The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-10-14

Copyright. 1920, Western Newspaper Union)
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 q 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 more
companionable field In the city. But
whom could he trust to carry on his
great interests, which had grown to
remarkable success? 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 beheld an unbelievable thing |;
a girls figure advancing rapidly to-
ward him.
The girl. dropping her suit case be-
fore the Office door, and sounding a
tentative knock answered the question.
To Toms astOnlshed stare. she gave
a wistful smile. IF you please"
asked the wonder-girl, twill you direct
me to hotel-or boarding house"
she added at his evident glance OF
dismay. 81 left the train at the last
stop, and have walked, searching upon
my way. The place Is less populated
than 1 thought"
"Come In" said Big Tom, cordially
Before this girls diffidence his self
censciousness vanished.
"why did you conner" Tom asked
abruptly.
The girls crystal clear eyes met
his frankly. 81 came to hide away
from a man." she replied, "and left
the train at the most isolated spot I
could find. hoped, "-lmpatiently 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"
"Ths is the only way" the girl an
swered decidedly.
"If it's the only way" he said brisk
ly, land you are determined in it, why.
you may become my typist, this min
ute, I'll be almighty relieved to find
one. Even in this wilderness I'm a busy
nan. And there's my mothers cot
rage, all ready for you to keep house
in. 1t will be pleasant to think OF
you there, sort of keeping things go
ing."
"And your" asked the girl breath
lessly "where will you be?'
"Why. right here" Mr.. Tom replied.
Il 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 Big Toms planning.
The girl babe him call her Joy" BE
cause she had put her sorrows behind
her" she said.
His love for her grew to a sort OF
reverence. In JOY, was personlf1ed all
the beauty and truth and purity OF
the book women whom Tom had wor-
shipped; almost the only women
that he had cared to know. And ev-
cry day, little Joy, singing about her
neat cottage, or over the books In the
cabin office, grew more and more into
the very spirit OF her name. 1t was
then that Rawlings of the city end Of
the business came. out to the forests
to consult personally with Tom Here
ford. And when Rawlings faced Toms
little stenographer he srammered In
what he was saying and left the room
patiently perturbed. Big Toms
troubled eyes noted joys sudden pal
Tor. and when Rawlings had gone she
came to him with gesture Of resig-
nation. 81 will have to leave you, Big
rom," she said YEARLY.
drawings is not the man you are
hiding from?" he asked sharply.
Joy shook her head. 'He will send
the other man to find me-" she told
him.
Suddenly, she was sObbing.
"You don't understand, Tom dear"
she cried, "the man ran away from,
was my promised husband"
Instantly his arms released her. ac-
cusingly his eyes held hers.
Listen" the girl went on. II was
FOR years secretary to wealthy WON
an who loved and trusted me. Before
she died, she begged me to marry her
only son. that might guard her for
tune and convert him from reckless
ness to wisdom. i agreed. only when
thought that he loved me. He was
winningly attractive In a young girls
eyes, and I also thought-Oht Tom
how could / ever have thought-that
cared for him: we agreed before
witnesses that we should be married