The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-01-03

tool I'm glad now / stuck by Mr..
Fred, If l have almost gone crazy do
ing 1t He's queer, but all he needs
is Jogging up like, and he will be the
man we have always wanted him to
be- I wish Miss Ada could see him"
The portly figure came to a stand
still beside the window.
We'll, of all thingsl Couldn't a
day like this even keep him at
home"
She stood awhile in silence. I'm
going to risk It," she said at last,
starting for the library door.
Huntley came out wonderingly.
The sheriff just drove into Met
calf's with old Mr.. Bates. / know his
cream-colored team. They are going
to foreclose on the mortgage-on
such a day as this! don't suppose
the snow could be too deep to keep
them away!"
THAT is bad" said Huntley, won
dering little why he should be inter
rupted in a surprisingly interesting
conversation 20 be informed of his
neighbor's haro luck.
But what can they do? II they
could have staid another year they
might have had a start"
"Yes, 1t is bad" said Huntley, with
more interest this time
Couldn't you go down, Mr.. Fred?
There is time before dinner is
ready"
Go down. l suspect they feel bad
enough about this without having the
neighbors rush in to witness their
humiliation"
But isn't there something you
could do? If the interest was paid
expect they might be given more
time. You know they are honest;
the trouble isn't their own fault
Everything has been against them"
Huntley turned with smile.
You're great on suggestion, Mrs.
Brim. But I can try this. If you
think best"
Mrs. Brim's smile was broader than
before as she resumed her prepara-
tions for dinner.
IF this keeps up" she whispered
as she mixed the salad dressing. Il
believe I'll take hand in finding that
grill"
Huntley crossed the meadow where
the wind had swept away the snow,
and, hearing voices in the barn,
paused. thinking the men were talk
ing over the matter before going into
the house.
1T is no use, Martha" he heard
Metcalf say In a discouraged way.
But, James," persisted his wife,
the COWS are ours. Couldn't we
mortgage them and raise the inter
est?"
"And lose everything in the end?
No. we'll take what we have left and
get out. Run in out OF the cold
girl. And don't cry. Well manage
some way"
Huntley waited in the snow until
husband and wife had entered the
house. Then he tapped on the kitchen
door. He had never before realized
what a few hundred dollars might
mean to a man.
Metcalf and the sheriff were in the
kitchen. Voices in the next room IN.
dicated that the older man had gone
into the best room"
Huntley warmed his hands at the
stove, thinking rapidly.
See here. Metcalf," he began,
maybe you will not thank me for in
terfering. But you know there is no
use in trying to keep things quiet
and I understand you are in a little
difficulty over the mortgage. If you
wish to stay. l wonder If you will ac-
cept what you need from me, to be
returned when you can. conven.
iently?"
you see." turning to the other
man, II happen to know that Metcalf
isn't to blame for his shortage-he
has had bad luck straight through"
why, thank you," stammered the
farmer, relief struggling with the dis
couragement deep stamped on his
tanned face. This is more kindness
than / could expect from stranger"
From a neighbor." corrected Hunt
ley. smiling.
We'll, now" cried the sheriff, "you
fellows come down the first good day
we have and fix this thing up. I'm
mighty glad Metcali isn't to be
turned cut"