Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-12-29
Copyright, 1915, by American Press Association.

for an extension. but | managed TO
scrape it together. The Briggs people
helped me out"
swell, you may need it. anyhow
said Trask. Ill wait until you get on
your feet"
Strickland shook his head. Thanks.
Jerry, but 1 want to wipe it out. III
feel easier"
Gall right. just as you like. Here's
the note"
And Trask took the document from
his money case while Strickland reach
ed into his inside coat pocket and took
out small flat packet of bills.
Sand here's your money" said Strick
land.
There was surprise on Trask's face
and in his voice as he said:
'Why the bilis?'
swell, it was so darn hard to get
that l just wanted the pleasure Of
handing you ten one-thOusand dollar
bills"
Trask took the bills and put them
into his pocket. You'd better count
it." said Strickland.
did you count it," asked Trask.
eyes"
"Well, that's good enough for me-"
Gratitude and friendship were APP
parent in Strickland's voice as he said:
"You gave me big lift, old boy. I've
got lots to thank you for"
'Any time you need help
YES, 1 know you've been a good
pal. Jerry. but l hope things will run
smoothly now. / should have gone
long ago. May has been urging me for
over Il year"
The joy of the lover-husband was in
the tone in which Strickland uttered
the name of his wife. 1t caught the
ear of his listener, and the face which
was turned away from Strickland at
the moment wore a peculiar smile.
But there was nothing to betray his
thoughts in his intonation or words
when he replied:
''She must have guessed what was
coming
Pride in his wife was now upper
most in Strickland's mind as he an
swered:
Yes: women have instincts about
those things. | tell you, Jerry, she's
one woman in a million. She's stuck
to me like a major through all this
business; never whimpered a minute,
never a complaint or an angry word.
All, she's an acer'
''She must be-" replied Trask.
"You know" Strickland went on, Its
too bad you never met May. l want
you to know her. Doris, dear, run and
tell mamma that Mr.. Trask is here"
Trask raised his right hand in ges-
ture of dissent He frOwned just
trifie, and his voice sounded bit hur-
ried as he replied:
Some other time, Bob. I've got to
hurry away. By the bye, I'd like to
have you come down to my place at
Long Branch Sunday. I'm getting up
a fishing party-six or eight Of us.
The bass are running well now"
III be glad to come" said Strick-
land
''I'll give you the address"
Trask took from his pocket a card
and pencil and wrote on the card.
Its on Henderson place. three blocks
from the railroad station" he said;
first house on the corner"
He gave the card to Strickland. who
placed it in his pocket with the word
Thanks
Better come down Saturday night,
as we want to leave by D Sunday
morning" said Trask. but I've got
to run along now"
AS he turned to the doorway he came
face to face with May Strickland,
about TO enter the room. For a mo-
ment he hesitated; then made as if to
90 on. The woman saw him and drew
back. but her husband. looking past
his departing friend, saw her and halt
ed her with:
Come in. dear
There was no way out for May
Strickland at this juncture in her life.
She could not retreat without evident
discourtesy to her husbands guest.
Reluctantly she entered the room. and
the die was cast whose throwing meant
so much in the lives of all four there
present. the woman. the child and the
two men, with others whose fateS were
interviewer with theirs.
May Strickland's face was pale as
she entered the room, and a close OBJ
server might have seen her hands
twitching her handkerchief nervously.
Her husband at that moment was not
a keen watcher. His mind was too
intent on the pleasure of introducing
the wife who was the joy and pride of
his life and the man who had proved
himself so good friend. Was it not