The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-30
Copyright. 1918, by the Mcclure News
paper SyndicateD
CHAPTER NO. q.
An invitation.

NItAT 1 Ell NJ. IL
An invitation.
And that was a pretty bad night for
Freddie. He couldn't sleep. He tossed
from side to side on his bed in his
little hotel room. His body was so
weary that it twitched. But his brain
went on endIessly, Il hundred miles a
minute, with thoughts that led no
where; only whipped his mind to froth
as a rushing stream is whipped above
great rocks in its path. And like a
child he wanted his mother.
Doll baby" he whispered to her in
the dark, az though she might hear
him. Doll baby-l need you"
AS a matter Of fact, he would have
thrown up the whole business and gone
home had 1t not beer for his pride.
His father had put such high hopes
into this, his sons first venture in
the world Of work. He couldn't dis
appoint the Dad!' OF course ot-no
after all these years Of love and trust.
And yet, he told himself, it would be
very wonderful to be home; to be near
his mother again. ne had completely
forgotten. Of course, that the last few
weeks before ne left had been as rest
less as any since then. Now he only
could remember the peace Of his boy
hood. 1t seemed to him If he just could
go back, that same calm surely must
be waiting Tor him at home; a aim as
definite and as safe as his mothers
arms. And SO. in spite of himself, his
longing showed in a letter. 1t made
Mrs. Mason look up quickly from it,
at the breakfast table, and seek MIR.
Mason's gaze.
"Freddie's letter sounds just a little
-homesick, dear she said. Couldn't
couldn't he come home? He's been
away an awful long while" she added
wistfully.
Mr.. Mason shook his head firmly at
her. although he smiled.
THE trips just beginning to do him
good, sweetheart" he told her. You
want him to be a man, don't you? You
don't want Freddie to me a mollycod-
die? What If the boy is a little home
sickH DO him good. It's better to let
him fight 1t out, dear. He'll be all
the stronger for it,
So-that door was shut. Meanwhile,
in a little town OF some 5000 people,
Freddie was trying manfully to meet
tho day. One silver lining to his
cloud was that his ~sleepless nights left
just about enough intelligence left
properly to fill Ms order books. He still
ached-but not so keenly; not so sharp
ly. He felt utterly weary and worn.
And-of course, he looked it. AS he
bent above his book with his fountain
pen In his hand. an elderly man brought
hissgaze to bear upon him more keen
"Gr-rump!" he coughed as the result
of his observation. Freddie raised
tired and clrcled eyes to him.
Yes, SIR he asked politely-"Did
you speak,"
They were at the back of the elderly
mans grocery store. Freddie sat on
a box with his order hook on top of a
barrel before him. The elderly man,
as it happened, had known Freddie's
father nearly all his life. And so:
First time you've been on the road
for Mason & Coz he said, Well
too, especially across the forehead. Yes,
sir, you look like your father. my boy
| you look like Mr.. Mason. Regular chin
off h old block! Well-you ought to
be proud! A finer, squarer man to deal
with, | never met! Follow behind him,
my lad follow behind him and you'll
never take a wrong turn"
This. warmed Freddie's heart. He
flushed.
Yes, sir he said. II know. | want
to try to be lust like my father"
The older nan put his hand on Fred.
dies shoulder tSc an instant. Then
"And what might 1t you be doing viii
| erick Mason's Son wouldn't be sittins
around with a lot Of ~loafers, smoking
and that?' his look grew keener. "Yor
wouldn't be fooiing around late o
nights with a lot Of silly girls?" ht
| suggested.
Freddie's look did not falter.
NO, sir" he said, II have talked
with some Of the statesmen, of course
but I don't drink. And | d~on't-don't-'
he stumbled and stopped.
o course not" agreed the elderly
man quickly. Il just thought as per,
haps you looked a little peaked. Blu
you're all right, are your"
The kindly interest was a little too
much. Freddie gulped. Then h
cleared his throat.
"l,m-Im a little bit lonely" he said
Il was never on the road before"
He WAS not looking at the elderly maj