Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-01-22


brcnusc she took pleasure IN II. In
dulged clandesiinely.
Mr. Wineluw was 90 irritated with
Kennedy that he paid him bis salary
and discharged him. He supposed his
action to he based on the young man
winning his daughters love without
permission. lie forgot that be had
won the girls mother In the same
way. The true reason was that he
was irritaied because be had been
stupidity ignorant Of what was going
on.
The day when commencement OH
the contract must be made drew near.
One morning Mr.. Winslow while per
fecting bis plans to make sure OF the
smallest details had all his formula
spread out before him on table. The
weather was cold and blustery. and
fire Of logs blszcd on hearth near
which he had drawn his table for
warmth. Opening the door TO leave
the room for moment. he met n
brisk current OF air When he return
ed his papers had disappeared from
the table Terrified. he looked about
fireplace he noticed several bits OF half
burned paper. Taking one Of them
out. he found II TO be a part Of his
formula. Everything had been burned.
In one week he must begin work or
forfeit his contract. II II was forfeit
ed he would lose not only the splendid
profit he had expected. but thousands
upon thousands that be had expended
in preparation would be almost total
loss--a loss that would bankrupt him.
There was but one thing 10 do-he
must reconstruct bis plans. There was
no time TO make new ones. The old
ones must be set down from memory.
lie was no longer young. Indeed. he
had reached an age where memory In
grown defective He hurried a mes
sage TO the telegraph Office asking for
an extension OF time. No reply camo
TIL the next day. when he was wired
that II would be impossible to grant
his application.
When Elsie saw her father come in
at the front door that evening sho
thought he was some broken down old
man she had never seen before. Tax
ing him In her arms. she supported
him TO the library. where he sank into
chair. while she knelt beside him
with her arms about his neck. She
knew what had happened to his pa
pers and Inferred that his application
for an extension had been refused.
Father" she said. 1--WE something
to tell you Listen | wrote Ned Ken
nedy OF this misfortune. This after.
noon received reply. which said:
81 can reconstruct the formula"
II seemed to Elsie that an electric
shock had been infused into her fa.
theirs frame. With bound he sprang
from his chair
Can heY' he exclaimed
There was no room for wounded
pride. no words OF regret at being
obliged to humble himself by asking a
favor OF the man be had discharged
from his service
where is he? Can you get him
nowY
Elsie sprang away to a telephone. In
a few minutes was In communication
With her lover. and In twenty minutes
more he was with them.
Elsie says began her father.
II knor It," Interrupted Elsie. rub
bling her hands gleefully.
II have good deal OF the work |
did" said Kennedy. "in my room,
where worked nights. odds and ends
OF figuring These will assist my men,
DRY. and am sure | can recall the
whole formula"
Mr. Wlnslow stood looking at the
young man in dazed way for a few
moments. then caught him In his
arms and Rugged him.
"You can. You can. know you
can. That memory OF yours. It's Won
derful. When can you begini"
I'll 60 TO my room and begin at
once
NO. no: not there. Bring any fgur-
ing You may have here. Stay right
here ill the work is finished"
Ned was followed 10 tho door by
Elsie. where several minutes were lost
In n clinging embrace. prolonged In
the knowledge that from that time
forward they had the upper hand.
Then the lover ran all the way to his
room. snatched up q roll OF papers he
hnd collected with this very purpose
In view and ran all the way back lie
found Elsie and her father about TO sit
down TO dinner and Joined them. MIR.
Winslow was absorbed In the matter
OF the formula He said nothing. ex-
cept to interrupt Ned and Elsie coca
sionally. who kept up constant CAB
bic. the old man asking II Ned thought
he could supply this detail and that
detail. and Ned always assured him
that he could. though With regard TO
some Of them he was not altogether
certain.
After dinner Ned was given n desk
In the library. with plenty OF station
airy. Mr.. Wlnslow insisted on helping
him. but Ned declared that he could
get on better alone So nj o o'clock
Elsie insist~i on her father going 10
bed 70 recuperate from the strain he