Putnam patriot., 1913-07-04

in a day. However, had the chairman
OF the school-board returned the day
after his departure, Abbott Ashton
would have met him at the station.
Twice, in the opinion Of Fran. the
young man had failed her by allow
ing Graces mind to flash to impor-
tant discoveries along the path OF his
insulated remarks about the weather.
| This third test was more equal. since
he was to deal with no Grace Noir-
merely with a man.
As Littleburg had only one railroad.
and 1t branch" it was not difficult
to meet every train; moreover. Miss
Sapphira's hasty notes from her
brother kept Abbott advised At first,
Miss Sapphire said 1T will be a
week" later-"Then lay more-and
the business left ike this!" Then
came the final Bulletin Il may come
tomorrow. Look for me when you see
me-"
What the secret was that Abbott
must prevent Clinton from divulging,
he did not care 10 guess; doubtless
the picture of Gregory's past, with its
face to the wall, might be inscribed,
Some other woman" For surely
Grace Noir was some other woman.
With these thoughts. Abbott met the
evening train, to see Robert Clinton
hastily emerge from the solitude he
had endured in the midst of many
Robert was in no pacific mood and
when he found himself almost in the
arms of Abbott, his greeting was bois-
ferrous because impatient at being
stopped Abbott. knowing that Robert
was not ordinarily ELUSIVE. thought,
HE has the secret"
Robert shook hands without delay
ing progress toward the waiting hack,
bearing Abbott along on waves of
greeting.
But surely you are not going to
ridei" Abbott expostulated
"Business-very pressing-see you
later"
But | have business with you, Mr.
Clinton, that can't wait. Come. walk
with me to town and I'll explain; it'll
delay you only few minutes"
Like a FESTIVE horse ON finding him
self restrained, Robert Clinton lifted a
leg without advancing "Oh. very
we'll" he agreed. in fact. I've some
thing important for you, old fellow,
and I'll explain before before the
yes, before" he ended, turning his
| back with a smothered growl.
Lucky | was at the station" Alb
bolt exclaimed, "since you've some
thing to tell me, Bob What is it,"
In thus addressing his old friend as
Bob the young man was officially
declaring that their relationship as
teacher and school-direetor was for
ever at an end, and they stood as man
to man.
Clinton spoke rapidly. with his
wonted bruskness: Guess you know
I've been knocking about the country
for the last three or four weeks-saw
good many old friends-a fellow can't
go anywhere without meeting some
body he knows-cnrious. isn't it? Well,
I've just got an opening for you. You
know how sorry am because we had
to plump another teacher on to your
job. but don't you worry If Fran did
hold your hand-just you keep your
hands In your pockets after this when
there's danger-Say! I've got some
thing lots better for you than Little
burg. School out in Oklahoma-rich
private man behind it-he owns the
whole plant, and he's determined to
run it to suit the new ideas This
rich man-chum of mine--went West,
bought land, sat on it, got up with his
jeans full of money. Wants you to
come at once"
Abbott was elated. what kind of
new ideas, Bob" he asked joyously.
"Of that impractical nonsense OF
teaching life instead of books. You
know what mean, but don't think |
do. Don't worry about 1t now-some-
thing terribles on my mind-just aw-
full! | can't think of anything else.
What you want to do is to scoot out
to Tahlelah, Oklahoma. to this adj
dress-here's his card-tell 'em Bob
sent you" He looked at Abbott fe-
verishly, as If almost hoping Abbott
would bolt for Tahlelah then and
there. His broad red face was set
determinedly.
This news is splendi6!" Abbott
declared enthusiastically 81 had al
ready applied for a country school;
! was afraid / had lost out a whole
year. on account of-eyerything
must thank"
Abbott, don't want to be thanked.
l haven't got time to be thanked.
Yonder's Hamilton Gregory's house
and that's where I'm bound-good
night"
But. Bob. I haven't told you my
business"
"I'll hear it later, old fellow-dear
old fellow think a heap of you. old
Abb. But must go now"
fTa Tia Cantfpfad