The Prescott daily news., 1918-05-16

entine's harvest of dollars, letter she had written for him before starting was having almost as varied travels as she. It was following MT. Robert Biaisdell on his annual trip through virginia. At last 1t caught up with nm and told him very briefly that his rather, MT. Valentine Blaisdell, had met With an accident, but was being | cared Tor by an old friend, Miss Esther Peters, while the writer was endeavor- Ing to carry on his business to the best or her ability. On his-Mr. Roberts return-she would be pleased to fur nlsh him with statement of the finan- ciai situation. It was signed Matilda Peters"
 Holy cats!" gasped Robers Blais- dell, poor old pa-laid up in the clutches of two old maids, who will probably run up pretty bill of ex- pense-financial situation, indeed" And as another and worse thought flashed over him, 'LOrdy, perhaps they'll marry him."
 A delayed schedule on the railroad brought Robert Blaisdell's train into the station nearest the village where his father was still confined just three hours late. As he was inuuiring about a conveyance to take him to Miss Esther Peters house, a peculiar-look, Ing wagon drove by. He was standing so that he did not see 1t, and his men. tai state precluded his hearing any. thing so common as wagon wheels or horses hoofs. The station agent, who did not like the livery man, saw it.
 What makes you hire rig any. way?" he suggested. Save your three dollars and ride up along if you want to see Miss Esther. That wagon you see up ahead Is goln' to the very house Belongs to the tin-peddler. old MT Valentine. He got terrible spill bout six weeks ago and he's been laid up at Esther's house ever since. She's takin care of fhim-and-well he didn't waste much time takin' that advice" he fin ished to the empty air.
 For Robert Blaisdell was racing up the dusty road after his fathers wagon, now in the hands of that money-grabbing old hen; he'd lose nc time telling her where she got off. This was too good chance to miss.
 Matilda, driving contentedly home ward, heard the hoarse shouts. "Hi- hi-here-you, wait minute"
 She stopped. Robert Blaisdell, red and hot from his pursuing race, loped to the front of the cart. He, too. stopped, and said not another word. He took off his hat and panted. Ma tilda waited, politely. She could see that he was quite disturbed. Don't hurry" she said. You're awfully out of breath"
 q beg your pardon" he gasped at last. But the station agent said this wagon was going-said 1t was-said- oh, darn it-Tm Robert Blaisdell-may I ride up to see my father with you?"
 He wondered who this pretty girl was that was helping out that old Ma tilda thing as they drove along the shady roads. Not that he knew the roads were shady-he knew only that the girl had yellow hair-real hair, not bleached stuff-and brown eyes that were straightforward and friend ly, and a lovely white skin-and, oh. yes. there were three little freckles right by her nose. And he hoped she lived near Miss Esther Peters.
 She was telling him about the acci- dent. She seemed to know lot about it. "So Miss Esther's taking care of him, Is she?" he replied at last. I'm sure that's very kind of her. And shall see Miss Matilda. too? She wrote me this letter"
 The girl turned and looked at him. She laughed. "You're looking at her now" she said. I'm Matilda"
 Robert could stay only two days that first time. But he went back to the main office and told them about the crying needs of his wares in certain neglected rural district. And they told him to go there in pity's name and sell his goods, so he came back very soon And again and again-for broken hip does not mend easily-especially when the bones are not as young as they once were.
 When, in July, MT. Valentine was able to sit on the porch, Robert came again, and found the three engaged in the financial situation"
 Bob" said his father, "this girl has enlarged the business. Her receipts for the last three months are more than mine were year ago. "I dOn'I