Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-06-18
NEIL HAS THE OFFER OF TWO
POSITIONS
CHAPTER CXXIII

A FIER Mr.. Frederick left
"a tidied up, Neil insisting upon
drying the dishes. Then we sat in the
living room talking of our guest, his
kindness, and the feeling of security
he had left behind as far as the i'm
mediate future was concerned.
Neil had told HMM reply to his
questions-that it had taken every
cent we had in the world to pay our
debts. We were poorer than when as
boy and girl we started out together.
We had worn our clothes until now
was really shabby, although I had
insisted that Neil be properly dressed
because of his position. We lived in
a rented house, not even owning the
furniture. We were both over thirty
years old, and save for his unhappy
experiences Neil had nothing to show
for the years of hard work. When I
thought of this l wondered that he
was as cheerful as he was; that he
did not more often give way to dis
enlargement.
"What are you going to do now,
still live out here?" Mr.. Frederick
asked.
'Yes, Bah likes it, it is good for
Robert, and we can live more cheaply.
Quite a consideration"
"Have you decided what you will
do?" I looked in amazement from
one to the other. Was Neil to lose
his place with Mr.. Frederick? / was
soon enlightened. Mr.. Frederick had
seen my look of surprise and added:
Hasn't he told you Barbara? Chase
has offered him fine position at
a much larger salary than the posi-
ton with me warrants. My resour-
ces have been pretty well drained,
and my western interests have suf-
fered by my long absence-he was
one of the governments dollar a
year men-I should like to meet
Chase's figures, but can't"
eyes, l have decided. l said moth
ing to Bah because there was moth
ing to say. l shall remain with you
as long as you can find place for
me-"
''Thank you, Forbes. never need
ed faithful service as do now. Such
service may mean the saving of my
fortune-what is left, and my bust
ness. | know of no one else whom
could leave in charge. / shall have
to depend as entirely upon you for
this eastern end as have during the
war. NV time must be spen# on the
coast. I am almost ashamed to offer
you the salary I have decided l can
pay at the present. It's mighty little
considering how you have shaved for
me the past two years. :,
''Not entirely for you," Neil smll7
ingly replied. ounce Sam was my en-
ployer too, and he urged me on you
know"
"Can YOU live on five thousand a
year for a time until l can get my
affairs back on a paying basis-pay-
ing for me-" He looked from one to
the other of us, as if too might
have something to say.
81 both can and will. And Mr.
Frederick 1 never have been able to
tell Won one half of how grateful
am to YOU, to express my feelings for
what YOU have done for us. l am
not going to try now. But if you had
offered me one thousand l shoulo
have taken it and remained with
you"
az believe it Forbes. Although you
aren't being quite fair to yourself IN
sticking to me. Chase offered HIM
ten thousand dollars, Barbara" ,
n gasped. Anton Chase was one OF
y the big manufacturers of the country
That he had offered Neil, man VINO
had been accused of being dishonest
only few years before, a position OF
trust proved how thoroughly Men had
rehabilitated himself in the business
world That he had said nothing to me
of the offer proved how truly ne
recognized the help Frederick mao
given him, and his determination to
prove his gratitude.
"Aren't YOU proud of your nus
band?" he continued lightly, the sit
nation was becoming tense with feel
ing, "I should be if I were in your
Mace But you must talk it over with
him Barbara. 1t will mean quite Z
difference to you as well as to him.
he added without giving me time tc
reply to his question
"indeed am proud Of him. And