Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-08-17


versation was out of the question, but
the walk to the office still waited him
and he overstepped his time limit for
a full ten minutes.
Don't forget" came her word OF
caution at parting. Father win pre-
tend he's glad to see you; HEN invite
you to come again and spend the eve
ming, but be viii say that tonight he Is
far too busy to talk with you. Next
time 1t will be the same, and you'll
never get an opportunity to ask him,
and--well, you know can never mar
ry without his consent; he's far toe
kind a father for that"
'TIl remember" he answered laugh
ing. land I'll be ON hand promptly at
eight"
Just the man we're looking for,
the junior partner In the firm sang
out a few minutes later, as he hung
overcoat and derby in his locker.
Late. aren't your"
Had q little business OF see to be-
fore coming in," cambridge respond
ed, not considering 1t obligatory to
state its character.
The other nodded genially. showing
a package OF letters toward him
There's a couple OF inquiries from
men In your territory that need look
Ing after today" he observed. but
first wish you'd take hold of Gus
toner that we've all tried In vain to
land-Old Strathmore OF Strathmore.
~ hnar frud 40 10
three thousand a year. and Strathmore
is the man to see. Klien went after
him yesterday and we thought sure
he'd get him, but II was the same old
failure"
What's the trouble?" cambridge In
CURED. slipping into his coat again.
mo trouble at all. quite the reverse.
You go there, Strathmore looks up.
glad to see you. doesn't want you to
miss him on your rounds, always glad
to inspect goods, wants to keep posted
In everything new on the market. but
too busy this morning to give any at
tention. drop In again when In the
neighborhood.' Every call It's the
same old gag, and think we've been
there more than score of times in
the last three months"
cambridge heard. swapping his fin
gers to assure himself of wakefulness.
'Strathmore, too busy. glad to see
you, come again" He had heard the
story earlier in the day. and smiled
grimly at the prospect before him.
Yet 1t couldn't be possible that
Strathmore, tho millionaire. was
Alices father: It was probably mere
similarity in names. Klien, the crack
salesman OF the Arm, looked up from
his desk in the corner and solved the
riddle
"Strathmore's a character. Balm
bridge. He's worth a million or more
and yet he let's his daughter do short
hand for the Bigelow Trust. She's a
mighty fine girl and I've heard old
Strathmore declare that she'll aever
handle cent OF his money until she's
saved thousand or more from ten
dollar salary. Says she must learn
business methods and the worth of
money and that she shan't marry un.
less It's some one he's trained In his
way Of doing things. Get on the right
side Of him and you're all TO the
merry, bet he's coated so thick with
civility that you can't touch him for a
dollars worth"
Suppose Miss Strathmore deter
mined to marry according to her own
desires and before the thousand was
saved, what then?" queried the junior
partner. grinning.
Its worth something to know his
way Of turning a man down." Balm
brio remarked, and Klien added:
Il calculated that Strathmore's
order would net me just about Ave
hundred year; sorry to lose It. but
glad to see you land 1t, old man"
Il shant be content with that"
cambridge observed as he left the Of
fee. "A turn down this morning
means E throw down tonight" he said
TO himself. EFF want Alice I've got
to get that order. | wonder II call
to his glad hand blum wouldn't win
out"
In due time the steel-clad structure
occupied by the firm he had resolved
60 conquer doomed before him, and
with courage born of his love for
certain gray-eyed girl he asked for the
senior member.
Yes, Mr.. Strathmore was in, would
be pleased to see the representative
of this particular firm. for which he
entertained the highest respect. He
shook hands with their agent, while
indicating the books and papers
heaped upon his desk
Would Mr.. BIinbridge please call
again? This morning he was extreme
~ busy, and although he had promised
a hearing to Mr.-sorry. but the name
had slipped his memory for the In
stant--would not he be excused from
looking over samples until more pro.
pitious hour:''
In spite of his anxiety cambridge
smiled. seating himself in the only va.
cant chair the Office afforded. slen-
der frame which trembled and cracked
beneath his avoirdupois He rose
hastily and set his sample case on the
floor beside him.
Really, Mr.. Strathmore, you mis-.
take" he responded blandly; u
haven't called to show goods: our firm
has no desire to transact business with
Srathmore. Burns & Noble while
their affairs are conducted on-its pres.
ent basis"
strathmore stared. opened his