Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-18
The
QUARRY
000OCO
Bp JOHN A. MOROSC

Bp JOHN A. MOROSC
Copyright 1913. by Little. Brown & Co

ployee For the right to manufacture
and sell his improved carding machine
Nelson was paid $4,000 cash and CIV
en- royalty on the sales.
When the transaction was closed and
the money deposited in his bank John
Nelson felt that the dream of his pris-
on days was beginning to materialize.
The foundation of the fortune neces-
sary for him 10 prosecute a world
wide search for the man for whose
crime he had suffered was laid His
aim was higher than money and ease.
To pile up a fortune was only detail
of the task before him. His brain was
already busy with the incubation of
another inventive idea.
The Sabbath following the disposal
of his patent rights was day of seri-
Gus and grateful contemplation to Mel
son. He attended service with the
Lansings and then shut himself in his
room. His reflections were brought
to an end by a call from Mrs. Lansing,
informing him that Mr.. Bryan wanted
him on the telephone. He hastened
to the instrument in the hall below
and answered a pleasant greeting
from the mill president.
II have letter from the people you
signed with" Mr.. Bryan informed him
over the wire, "and. they desire to
know whether they may have an op-
ton on your second invention"
''Tbe next one may be failure"
said Nelson, with a little laugh of
pleasure at the praise given him.
II would like to talk the matter over
with you," suggested Mr. Bryan. "If
you have nothing else to do. come over
to supper. My car is handy; suppose
l run over for you?"
''Thank you: shall be glad to spend
the afternoon with you"
Better STILL" MIR. Bryan added. get
your things together and spend the
evening with us. Then we can talk
into the night and I'll take you in to
the mills with me in the morning"
Nelson promised to be ready and left
the instrument to pack his suit case.
Within half an hour he was with the
mill president in his motor, speeding
over the hard, red clay roads toward
his home.
The autumn was well advanced The
leaves and vines of the forests through
which they Travelled were touched with
gold and bronze and crimson.
The Bryan home was in the center of
a magnificent estate of 1000 acres.
through which flowed a branch of the
Saluda river. In the distance. amid
many majestic and ancient shade trees.
the white pillars of the mansion
cleaned
The motor swung through a wide
garden gate and pulled up as cheerful
cries of welcome came to the occu-
pants from the family assembled on
the piazza.
Here we arer' cried Mr. Bryan
alighting from the car.
He ran up the piazza steps. Nelson
following, to stately woman with
silvery hair.
Mother" he said. this Is our guest,
Mr.. Nelson. and this is my eldest boy,
Jim" went on Mr.. Bryan after Nelson
had greeted his hostess. He is just
your age. should think. Mr.. Nelson.
And here is Miss Molly Bryan. my
daughter
Nelson turned from James Bryan to
his sister and looked into a smiling.
girlish face. To him her eyes seemed
TO be patches of blue clipped from the
heavens. The sunlight of youth and
light heart was in them. Her hair
Sas gold. fine spun and piled high on
her shapely head. Her cheeks were
rich in coloring, like the cheeks of
English lassies, and her lips were
sweet and full.
Although there lurked in her con-
stant smile the coqueuy that is the
possession of all pretty girls of twenty,
she had the grace of bearing of her
mother, wide brow and chin that
suggested strength of character and
determination
II am glad to meet the famous Mr..
Nelson" she said pleasantly as she
studied his face for moment I'VE
have heard father speak of your inven-
tive work SO often. He says that you
are wizard with machinery"
Nelson felt his face grow hot All
that he had known of human affection
was the great love that his mother had
given him and the dumb. animal like
devotion of the old convict who had
helped him escape from Sing Sing.
There seemed to be caress in the lin
pid eyes of this lovely girl before him.
His heart beat wildly within him. The
warm touch of her hand sent a thrill
through his whole being.
'I-I-didn't know that had become
famous" he manaDd to stammer.
She realized his bewilderment and
from his eyes caught the confession
that suddenly. swiftly and unexpected
ly be had met the woman he was to
love-