waited her return. She came In late.
less tagged than when he met her last,
but still with circles under her eyes.
Tess I've good. tidings.' he said i'm
pulsively. taking her hand. Some
fairy godnother of mine has interced-
ed for me. The-great Tin Can heart
has softened. l can hardly believe the
news to be true. But have it in black
and white, and I'm forced to accept it. ("
She flushed prettily. and the return
Of the old happiness In her eyes trans
formed her features.
lou don't ask me what it is | have
to tell your" he added in disappoint-
ment Have you lost all interest in
the patent? If so. then my good for
tune will not interest you"
mo. no! Tell me-
Tive made a new contract with the
Consolidated Tin Can company" he
announced abruptly. Instead of pay
ing me $1,000 for the patent they will
use 1t In all their factories and pay me
royalties. And the most wonderful
thing about 1t is that the proposition
came from them. Can you believe itY'
mo" she answered family.
Do you know what that means to |
meY he added. why, it will make
me rich-rich enough to go on with my
work and to take vacation when I |
wish. It's sure income of many +
thousands and
Then he stopped. The remembrance I
Of their last interview flashed over
him. The joy of the present suddenly
lost its power. He was conscious of
loss which success could not requite
The sadness in the corners ofshis eyes
gave him an old, wrinkled appearance.
He glanced once at her. and then his
resolution made him turn away. His
hands strayed idly among the papers
and magazines on the table. She had
brought bundle Of them in with her.
and they lay close to his finger tips.
While his eyes roamed from one print
ed word to another the slow abstrac-
ion changed to sudden new interest.
de picked paper from the table and
studied it closely. The paper was neat
y typed, and the words had familiar
ook. Increasing surprise and wonder
grew In his face, transfxing him so
hat he was scarcely conscious of her
presence.
With uncomprehending eyes she
the slow change dawning In
lis face. The awkward silence at
racted her attention, and her eyes fell
lpon the paper in his hands. There
vas cry of dismay from her, and
With sudden alarm she glided toward ,
linn and snatched the fatal document
With cheeks flushed and eyes iustrous
With fear she glanced up, hoping fear
ully that her secret was still safe.
But In that instant she read the mean
ng OF his dull, baff1ed gaze. II
Tess" he said slowly, "what does
bis mean?" /
he brushed his brow with trem- /
ling hand. II
"How did you get thisY' he contin- t
ed thickly. TITS copy Of my agree
lent with the company. How le