Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-07-19

. the Rattle

as Philbrick entered the room. Phil
Phllbr1ck was the last person she
wanted to see. She could not very
well ask favor of man with whom
she had quarreled only a few weeks
before. She knew now that Phil
brick had been in the right, which
did not make the meeting any easier.
You wished to see me?" he asked =
briskly, as he came toward her.
Il want to see the man who gives
things away" she said lamely.
81 am at your service" he said
with smile. What is it, a Fresh
Air fund, a seaside hospital or a poor
woman with seven small children and
a runaway husband"
Grace smiled gratefully. 1t was nice
of him to get right down to business
without any personal preamble.
Its Mrs. Bonnat,"- she explained.
you see," Grace hurried on, Mrs.
Bonnat is getting up a fair at Lang
hampton for the hospital. It's for the
poor little children with bone tubercu-
losis"
Philbrick nodded Understandings
And being an excellent patron Of
ours she has asked for a contribu-
tion," he completed.
Grace nodded Il was coming to
town and she asked me to see Mr..
Tenton," she went on. II didn't know
he had gone to Europe"
Philbrick mentally supplied the re-
mainder of the sentence. He could
imagine that Grace would have de-
clined the mission had she known
that he was in charge of the big store
in the absence of the junior partner
81 think that we can find a way
to contribute to the cause" he said
pleasantly, mindful of Mrs. Bonnat's
heavy purchases. eff you will give
me some idea of what you think
would prove salable, l will see what,
can be done"
Philbrick was used to receiving re-
quests for donations. Every patron
seemed to feel entitled to a contribu-
ton to some favored charity and the
donations formed not inconsiderable
item in the profit-and-loss account.
Just now there was on hand half
case of dainty fans that presently
would find their way to the bargain
counter, so he cleverly led her to ap-
prove of this suggestion.
Samples were sent for, and while
they waited Grace constrafnedly
chatted upon such safe topics as the
weather and the heat in town. Phil
brick might have been an entire
stranger, for all the indication he
gave that a few short weeks ago they
had been engaged. At last the de-
cision was made and she rose to go.
81 wish you would wait a mo-
ment," he said quietly. Il should like
to make a personal contribution"
He slipped from the room and
Grace resumed her seat wondering
what he wished to give. He returned
in a moment carrying tiny morocco
case.
Il am really interested in your
charity" he said. please believe my
sincerity when l offer this to be
ratified off. 1t should bring in some
few dollars for the poor little kid
dies. They are welcome to It, have
no further use for it,"
She pressed the spring, knowing
full well what the case contained, but
the sight of the solitaire that had
been her engagement ring moved her
strongly.
You wish this to be ratified OFF,"
she repeated duly, blinking hard to
keep back the tears.
at is best that it should bring hap
u1af- 10 h. 4
Il do not care to keep it or to sell
it."
There might be someone you
could give it to- she sug.
gested.
PRECISELY" agreed Philbrick 81
am giving it to the poor misshapen
little tots who really need help"
For a moment she paused irreso
lutely, then she moved toward the
door and, with a few conventional
words of thanks for his kindness
slipped out.
But once she gained the cab
Grace's tears began to flow She
knew that Philbrck was not only il
the right, but that he would not bt
the first to speak. All the way tt
the station she fought with her prid,
and in the end love won. She wen
to the telephone booth and called vi
the store, asking for Mr.. Philbrick
Presently she heard his voice In an
swer.
This is Grace" she said softly g
have been thinking things over, Phi
il think that it would be wrong t
rattle off that ring because"
you are opposed to raffes?" h
asked as her voice faltered and Their
was silence for a moment
NO." she said softly, "but becaus
was wrong and I want it for mysel
If you are still willing"
willing" The voice through tn
receiver sounded like a shout "Wh,
you blessed child of course I'm wi