Gilpin observer., 1920-12-23
Sixty Dollars a
Month and Board
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD

the davenport piled with fraternity
sofa pillows. "She's terribly ad-
vanced-thinks no man worth his salt
unless he earns his living by the
sweat of his manly brow. Take me-"
he illustrated ruefully. II want to
go muscalonge fishing in the Muskoka
this summer, but Kit says 'No-my
place is helping father on the farm.
He's short Of hclp-so that's where
you can address me, care of the r.
F. D."
"Maybe she's right. at that" grinned
Jack, his roommate, whereupon he be-
cushions. But, joking aside, Ken, I'll
admit rm-well, honestly gone over
her picture. I'd like to meet the
original"
"Youl What chance would you
stand. you bloated bondholder, you
dyed-in-the-wool old plutocrat? Why,
she'd give one look at your COrdovan
shoes, silk shirts and exclusive neck
wear-and get out her tracts on the
sins Of the wealthy. was home all
last summer, and I know!"
YOU uUu hHOW NY hCHcHe,
old thing" retorted Jack earnestly.
II don't intend to let her see me in
this offensive outfit. You say your
father is short of help. Let me go
down and apply for work. You tip
him Off to hire me, but keep mum
as to my real status. Miss Katherine
will see in me man who tolls and
who knows"
A week or SO later, Kenneth pre-
sented his father with a new "hand."
whom he vaguely explained as picked
up on the way" and Kenneth's father,
after one glance at the powerful frame,
the strength of which was not con-
cealed by extremely ill-fitting clothes.
hired him on the spot for $50 month
and board.
AS the days went by, Jack alter
nately cursed and blessed his job.
Viewed as stunt" it was proving
ergy, but considered in the light of an
opportunity to be near the most beau
tiful girl he had ever seen and to show
her the stuff that was in him, it
wasn't so bad. Mr.. Horton did not
hesitate to commend his reliability,
willingness and efficiency, and Jack Sc
cretly cherished the hope that some
report of 1t all reached Katherine
through her brother.
Just one worry had Jack. He wish
ed Katherine would not ride Sultan.
The horse was real devil, and Jack
had heard Kenneth warn Katherine
that he would cut up rough some day.
Sultan's brother, the Shah, was being
broken in by Mr.. Horton, and Jack,
watching the spirited creature rear
and buck beneath his rider, shuddered
at the power possessed and, luckily, SO
seldom appreciated, by that animal,
the horse. But Jack was scarcely in
position to join his protests with
those of the girls father and brother.
| His meetings with katherine had
been most casual and quite imper-
sonal. Nor had he observed on her
part any interest whatever in a man
who toiled. Then one day she came
down to the meadow where Kenneth
and his father and Jack were piling
the hayrack with sweet, sun-saturated
lege girls. who clamored to help and
then ride home on the load. Jack had
the pleasure of giving Katherine a
helping hand as she climbed to the
top. Then he settled down close by
the two men in front to make room
for the girls.
He was meditating on the disadvan-
tages of the position he was occupying
for the sake of a mad whim when his
thoughts were interrupted by scraps Of
conversation behind him.
"Well, your views have changed
Kit"
"To be sure" came the voice of the
girl he loved. THAT was just n pass
ing phase of my education. OF course,
l still think honest work hurts no
body, but l can see how wealth, and
the leisure 1t brings, has it's place In
the world too"
| Remember how you said you'd
er marry rich man?" teased some
body.
"Oh, forget the idiocies of my soph-
omore days" pleaded Katherine good
naturedly. Just let him show him
self now and you'd appreciate my
change of heart"
The inconsequential chatter con-
tInued along other channels, but be-
hind Mr.. Horizons unsuspecting back
Jack glared at Kenneth. Katherine
was no longer looking for II "toiler."
and If he chucked the bluff and 'fessed
up, as Kenneth repeatedly urged him
to do. he feared she would think him
nothing less than an idiot.
The following day Jack. bride on
arm. his course of action still unde-
cided. followed Mr.. Horton as the lat
ter went down to the south pasture to