River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-07-23

eyes of his quarry and in the cast OF
his countenance that one could easliy
have mistaken him for preacher OF
the word of God. His carriage was
dignified, and he was dressed soDerly
and without ornament.
The people on the steps OF the post
Office had drawn back respectfully De-
fore him. touching their hats. 1t was
evident that he was widely known ana
that be was revered.
Kearney had not determined what
step to take next when the man whose
shadow he was to become was stopped
by another.
"Oh, Mr.. Nelson" cried the citizen
accosting him. II would like to Wish
you all the happiness in the worid the
day before your marriage"
Nelson's face broke into a smile or
pleasure.
THANK you. sir" he replied Il
could never hope to deserve all the
good wishes that have been onered
me-" He looked embarrassed ana re-
turned TO his machine outside.
Kearney had studied him from the
crown of his head to his heels. II
that man was Jim Montgomery the
| change was remarkable. He made no
attempt to follow him. He felt sure
that Nelson had not seen him. A man
as prominent In the community as
Nelson was could be easily found at
any hour of the day or night. ana
then, too, the morrow was his wedding
day!
Kearney took the letter from the
postal employee inside and went to his
hotel room.
He asked the clerk for his large en-
velope from the safe. and when his
door was closed behind him he drew
forth the pictures from the gallery
of rogues. He studied them carefully.
The man hunter felt that there was
some faint. intangible hint about the
eyes in the photographs which con
nected them with the man who had
mailed the letter to Nyack.
Two weeks of seclusion In their
mountain home, two weeks with every
hour Of day and night filed with gold
en- romance. and John Nelson and his
bride brought an end to their honey
moon.
The castle OF the one time hermit
contained his workshop. From it had
gone his latest invention. His i'm
proved knitting machines were already
installed in plant built for them.
His company had been capitalized and
set in motion. He was It's president
and chief stakeholder.
Scores of women and girls from the
mill country around and even from
the backwoods were waiting for en-
plOyment.
Although his knitting mills could
produce the same amount of finished
product at half the operating ex
penses of any other mill. Nelson did
not look forward to the accumulation
of large profits. He and Molly decid-
ed that they would make the plant a
model one, place where labor would
be paid it's highest figure. 1t would
be an industry in which the profits
would find way to the workers as
much as to the directors.
The day was at hand for the open
ing Of the new plant, and the two
motored to Greenville to select their
workers. instruct them in their tasks
and start the machinery OF new In
dustry.
Mr.. Bryan. his wife and his son were
at the mill to witness the start Of the
new venture which promised so high
~. June roses and nasturtiums were
piled In a great bank on Nelson's desk.
Mr.. Bryan had arranged another desk
opposite for Molly, knowing her inter
est in the mill people who would be
chosen as operatives. There were
many little gifts of gold and silver Of
fee utensils hidden under flowers for
the bride and bridegroom.
Nelson had already instructed Molly
in the handling of the machines he
had built, and the two worked with
the girls patiently and taught them
their simple duties
The first payrOllS were drawn, the
first days work was under way.
Through the wide. open windows of
the building came the heavy fragrance
of early summer IN the country. The
grounds about the plant were bright
with geraniums and beds of panses
nasturtiums and peonies.
The pretty mountain girls. all In
their freshest ginghams and muslins
all happy in the possession of well
paid tasks. stood by the knitting ma
chimes watching the flashing needles
and the steady flow of the raw ma
terial that fed them. Molly Nelson
paced the aisles. glad in her task as
fOrewoman for a day.
Nelson's secretary brought him his
first batch Of mail in his new business.
He trimmed the edges of the envelopes
as he unused over his happiness and
the rosiness of the future. He had
nothing to fear. Molly knew his Sc
cret and there was no skeleton in their