The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-09-15

how ever he thought of it. I've been
noticin' him all winter. fussin' and
fussin' with them gears. and Queen
while I'd want to know what In time
he was tryin' to do"
"Charlie did most of the work" said
Lem. at was his brains
.And say. Mr.. willett, | haven't. told
anybody yet; but beginnin' today | and
Lem are partners. share and share
alike. We fixed up the papers. and he
gets half my farm and dairy business.
while l get half interest in this new
separator patent of Lens. I'm goin'
to put up what moneys necessary to
start maxim a few of these attach
ments, then, IL it grows too fast for
me"
( Mr.. Wlllett's eyes twinkled shrewdly.
"If it grows too fast, you may let in
little outside capital, eh?'
"You said somethin'. Mr.. Willett."
continued Sam. Gosh! VIII you
listen to how fast those womenfolks
are talkin'? Can you beat it?'
"You see." Mrs. Brown was explain
ing to Martha Thomas and Mrs. John
Willett, ..of course anything that Fran
els recommended would be just about
right with Mary Alice
1T would be about right with all Of
u.s." said Martha Thomas. "Sam says
he heard someone say the other day
that Mr.. Stacey has turned over almost
the whole management Of the store to
Francis since he's been made a part
ner---''
"0h, that isn't quite true," said Mrs.
Willett. Francis has lot to do with
what he calls the merchandising end
but Mr.. Stacey handles all the finances.
You couldn't expect anybody with
Francis experience, or lack Of 1t, to-
Look here, Mary Alice" said Fran.
els, ''the two years are up" He held
his watch toward her, and she saw
that 1t marked exactly eight-fifteen.
The girl was sitting on a. big leather.
covered divan, Francis on one side OF
her, Charlie on the other.
Mary Alice caught a hand OF each
of her companions and, with both hel
own, held them close together: then
she suddenly bowed her head. and hel
shoulders quivered with little sob.
"Mary Alice, Mary Alice" protested
Francis. don't do that, dear. why.
what's the-what's the matter?"
He cast an appealing. helpless looh
at Charlie. whom he saw to be quite
as bewildered as himself. Mary Alice
looked up through mist of tears.
'T-just-couldn't help It." she said
"T'm so-hap-happy. Oh, Francis
Francis. knew you'd keep 1t. l never
doubted you for a minute. Now can't
you see it has been-better? l.
There. your mothers looking at me
Let's go out on the porch a few min
utes"
Come along. too. CharIie2" asked
Francis.
Charlie smiled slyly. do you really
want me?" he asked
WELL" replied Francis. "of course
you're always welcome, but-don't you
think the night air might--er-"
"Yes,' said Charlie, 81 guess II
might"
Francis and Mary Alice disappeared,
and Charlie Joined Mr. Willett, his ia.
ther and Lem. Those who saw him
cross the room noted with affectionate
satisfaction the almost entire absence
of the hating awkwardness in his gait
Long ago he had discarded his riotous
yellow wealth Of hair. and now one
saw the splendid proportions of the
eshapely head, with it's broad, thought
full brow. His eyes, clear blue,
straightforward. frank, and usually
shining with a vigorous good viii, held
you with a compelling light
=
Charlie was sitting in the side yard,
working at some water-color sketches.
The summer wind luttered his sheets
as he worked. Hens pecked busily
about uttering small, contented,
throaty sounds. Charlie looked up and
off across the fields to where his friends
the mountains, delicately tinted in the
light Of the setting sun, stood. opaline,
sentinels of unchangfng peace.
"Charlie-boy." called Martha from
the door. isn't that Mary Alice coming
up the hill?'
They watched the girl approach and
Charlie called good morning. Mary
Alice dropped down on the grass and
panied. She had small. plain wooden
box in her hand.
"Hullo, Mary Alice" said Charlie.
whats your great rush? What's that
in your hand-another wedding pres
ent?"
''It's-it's for you." she said. ell
had a letter from Doctor Billy, in
Belgium, and present from him-the
dearest piece of embroidery-and this
was with it."
She passed the little box to Charlie.
while Martha and Sam looked on,
mildly curious
Just like that Doctor BLY, said
Martha. Hes always thinking OF
something to please people Why,
Charlie-boy. it's watch