The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-08-21
The Bonus
B. T. 3. ALDERso ON

b. ]. b. ALOE1<SON ..,
Copyright. 1919. b. Western Newspspse unioa)
Twice Walton Gresham had met Miss
Luella Tyron. The 6rst time he had
scarcely Joined In the general conver-
sation Of pleasant chatty coter1e Of
young people. He was so enthralled
with her gracious ways and rare beau
ty that he could only sit and drink In
her loveliness. She seemed to like him
greatly at their second meeting and
Walton left the elegant mansion of
his employer, John Tyron, treading on
air. That Miss Tyron was beautiful
and probably an heiress meant nothing
to him. he loved her for herself
alone. f5
Then came, not the evaporation Of
his lofty dreams, but total demoraliza-
ton of the same. The chief clerk in
the business establishment of Tyron 4
Co. sent such shower of cold water
over his aspirations that they seemed
incapable Of recovering from the
shock.
Hear you've been twice up to the
house Of the boss" spoke this individ.
ual. PUT peg there. Don't cross
the danger limit"
"Why, what do you mean2" interro-
gated Walton.
"Just this: Three times and out.
Miss Tyron is inclined to adhere to her
own preferences, but Mr.. Tyron has
his own ideas as to a son.in-law. Two
likely young fellows, and both travel.
ing statesmen like yourself, got going
too often to the Tyron mansion. They
were dropped from the pay roll sum-
marily."
II see," nodded Walton. and went
away disconsolate and perturbed. He
tried to forget Miss Tyron.
Walton managed to live without a
broken heart amid engrossing road
work. In reality he was constantly
dreaming Of making q great selling
record, and did so. He had never been
SO successful and he anticipated with a
good deal of satisfaction the liberal
bonus which the firm annually award
ed It's higher employees.
Reckoning up the snug sum that
would await him, Walton was getting
ready to terminate his trip at the end
Of the season, when he received q
startler, as he expressed it later, a d.
rect blow between the eyes. A tele-
gram arrived:
Full need of your extending your
trip thirty days. Regular. bonus will
be passed until next year. This Is con-
fdential."
1.-THE mischief" commented Walton
in dismay. 1T can't be possible that
the house is weakening!"
Yet that was the suggestion Of the
disappointing telegram. Walton kept
his own counsel. His heart was not
now fully in his work; still he rolled in
some good orders. The thirty days
had nearly passed by when he was con-
fronted with a second staggerer.. 1t
was q letter from an attorney In his
home town announcing the death of a
wealthy relative who had left large
estate in which he was a beneficiary
ITO the extent Of twenty-five thousand
dollars.
1t was natural that Walton should
pay exclusive attention for the time be-
ing to this unexpected legacy. He
spent week away from business, ad-
| vising headquarters Of the fact. The
legacy was paid in cash as directed by
the testator and Walton left the ex-
ecutor with certified check in his
! pocket.
He arrived in the city at nine o'clock
! in the evening. His way to his hotel
led by the establishment of Tyron &
Co. His curiosity was aroused as he
! noticed light in the Office.
Walton peered through street win
| dow. Mr.. Tyron sat at his desk. He
looked wan, worried, distracted. He
was gazing vacantly into space.
| Abruptly he stretched out his arms
and his head fell across them in an
apparent state Of collapse.
There's trouble brewing, that's
sure!" reflected Walton. Maybe Mr.
Tyron is ill.," and he shook the Office
door. His employer started up rather
weakly, it seemed, advanced to the
door, made out Walton through its
glass panel and admitted him. Their
he unsteadily resumed his seat Wal
ton sank to a chair opposite him.
$50 you're in of the road?" spoke
Tyron, casually.
Eyes, sir, noticed light here and
dropped in. Mr.. Tyron," he added, i'm
PEELED to the outburst by the actions
and appearance Of his employer, whom
he really liked and respected, us there
some trouble In the business? II there
is. let me help you, If can"
| Il fear you can't do that in any prac'
teal way" answered Mr.: Tyron. "You
may as well know, however, that II
the house fails to meet pressing OBJ
legation by this time tomorrow we shall
! have to close the doors. Collections
{ are slow. our credit at bank is fully
! employed a rival house has bought w
IL