Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1914 — Dr. Grayson [ARTICLE]

Dr. Grayson

By SADIE OLCOTT

A young man alighted from a train at a country station and stood looking about him at the beautiful bills and valleys' which made tip the surround iug country. He was handsomely dressed; his suit case was plastered over with the labels of foreign hotels, au indication that lie had been a traveler. There was hut one person at the station except the agent and his assistants, and that person was a young lady sitting in an auto runabout, who had apparently come to meet some one on the train. But as the expected person did not arrive she was preparing to leave when the young man stepped up to her and, lifting his hat, politely said:

“Beg pardon! Can you tell me if there is a hotel about here where I can put up for a few days?" "There is the I’arsamowaddy inn, but it is a couple of miles from here.’’ "Nothing nearer?’’ the young man asked, looking at his suit ease, which was a trifle heavy. “No place where you would be comfortable. I am going by the Inn and will take you In my car If you like." "Thank you very much indeed! You are awfully kind. I fear I shall have to avail myself of your offer, though it will be a pleasure tj> me to ride with you.” He put liis belongings into the runabout and got In beside the young lady. lie was on a tour of Inspection of different localities with a view to buying or building a summer residence, ami it was not long before he was gathering information. lie was the son of a widow and virtually the head of the family. Presently he spied a house on a hill that caught his fancy immediately.

"There’s the place I want exactly. I couldn’t grow those trees In fifty years. The view from its front piazza must be superb.” “I can give you the owner's name IT you wish to make an offer for it.” said the lady.

"You don't mean that it is for sale?" "You can never tell what is for sale till you ask. We Americans' have the credit among foreigners of being will ing to sell anything we have If we get our price." "Who owns It?" "Dr. Grayson.”

“How would I learn whether the property could be bought? It seems to me that it would be very imperti nent to go to a man's house arid ask him if he wishes to, sell it." “You might say that you have heard that possibly the place could lie bought and had called to learn the facts. There would be no impertinence in that " ; ; : w

"I don't know that there would be." ‘'You'll Arid Dr. Grayson at home about noontime. Here is your inn.” “I’m ever so much obliged to you for your lift and for your information Good morning."

“You're quite welcome. I suppose you will go to see I)r. Grayson today.” “I think I will.” “Well, be sure to go at noon. You will l»e sure to find him then.” ‘‘Thanks, very much.” ' The young man went into the ifin. which resembled a private'residence and not a hotel. ■ He spent the morn Ing in a hired auto visiting different localities, but found nothing for sale and was averse to spending the Hme required to build He kept his eye on the Grayson residence and hoped that he would find the ownerwilling to put a price on it Between I‘2 and 1 o'clock he directed the chauffeur to take him there. He told the butler, wlto admitted him. to gay to Dr. Grayson that he had heard there was a possibility that he would sell bis place. If so. would the doctor listen to a proposition? The butler returned and said that Dr. Gray-

son would be willing to discuss the matter; It being tin* luncheon hour perhaps the gentleman would make a proposition at table. This was far more than the young man had hoped for. lie sent word that, though he felt like an intruder, lie would nccept the invitation. In a few minutes he heard a rustling of skirts on the staircase, and a lady entered tlie room. She was flu* person who had driven him from the station to the inn “You are doubtless surprised to see .trie.’’ "she said, smiling/' "Not more surprised than p:. ed." was tlie gallant reply. “You are"— "Miss Floronee Grayson. I put on a prefix to which I am entitled, hut seldom use il. Tin* “doctor" indicates a degree I acquired ip a postgraduate course at college. I trust you will excuse my not making myself known as the owner of this property. The truth is that vve are thinking of spending some lime abroad, and if we do the place would be only an orirumbranee." "And I having Just come from abroad the property would lie very useful to rile.” At limebeon everylliing was talked about except the purchase of the property. Tin* gentleman having been a tra veler and Un* lady hay Jig been highly ed.ircaJe-d. tliev .found far inure interesting topics to discuss Mian a matter of business. That was attended to by Miss Gray son s r* ptosenlative. The property was bought b.v the stranger, but when Miss Grayson went abroad be followed her and brought her hack ns his wife.