Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-10-07

rage to bring the young man out to
his home, and Vivian accompanied him.
The girl was delighted to see his grow
Ing cheerfulness as he left Bronson be-
hind.
II am glad to get away from Bron-
son." he admitted to her. 81 am going
back, but sick soldier longs for his
home and not for the battle front"
One August day, early in the month,
George Caldwell was busy with his
ledger in the bank, when he heard
pleasant good morning" from some
up and responded, "Glad to see you.
Miss Joy. When did you get backY
Just this morning." answered Joy
Graham. II came over on the inter-
urban to look after few matters of
business. We are having very pleas
ant outing at the lake." 1t was the
custom for many. Of the residents of
Bronson to spend the heated months
In cottages at some Of the beau
tiful little lakes which dot that
part of southern Michigan. The Ora
hams had a cottage which was built
by the side of lake connected with
Bronson by an interurban electric rail-
road so that Mr.. Graham came back
| and forth to his office, and it was a
short trip for the family to return If
necessary.
Il suppose your father and mother
came with you?" Intercepted George
Caldwell.
"No, l came alone. Papa is in the
east with Roland trying to find new
editor for the paper. Ned Rowlands
has proved failure as you know"
1T was too bad your father had
quarrel with Mr.. Nelson. He was MAX
ing the Courier boom"
"How is Mr.. Nelson getting alongr
asked the girl quickly.
"He Is almost well again." responded
the other heartily. 'The fresh air of
the country and the hospitality Of the
Derwent home have worked wonders
with him"
"And the cheerful companionship Of
such girl as VIVIAN" laughed Joy
Graham.
"yivian has been very attentive to
, him." answered George Caldwell, with
an air of resignation.
"She doesn't seem to pay much atten-
ton to these stories that have been
going the rounds all over town." con.
/ tinued JOY. 'They are discussing Mr..
Nelson out at the lake. Some seem to
think that where there is so much
smoke there must be some fire."
"Those foolish stories are made up
of whole CLOTH" responded the young
banker angrily.
"But some people believe them" said
the girl. shaking her head. Even at
the lake number think that Mr.. Mel
son Is an adventurer, and understand
there is quite sentiment against him
in Bronson"
81 am getting real angry about the
treatment Mr.. Nelson has received"
said George Caldwell. II didn't like
the way he was able to catch vivian's
attention, but believe in fair play and
honest dealing. His enemies have
thrown so much mud that some of 1t
has stuck"
Il am glad to know that you have
confidence In him." said Joy Graham
earnestly.
"Of course we have confidence in
himr' exclaimed the young man ear
nestly. "Just last night number of
us had conference In regard to his
! ft,f,,ra opd VIC ara ooino m 600 that
he gets fair start i'm some other
place. 1t would seem to be unwise for
him to try to establish himself again
in Bronson"
"Do all his friends think he ought to
leave Bronson?" asked Joy Graham In
disappointed tone.
mo, no. Both DIR. Rutledge and Mr..
Townley think he ought to remain
here and fight his battle out to fin
ish."
| do you know what plans Mr.. Nelson
has been making for himselfT asked
the girl.
NO." responded the other. 81 saw
him the other day, and his only anxi-
ETY. was for the full recovery Of his
| health. That blow ON his head which
the policeman dealt him might have
| been disastrous, but we are now as
sured there will be no permanent Ill
| results"
II want you to take me out to Der
vents this evening, George" said the
girl little later, as the two friends
parted.
II shall be glad to do So" answered
the other, "and know Mr.. Nelson will
be delighted to see you."
Don't say anything to any one about
it," cautioned the girl. "Drive up for
| me at the house about o'clock"
At the appointed hour that evening
a very handsome, single seated mo-
torcar stopped before the Graham
home, and In few moments George
Caldwell and Joy Graham were speed
ing out Of Bronson into the country
1t was delightful August evening
and for good part of the way they
passed through the lovely wooded drive
| by the side Of the Bronson river. 1t
was not the nearest way to the Der.
went farm, but with his high powered
motorcar George Caldwell decided that
the longest way around was the
pleasantest way there"
As the two friends whirled along
they conversed on topics of interest to
them both; the prosperity of the Gen.
trail church under the administration of
DR.. Rutledge, the progress of reform In
Bronson. and the future fortunes of