The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-07-25

| Virginia. At last II caught up with
him and told him very briefly that his
I father. Mr.. Valentine Blaisdell, had
met with an accident, but was being
4 cared for by an old friend, Miss Esther
Peters, while the writer was endeavor-
ing to carry on his business 10 the best
OF her ability. On his-Mr. Roberts
return-she would be pleased TO fur
nlsh him with a statement Of the finan-
cial situation. II was signed Matilda
Peters"
Holy catsl" gasped ROBBERS Blais-
dell, poor old pa--laid up in the
clutches of two old maids, who will
probably run up pretty bill OF ex-
pense-hnancial situation, indeed"
And as another and worse thought
flashed over him, "Lordy. perhaps
they'll marry himi"
A delayed schedule on the railroad
brought Robert Blaisdells train into
the station nearest the village where
his father was still confined just three
hours late. As he was inqulring 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 IL, 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 II.
what makes you hire rig. any
way?" he suggested. Save your three
dollars and ride up along II you want
10 see Miss Esther. That wagon you
see up ahead is goin' TO the very house.
Belongs TO the tin-peddler, old Mr..
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 him-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 no
time telling her where she got off. This
was too good a chance to miss.
Matilda, driving contentedly home
hi-here-you, wait a minute"
She stopped. Robert Blalsdell, red
and hot from his pursuing race. Hoped
TO the front Of the cart. He, too,
stopped, and said not another word.
He took off his hat and painted. Ma
tilda waited. politely. She could see
that he was quite disturbed. "Don't
hurry" she said. you're awfully out
of breath"
81 beg your pardon" he gasped at
last. But the station agent said this
wagon was going-said IL was-said-
oh. darn it-rm Robert Blaisdell-may
ride up to see my father with your
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
ii. $50 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 a certain
neglected rural district. And they toid
him to go there In PHYS name and sell
his goods, so he came back very soop.
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, Mr.. 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. II don't
know but what I'll retire and turn the
cart over to her."
Miss Esther blushed at the look he
gave her. ''Tm going to tell him,
Esther" Mr.. Valentine went on. IF
he's got any eyes in his head, he
knows 1t already. Yes-Bob. she's go
ing to take care of me all the rest of
my days, and with Esther for a wife,
I don't much care whether the old leg
gets well or not. I shan't want to run
very far away from her. So, Bob, give
your mother-to-be kiss, and perhaps
you can kiss your new cousin as WELL"
"Oh, Mr.. valentinep And Matilda
was Off the porch In a flash, down
among the rose bushes. But not too
far away to miss what Robert was
saying.
"Cousin2 Not on your lifei Don't
you know first cousins can't marry In
this statei"