Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-07-11
Tie Evening Story
~
UP AGAINST 1T,

| pier he dropped upon one of the
benches. 1t was quiet there-a gooc
place to think, to look things square
ly in the face.
When he rose his lips were firm
He went straight into the orange
grove, but this time he sought the 81
p~erintendent, not the owner. M
names Tom Walton he began. 81
want a job"
The superintendent was examining
some spots on the leaf Of an orange
with a microscope. He seemed on the
point of refusal. but with the words
on his lips glanced toward the appli.
cant. Then his expression changed
to approval: You're a big, museu,
not much used to work."
Tom Walton pulled up one of his
| sleeves with q half smile, showing q
big lump of corded muscles; then he
spread out the palms Of his hands
with their flesh hard and firm.
Yes, YES, I noticed that" the su
perintendent said. but it all comes
from boating and golfing and nifty
exercise like that. not real work. And
still like the way you make up and
the straight look in your eyes. ]
guess maybe I have got q job for a
man like you. Where are you stop
ping?"
Nowhere after today. I shall try
to find q room or two and do my own
cooking. I'm fairly good at that from
camping out. And it's cheaper. You
see, I happen to be up against it just
now"
well, maybe I can fit you out. I
have a little three-room house back
in the grove near the lake that I can
let you have cheap. And there's an
old rowboat tied to the bank that you
can use; it may help you out consid-
erably on living if you like fish. When
can you come on?" -.t
I'm the morning. I have a few
things to bring over first"
Tom Walton went from there to the
Plaza, where he paid his bill, looking
a little ruefully at the small amount
of change he had left. He had in
tended to draw a check for his hotel
bill and expenses home, but checks
with his signature were no good now.
Before leaving the hotel he wrote
another letter, q paragraph Of which
read: II am glad, Miss Leigh, that
our acquaintance was of such short
duration and u engagement so sud-
den. 1t will enable you to readjust
yourself more easily and find a better
and, trust, more happy solution of
life. l have expressed myself clearly
SO you will understand the absolute
necessity Of this letter. 1 sincerely
hope o will soon forget-or at least
put the few weeks back in your
memory as an episode too trivial to
leave a cloud upon your life"
One afternoon a week or so later
Tom went to the p%ostoffice in jumper
and overalls just as he had come
from the grove. His shoulders We're
just as square as when he had con-
sidered buying a hundred thousand
dollar grove. Many of those waiting
for their mail nodded to him respec-
lively or in a friendly way.
Did o see her, Tom?" one OF
them inquired.
"Who?"
"a young lady was asking for YOU
just now. Came in on the mail train
and went across to the Plaza hotel"
Tom shook his head. Not me
wanted" he answered. There's 6
grove owner across the lake name;
Walltun, pronounced the same as my
name. They have a lot Of company
After the mail Is distributed I'll re
across to the hotel and direct the
woman right"
Presently a letter slid INTO his DO.
and he unlocked the little door anc
took it out. The postmark made hin
open and read it hurriedly. Par. o
it an:
81 am not the forgetting kind, Tom
You ought to know that. And III
glad l was q poor workin, girl wher
you met me, and that I know abou
cooking and don't care for money. II,
just you. And it doesn't make 9