Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-10-07
Loving
Plotters
By GENEYIEYE uLMAR
"a. 1920. Western Newspaper Union

his Office, peered into his private room,
found it vacant and turned her gaze
upon his stenographer, Irene Blandon,
with some wonderment. The latter, a
handkerchief to her eyes aud sobbing
low, had not noticed Eer appearance.
The sheet of paper on her typewriter
bore evidence of tears.
"Why. Miss Blandon !" spoke the Wis
itor gently, whatever is the trouble7
You are crying"
Irene lifted woeful face to the
lady. II couldn't help it, she spoke.
"You must know how things are here
and am so sorry for Mr.. Dale"
perhaps 1 do not entirely know
how things are here, DEAR" said Mrs.
Dale. "Of course Morton las told me
of his misfortune in trusting u client
with half his capital and the man in
vesting it unfortunately and no chance
Of recovering it. But Morton is young,
bright and honorable, the world is all
before him and it has greatly distress
ed me to see how hard he has taken
it,"
"Mr. Dale was under a severe strain
before that came" announced Irene.
"He put through very creditable deal
and counted on expanding his bust
ness when this loss came along. Oh,
Mrs. Dale! can you not induce him To
seek and find what alone can save
him-an entire abandonment OF buSl-
ness cares for a spell? He is not i'll,
but mentally depressed. He has lost
his nerve, as the men on change say,
and he gets gloomier and more dis
couraged every day. Perhaps you Won
der at my feeling over him, but ! came
to. the city knowing nobody ana if
were his own sister he could not have
been more kind and helpful to me.
Every time / write to tie family at
home, I am sure they bless him for the
interest he has taken in me and the
good position he has given me-"
"You are sweet, dear girl" said
Mrs. Dale, her own eyes dimming.
'"Tell me what you think we had ought
to do to win him from his apathy and
gloom"
"He must give up business for a
time, that is sure" answered sensible,
practical Irene He las a fine, sensi-
tive nature and he is getting thin and
tired all of the time. He needs build
ing up, and oh if he would only con-
sent to do down to Waltham, where
came from, and let mother and the
folks look after him and think of moth
ing but rest and recreation, he would
surely come back with renewed health
4 and courage"
| The sincerity and earnestness of the
young girl Charmed the anxious moth
er. From the suggestion Irene made
grew definite plans. Morton Dale
agreed to them, though with little in
terest in them, it seemed, and one day
left for months vacation at Holly
wood farm. 1t was not until he got
1 away from the turmoil and CRIME of
the city and the train glided along
/ past fresh vernal scenes and the flow
| er perfumed air came in revivngy at
the open car window, that his perturb-
| ed mind began to calm down. In u
| gentle, polite way those two loving
plOtters had spent a week in winning
him to their suggestion. Now feeling
how reliably Irene would attend to his
interests and recalling that she was
sacrificing her own vacation visit to
the folks at home for his sake, a ten
der gratitude expanded his soul tenn
porarily clouded by his own selfish and
exaggerated worries.
"She Is like my mother-all gold"
Morton told himself, and when he ar
| rived at Waltham he soon decided that
there were others, too, of the home
spun, but heartsome Blandon family
who were eligibles to be quoted in the
/ same precious metal category.
Irene's two sisters were In evidence
occupying seat in the roomy old
sitting room, pictures Of health and
holiness. The brother, big-hearted
fellow, always joking and laughing,
hailed Morton as bosom friend
When they reached the pleasant old
fashioned farmhouse Mrs. Blandon
welcomed their guest as an own SON
The guest partook Of the most enjoy
able meal of weeks and slept with a
smile on his lips, as through his
dreaming fancies ran shadowy echoes
of some joke Wilfred Blandon mar
rated, or fugitive thought of the
brave little helper he lad left in
charge of his business craft came to
his mind.
Bluff, hearty Wllfred put himself
out to bring a more cheerful state OF
feeling to the invalid, and was abet.
ted by trusty accomplices. He even
had the scale at the general store man
ipulated, so that whenever Morton
came in to get weighed he was found
to be gaining nearly a pound daily
One day some ruttians attacked 4
cradle money. Morton dispersed then
In way that won from the rescued
victim admiring commentator for his
spryness and strength.
At the end or month, completely
renovated, Morton Dale came home
the picture of jolly good health. He
listened with glowing eyes as his moth
er recited how Irene had not only
cared for the old business. but had
secured considerable new, and through
her labors there was hope of getting
back some of the lost capital.
II can never repay all she has done
for me-" spoke Morton gratefully
"Why has she taken such an interest
in my affairs, mother?"
"Why?" replied Mrs. Dale promptly