THE answer which David sent to White Falls stated that in case Mrs. Fidelia Bolton was without funds or otherwise needed assistance, he would be glad to communicate further with Mr. Jessop. In reply to this, Jessop wrote that Mrs. Bolton's principal in care of the Drovers' Bank was intact and she regularly received income which undoubtedly was ample for her requirements whether or not she later shared in her husband's estate.
This ended the correspondence. When it stopped, Fidelia apparently was still in England; but where was she the next week? And the week after that? And on the following days? The doubt hung over Alice, however David tried to drive it away.
He succeeded best by plunging into business with great energy and real interest. He went to work in a shippers' organization which handled the sales of many manufactured products by a method which considerably lowered costs to every one and consequently performed a valuable and satisfying service.
His work required not only selling ability but the exercise of judgment and the use of a sound knowledge of economics. Since he got into the work through a friend at Fort Sill, many of his companions in the office were from the School of Fire. He often brought a couple of them home for dinner and they all talked out their problems with Alice.
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