Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-11
Joys COMING
sy MILDRED WHITE.
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Big Tom stood gazing absently
through the window of his crude Office
In the wood. His mother had distin
guished him by this name. from the
frail Tom, who was his father. Now
that both were gone. the faithful son
awakened bitterly to sense of his
own loneliness. With the CHEEKY
mother awaiting him each evening In
the neat cottage home. this busy life
among rough lumbermen had seemed
neither profitless nor dull. Big Tom
dreaded poignantly his evenings. He
wondered, IL he might not arrange to
leave the work here, and go TO q more
companlonable field in the city. But
whom could he trust 10 carry on his
great interests. which had grown to
remarkable SUGGEST No, the life which
he had been obliged to take up when
his fathers declining health made
work no longer possible. must still be
the life which would hold his fretting
spirit. And as he gazed with somber
eyes through the opening between the
trees. he beheid an unbelievable thing;
a girls figure advancing rapidly to-
ward him.
The girl. dropping her suit case be-
fore the ONCE door, and sounding q
tentative knock answered the question.
To Toms astonished stare. she gave
wlstful smile. III you please"
asked the wonder girl. will you direct
me to q hotel-or boarding houssr
she added at his evident glance OF
dismsy. II left the train at the last
stop. and have walked, searching upon
my way. The place is less populated
than thought"
Come In" said Big Tom. cordially.
Before this girls difsdence his self
consciousness vanished
"why did you come" Tom asked
abruptly.
The girls crystal clear eyes met
his frankly. ~ came to hide away
from q man" she replied. and | left
the train at the most isolated spot
could and. / hoped, "-impat'ently she
brushed the tears from her fringed
lids.-"to find work here. Stenogra-
ply perhaps, and support myself"
Big Tom whistled. You know your
own business OF course" he said. but
don't you think you'd better go back.
Surely there Is some other way.
This is the only way" the girl an
swered decidedly
If It's the only way" he said brisk
ly. land you are determined In 1t. why,
you may become my typist, this min
ute. I'll be almighty relieved to ind
one. Even In this wilderness I'm busy
man. And there's my mothers cot
tagc, all ready for you 10 keep house
IN. IL will he pleasant TO think or
YOU there. sort of keeping things go
ing"
And YOU" asked the girl breath
iessly. where Will YOU be-
"Why. right here" Mr.. Tom replied
eel bunk here now half the time.
So the plan worked out like happy
fairy tale, and the new arrangement
OF affairs ran smoothly, as AFFAIRS were
wont TO run. with Rig Toms planning
The girl babe him call her Joy he
cause she had put her sorrows behind
her" she said
His love for her grew to sort oi
reverence In Joy. WAS personihed al
the beauty and truth and purity oil
the hook women whom Tom had wor
shipped almost the only women
that he had cared 10 know. And ev
cry day, little Joy. singing about heI
hnnkS
cabin Office, grew more and more int
the very spirit Of her name. II wat
then that Rawlings OF the city END o
the business came out 10 the forest'
TO consult personally with Tom Here
ford. And when Rawlings faced Toms
little stenographer ne stanmered II
what he was saying and left the room
patiently perturhed. Big Tom
troubled eyes noted Joys sudden pal
lor. and when Rawlings had gone sh
came TO him with gesture or resie
nation. IL will have to leave you. Bii
Tom" she said YEARLY.
Rawlings is not the man yon ar
hiding from he asked sharply.
JOY shook her head. "He will SEM
the other man 70 find me" she toll
him.
Suddenly. she was sobbing
You don't understand. Tom dear,
she cried. "the man I ran away from
was my promised husband"
Instantly his arms released her, 80
cuSlngy his eyes held hers
Listen" the girl went on. II wa
for years secretary 10 wealthy won
an who loved and trusted me. Befor
she died. she begged me 10 marry he
only son. that | might guard her for
tune aud convert him from reckless
ness 10 wisdom. ! agreed. only whe
thought that he loved me- He wa
winningly attractive in Young girl
eyes. and | also thought oh Tor
how could | ever have thought -ths
cared for him: we agreed hefor
witnesses that we should hc Marie
as soon as the requirements of IN
Will were adjusted.
Dazedly Rig Tom turned 10 answe
4. the telephone When he replaced tn
4 receiver. he swung about and bel
y out his rrus
u Joy of my ne" cried Tom exullan
~. "ycu don't have Ia go back. Yo
are not going back. until YOU 90, q
my wife That was Rawlings !
called 10 say that the man YOU ra