The Harrison times., 1917-09-08
FORCING INTEREST
BY SUSAN e. cLAGETT.

OUT INTO tDe EulHeIlus uuThuchS lhcie
was so heavy a downpour ii seemed as
II all the waters in the heavens had
been collected in one vast bucket and
overturned upon the little mill town.
She watched the sweep Of rain with
dismay, hesitating TO brave the on
slOught '-~--~>---~----'------
"Y6u had better wait until ii holds
up. This cannot last long" cool,
pleasant voice said from out the shad-
ow at her back. AS the man spoke he
was thinking of talk he had had with
his father some days before, and its
consequences.
"How is It that Richard Pendle-
toms girl is working in the miliT'
he had asked the older man.
Old Tom Daily flicked the ash from
his cigar and paused quite a time be-
fore answering.
"Why?" he had asked at length.
"She seems out of place."
"If she has to make her living /
fancy she is doing it in the way she
best can. You have charge of the de.
partment. Isn't her work satisfac-
tOry?"
Perfectly. l was only wondering
why she had to make her living"
"There was a slump in certain Sc
curities and all Dick PendletOn saved
from the wreck was that cottage on
the edge of town where the girl and
her mother lived. Then, to make mat.
ters worse, the shock killed him."
Couldn't you have done better by
the girl than put her in the MILF"
'T tried, son. But, my boy, there is
a pride that will not accept help un'
less it be given in the form of work.
It was best for her to stay in her home
town with her mother, so / gave her
such employment as I could. / would
gladly have done more"
:. Tom swung himself out Of the room,
An hour later he was ransacking the
town to find something to make Mar
tha Pendleton think. Rosesi There
were none. Books and candy seemed
too ordinary medium with which to
approach her. At last, seized by an
inspiration, he wrote TO her, and this
was his letter: -----~-~s~a~r'~-''
Martha Pendeton, up to now you
have never given me thought. From
now on, for week, am going to COM
pei your interest by writing to you ev'
cry day. Just a line. Unfortunate
ly, have never dabbled in CORE
spondence. Now / wish that / had,
It would make it easier for me in this
determination to draw your thoughts
in my direction. -
"I cannot give you longer than a
week because I hold you too close In
my heart to wait longer. You will
have to think of me, dear. You will
not be able to help it, because / am
only going to sign myself, One Who
Cares"
= Every day for the week he had sent
a letter. Sometimes it was closely
written, sometimes but line, but each
evening when the girl reached her
home the big white envelope was lying
upon the hall table.
Now, as she stood In the mill door
staring out into the drenching rain, her
umbrella turned inside out from her
first attempt to battle with the wind,
she turned perplexed eyes upon the
young fellow standing near.
81 have waited until I can wait nc
longer, Mr.. Daily, Mother will be
alarmed"
"You will have to wait until it holds
I'D" he replied "Come into the office,
"a Is pleasanter there than here" He
,Athe way, touching the electric
En- and throwing the room into bril-
0 light. "Sit here in fathers chair,
Miss Pendeton. Fate has taken a
hand in affairs tonight and II want
to talk to you"
She turned to him in some surprise,
"You know dad pretty WELL do you
not?"
"He has been very kind to me-" she
answered simply.
"Hes that kind" Tom took a deep
breath-T want you to go to the par.
sonage with me before you return
home"
The girl had risen and was looking
at him with crimsoned cheeks. "Just
what do you mean, Mr. DallyT"
Now that the die was cast Tom re-
gained sembance Of confidence.
"What I have been telling you for a
week past. ! couldn't go to your home
without creating gossip here in the
mill, and didn't wish to subject you
to that Chance has brought about
our meeting earlier than I expected"
He fumbled in his pocket. 81 have the
license, Martha. You have your hat
and the sky IS clearing. Are you
ready"
For an appreciable instant the girl
hesitated.
81 was ready the night I received
your first letter, Tom" Then she
laughed. "You dear l have been ia.
mlliar with your handwriting for
months and months. Your father was
very proud of your college letters and
always brought them over for mother