The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-09-15


he said quietly. though the cool dis
courtesy of the action angered him. Il
shall bring that money in in a few
days"
He hurried from the office. fearful
lest the bankers open sneer should
provoke him to a hasty speech. Wag-
ner and Bradin's father had long been
commercial enemies. He could not I'M
derstand why this dislike should ex-
tend to himself.
The fact that he was not a business
man should not have been deemed suf-
ficient cause for refusing to consider
his proposal for Norma Wagner's
hand. The fortune left by his father
was so we'll invested that an ample in
come was assured, and they loved each
other very dearly.
His blood was hot with anger as he
strobe up the street and had he not
run into Billy Pierce he would have
passed him without word. As it was
the shock of collision reused him and
they stood for a moment chatting on
the curb.
We'll. I've got to be getting along"
said Pierce after pause. i've an
engagement with Walter Wagner"
We'll. WELL" laughed Bradin. you
must be getting up in the world to
have appointments with financial mag
mates"
Not quite that, Frank" he said
ITS about a patent Wagner wants to
buy. He's holding off to get it cheap
It's no good to me and he knows it,
He's waiting until am forced to SELL"
Hard up?"
"A little admitted Pierce. You
see, it's been costly job developing
this idea"
What is it?" demanded Bradin.
Pierce drew the patent office draw
ings from his pocket IT'S a machine
for stripping the fiber from cactus
plants. Its used in making rope
Wagner is the head of the American
Rope company, the trust you know
shall have to sell to him or let it lie
He controls all the companies"
whats the difference between what
you want to get and what he wants
to giveT
Il thought should get at least $780,
600 and a small royalty He is willing
to give the royalty, but he wants to
get 1t for forty"
"I'll give you 100000" offered
Bradin, 'and arrange about the royal
ty. Come over to the Gourmet and
have lunch and I'll write you check"
Two days later he was with Wagner
again. We'll" demanded the banker.
have you made that money already?"
No" admitted Bradin. II came in
TO see If you would help me out.
have device for making rope out of
cactus fiber Beats sisal all hollow
and at half the cost l want hun
dred thousand and a royalty"
Il know where l can get one for half
Of that" declared Wagner, "and 1
don't mind telling Hou that its salient
feature is so sweeping that no other
machine can be patented that will do
the work so Well"
That's funny" unused Bradin. my
lawyer tells me the same thing about
this"
Invent the machine yourself" ask
ed Wagner uneasily.
mo" said Bradin. 81 bought it from
chum for speculation"
whats his name?" asked Wagner.
sitting on the edge of his chair in his
excitement.
"Chap by the name of Pierce" ex-
planned Bradin. "He was in the school
of engineers when l was completing
the classical course"
"He promised to sell it to mew storm
ed Wagner.
did he?" asked Bradin innocently.
"He told me that you did not meet his
price"
"He had to take what l offered" de-
clared Wagner sullenly There is no
other market
"Oh, yes there is" declared Bradin
comfortably. I'm going to start a
cordage company of my own unless
you buy. With this machine we can
make rope for half what it costs you.
It's good thing and two or three
friends of my father are willing to go
into it with me-
I'VE VIII undersell you" threatened