The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-15

who really paid Ii. Nh. Johnson"
~ IT. exploded the latter. 4Doyou
think 1 came over here with my|dangh,
terito make fool Of myselfsr
T=I-renlly. I beg your pardon,
stammered Smith! But naturaflyI
thought you knew when your own ar.
Curtis paid the noter
"1ts all right, Mr.. Smith, p muttered
johnson. stroking his brow. Come.
Edna. let US co.
Johnson was sim neryously ciutchlng
his daughters hand as they passed
through the outer Offices of the Acme.
johnson Grocery company.
Just before he ushered the girl into
the private ONCE he ordered the Office
boy to send in Mr.. Curtis at once. The
culprit entered with his usual placid
afr.
Hear anything about the sfarden
note:" asked Johnson leadingly..
Eyes. SIR" replied Curtis dryly. .The
note has been paid.n Is
"oh, 1t has. has it?' asked the chief
sarcastically. "H6w do you know that
since you haven't been to the bank to.
day:"
The smile on the confidential young
mails face was serene.
"I've been at the bank. Mr.. Johnson"
he said calmly. II went there for the
purpose Of paying the Marden note"
"And yon paid it:''
Il paid 1t"
you paid it" repeated johnson.
riled by the others nonclialance. I'VE.
know you paid It. but why? You-in
heavens name. Why did you pay it?
There is something behind all this.
and want to know It"
There Is n great deal behind 1t. Mr..
Johnson" admitted Curtis cheerfully..
my lifc's happiness is behind It.
Grace Marden has promised to become
my wife"
"And YOU thought you would do a
very wise thing by paying her fathers
note:" demanded Johnson.
II thought So" replied the young
man With Just the slightest note of
doubt in his voice. The elder ,nan
turned abruptly to his desk.
~ am sure" soothed Ills daughter.
THAT you are to be congratulated. Mr..
Curtis. And your paying the note was
very noble net"
"Thank you" replied Curtis sheep.
ishly as lie took the dainty hand she
had extended.
Ungallantly and ungratefully. he
wished the radiant young woman
showcring him with appreciation
would suffer him TO get away or-bet,
ter yet-would depart herself aud leave
him to have 1t out with her imperious
hcartlcss father alone.
But suddenly Johnson rose to his
feet. The young assistants worried
expression gave way to triumphant
grin at sight Of the changed counte-
nance Of his chief. for the good. old
fighting CLEAN shone in those eyes once
more. johnson handed the young man
check lie had written.
Nov, listen here. Curt" he said
sharply. Curtis knew the tone and
hearkened attcntlvcly. ..This Is an or.
der. and il It isn't carried out to the
letter I'll fire YOU" Johnson's gray
eyes softened as be continued: "Curt.
you have put your good self In fix.
Bully Johns daughter Is too proud to
stnnd for what YOU have just done.
Don't know the girl? Now. boy, you
go over to the bank and stop that foo.
deal You Just made. Now, you listen
to mc!" as Curtis made gesture of
protest. Listen to sense. will you,
even IL you are In love! You go over
to the bank and do as say. Then you
come back here with that abominable
note. And then It's my move. I'll
write Marden a letter. agreeing 10 ex-
tend that Internal note OF his another
four months. I'll tell Itinerary
thing-changed> my mind or something.
Well. never mimi what tell him:
that's none Of your business nor"
turning TO his daughter, who had
laughed audibly. '.any Of yours either.
madam. That saves the girls pride
ana relieves the old mans anxiety.
Now. listen to me, you two-two-weil.
never mind" for Edna had laughed If.
reverently again. II want you to know
this much. pay the S5.0o0-do you
get TINT? I-Glenwish Johnson-and
no other living man, or woman either!
Now. Curt. scoot!'
Curtis having "scooted." father and
daughter faced each. other with a new
and better understanding.
II am so proud of you she muir
INJURED. Glen johnson caught the tears
In her voice even before he saw them
on her cheeks.
"You mustn't cry about It, grille" he
said tenderly.
But she did cry about It, while her
happy father held her very close to bis
breast. for he knew that every tear she
shed was token of her new love and
reverence for himself.
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