Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-12-04

| They've got to take in a thIrc party to
keep it a close corporatio4f. 1t was
| all between old Buck, Buck J.5nior, and
old lady Buck How can You tell
whether the new member win want a
woman on the road, or not?"
A little steely light hardened the
blue of Mrs. McChesney's eyes.
Well leave the firm of T. A. Buck
out of this discussion, please"
"Oh, very WE'LL" Ed Meyers was
unabashed Lets talk about From
kin. He don't object, do you, Abe?
! It's just like this. He needs your
smart head You need his money.
| It'll mean a sure thing for you-a
share in a growing and substantial
business. When you get your road
men trained it'll mean that you won't
! need to go out on the road yourself,
except for a little missionary trip
now and then, maybe. No more in
fernal early trains, no more bum hotel
grub, no more stuffy, hot hotel rooms,
no more naughty lady buyers gosh,
wish | had the chance!"
Emma McChesney sat very still.
Two scarlet spots glowed in her
cheeks mo one appreciates your
/ gift of oratory more than l do, Mr..
Meyers. Your flow of language,
coupled with your peculiar persuasive
/ powers, make combination statue
couldn't resist. But l think it would
sort of rest me if Mr.. Fromkin were
to say word, seeing that it's really
! his funeral.
Abel Fromkin started nervously,
and put his dead cigarette to his
lips. 81 amt much of talker,' he
said, almost sheepishly. Meyers,
he's got it down fine. / tell you what.
I'll be in New York the 21st. We
can go over the books and papers
and the whole business. And like
you should know my wife. And 1
got little girl Would you believe
it, that child amt more as year
old, and says papa and mamma like
| a actress!"
Sure" put in Ed Meyers, disre-
| garding the more intimate family de-
tails. "You two get together and fix
things up in shape; then you can
| sign up and have it off your mind
so you can enjoy the festive Christ
mas season"
Emma McChesney had been gaz-
! ing out of the window to where the
| street lamps were reflected in the
recovered pavements. Now she
spoke. still staring out upon the win
try street.
christmas isn't a season. It's a
feeling. And / haven't got it"
"Oh, come now, Mrs. McChesney!"
| objected Ed Meyers.
With sudden, quick movement
Emma McChesney turned from the
window to the little dark man who
was watching her SO intently. She
faced him squarely, as though utterly
disregarding Ed Meyers fattery and
banter and cajolery. The little man
before her seemed to recognize the
earnestness of the moment. He leaned
forward a bit attentively.
eff what has been said is true" she
began, this ought to be good thing
for me. If go into it, I'll go in heart,
soul, brain, and pocketbook. | do
know the skirt business from thread
to tape and back again. I've managed
to save few thousand dollars. Only
a woman could understand how I've
done it. I've scrimped on little things.
! I've denied myself necessities. I've
| worn silk blouses instead of linen ones
4 folxo a
street car or bus to save a quarter or
fifty cents. I've always tried to look
well dressed and immaculate"
"You!" exclaimed Ed Meyers.
''Why, say, you're what I call swell
dresser. Nothing flashy, understand,
or loud, but the quiet, good stuff that
spells ready money"
''M-m-m-yes But it wasn't always
so ready. Anyway, always managed
somehow. The boys at college. Some
times I wonder-well, that's another
story. I've saved, and contrived, and
planned ahead for rainy day. There
have been two or three times when
thought it had come. Sprinkled pretty
heavily, once or twice. But I've just
turned up my coatcollar, tucked my
hat under my skirt, and scooted for a
tree And each time it has turned out
to be just summer shower, with the
sun coming out bright and warm"
Her frank, clear, honest, blue eyes
4 were plumbing the depths of the black
ones. Those few thousand dollars
that you hold SO lightly will mean
everything to me. They've been my
cyclone cellar. If"
Through the writing room sounded a
high-pitched, monotonous voice with
note of inquiry in it.
.'Mrs. McChesneyt Mr.. Fraser! Mr..
Ludwig! Please! Mrs. McChesney!
Mr. Fraser! Mr.. Lud-'
"Here, boy!" Mrs. McChesney took
the little yellow envelope from the
salver that the boy held out to her.
/ Her quick glance rested on the written
words. She rose, her face colorless.
"Not bad news?" The two men