Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-04-13

pace IN the spring and summer when
ever you have any spare time ana
pick berries and fruit. Anybody can
do that, and we always have more
work than we can find men to do il.
You don't mind because | suggested Il,
do your"
why, not in the least" His smile
showed that the proposition both
pleased and amused him. BESIDES.
I'm not really moving away-that is,
not far away"
1T isn't as If you would be doing
II for strangers" Helen explained.
"My father and brothers and unces
and grandfatherS back as far as any
body can remember have gone to Or
TON"
but ! wouldn't want to meet them
while | was picking berries and cher
ries and things I'd only do 1t on
condition that they didn't see me"
That could be arranged beauti-
fully soothed the girl, "They have
given me charge Of the farm When
I'm not busy collecting pledges for
Orton I'm out in the country inspect
ing crops and trees and pigs and
things, Really. Pm quite a farmer"
Arrangements having been made for
this Orton alumnus to report for work
at her country place the third Satur-
day afternoon in May for strawberry
picking, Helen started away.
Co.
whole days during the week the young
man reported for work at the Granger
estate.
One warm day in August, during
peach picking. Helen was not at hand
when her fruit picker arrived; but he
found his ladder in the accustomed
place and proceeded to work, unchal-
aenged by the farm hands in adjoining
orchards.
When Helen did appear, she came
running breathlessly and ordered her
employee to come down from the lad
der. An open letter fiuttered In her
hand. what in the world does this
mean" she said accusingly. Here is
1918 but it's not your writing. And
Ii couldn't be from you, anyway, be-
cause it contains check for a hun
dred dollars The note says: i am
sorry to send in my pledge money at
this late date
The fruit picker put hand to his
brow meditatively and left upon its
moist surface a snudge Of peach stain.
There must be some mistake some
where he said. Perhaps there are
two Robert Joneses. That's probably
IT. There must be two Robert Joneses."
But don't you know whether there
were two Robert Joneses in your class,
silly?" asked the girl. She had be-
come very well acquainted with the
impecunious Orton graduate and
dared to call him silly If she chose.
Further explanation was unneces-
sary, for not far off came the sound
OF the voice of Tom Granger, Helen's
brother. "Say, Helen" said Tom com
ang in quick strides. heres good news.
! stopped at the Orton club on my way
home from the office Lawrence Car
ter has come across with his check
for $4,000 to swell the fund. They
have been hoping he would. That's
quite a lot, even for Il hloated bond
holder like him. Good Lord" Tom
Granger stood still and turned vislbly
white as his hand clutched his sisters
shoulder for support He was look
ing at the begrlmed peach picker be-
fore him.
"Why, bless my eyes Lawrence
Carter How did you drop in here?"
Lawrence Carter" echoed Helen
weakly, and she in turn laid droop-
ing hand on Mr. Carriers arm for sup
port.
Il was just going to tell you"
stammered Mr.. Carter, the bloated
bondholder just referred TO. But
Tom here interrupted my explanations
Yes, | am Lawrence Carter, and. after
that letter from Robert Jones | was
going to tell you He put his grimy
hand over the small one grasping his
sleeve and drew II close to him.
you see you just took it for
granted that | was Robert Jones. He
had been living in a bungalow that
happened to own and when he fell
down financially last year he, gave 1t
up and-well, | was sorry for him
and went to help him start Off. The
books | bought, because ! knew he'd
want them back. | was putting them
in a hamper. | believe, when you
called. | thought you were col
lector There had been a few and
when I asked you what you wanted
10 collect it was because | had rather
interested myself in Roberts affairs.
/ always liked him a lot. Now he's
got on his feet again. Bully for
Robert"
But why did you come over here
20 pick peaches?" said Tom Granger,
still mystIhed.
Because ii seemed to me to be the
best opportunity I'd ever have to get
better acquainted with the most
charming young woman | ever met"
said Lawrence Carter, bowling with
mock seriousness at Helen, though he
would not let 90 her hand, and she
was blushing furiously.
uAnd IA can the climax you, Law