The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-09-21

by bVSh' MI. w ilett, II JUST as
1 tell YOU" Sam was saying. 'I dunno
how ever he thought of il. I've been
noticin him all winter, fussin' and
fussin' with them gears. and once'n a
while I'd want to know what in time
he was tryin' to do
Charlie did most OF the work" said
Lem. "It 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 a half interest in this new
separator patent OF LENS. I'm goin'
to put up what moneys necessary to
start maxim few OF these attach
ments, then. If it grows too fast for
me"
Mr.. Willett's eyes twlnkled shrewdly.
IF 1t grows too fast, you may let in
little outside capital, eh?"
You said somethin', Mr.. willett,"
continued Sam. Gosh! Will 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-"
oh. that isn't quite true" said Mrs.
Willett. Francis has a 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-fif
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
or her companions and. with both her
own, held them close together; then
she suddenly bowed her head, and her
shoulders qulvered with a 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 look
at Charlie, whom he saw to be quite
as bewildered as himself. Mary Alice
looked up through a mist OF tears.
"I-just-couldn't help it." she said.
I'm so-hap-happy. Oh, Francis,
FRANCIS l knew you'd keep 1T. 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, Charlie?" asked
Francis.
Charlie smiled slyly. "Do you really
want me?" he asked.
We'll" replied Francis. "of course
you're always welcome, but-don't you
think the night air might-er@"
Yes" said Charlie, "I guess Il
might"
Francis and Mary Alice disappeared.
and Charlie Joined Mr.. wLlett, his ia
ther and Lem. Those who saw him
cross the room noted with affectionate
satisfaction the almost entire absence
OF the hating awkwardness I'm his gait.
Long ago he had discarded his riotous
yellow wealth OF hair, and now one
saw the splendid proportions Of the
shapely head. with its broad. thought
ful brow. His eyes, clear blue.
straightforward. frank, and usually
| shining with vigorous good will. held
you with a compelling light.
Charlie was sitting in the side yard.
working at some water-color sketches.
The summer wind fiuttered his sheets
as he worked. Hens pecked busily
about uttering small, contented.
| throaty sounds. Charlie looked up and
or across the fields to where his friends
the mountains. delicately tinted I'm the
light Of the setting sun, stood, opaline.
sentinels OF unchanging peace.
"Charlie-boy," called Martha from
the door "isn't that Mary Alice coming
up the hlll?"
They watched the girl approach and
charlie called good morning. Mary
Alice dropped down on the grass and
painted. She had a 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
cnt?"
"It's-it's for you" she said. T-f
had 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 Billy" said
Martha Hes always thinking OF
something to please people. why.
| Ch0rlie-bOy, it's n watch"
Sam took it and turned II over and
over. Then ne snapped open the case.
Here's some wrltin'." he said. "Trq
engraved here inside the case. II
ys-here, Marthy, you read it. II
can't"
Neither could Martha She handed
the watch to Mary Alice. fishing mean
while in her apron pocket FOR her hand.
kerchlef.
Mary Alice looked at the Inscription.
blinked, and then read. quite bravely.
TO LITTLE SIR GALAuAD
o.