Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-22

cents, but with a dancing CLEAN Of tho
eyes.
I'VE are going to keep IT," said Mer-
Ger. "kito,' calling the unseen Jap,
"letch that Fireless Stove this gentle
man left us, and show it to this gentle
man here"
ooh, cut 1t out!" Birdsall waved him
OF. IT'S only ten minutes before our
fellows will come. You can put the
police court wise with all that. Try,
IL on them: it don't go with u.s.
Where is the boy?" said the
colonel
Tell him, IL you know" said Mer-
Ger. "This gentleman" he explained,'
left stove with us to test He was
here about 1t this morning, and we
gave Archie to him to take to the
Palace hotel"
"And he is there now" said the
young man.
Did you leave him there!" asked
the colonel. 4
Eyes, did you?" insisted Mercer. ),
The young man looked from Mercer
to the other two men. There was no
visible appeal to the southerner, but
Winter felt sure Of two things: One,
that the newcomer was MERGERS con.
federate whom he was striving to
shield by pretending to disavow; the
other, that for some reason Mercer
was as anxious for the answer ~ were
they.
Why" hesitated the stove pro,
moter, you see, Mr.-ah, gentlemen.
you see, was told to take the boy to
the Palace hotel, and set out to do
it. We weren't going at more than an
eight-mile-an-hour clip, yet some foo1-
Ter OF cop arrested us for speeding.
1t was perfectly ridiculous, and tried
to shake him, but 1t was no use. They.
carried US OF to police court and
stuck me for ten dollars. Meanwhile,
my machine and my passenger were
outside. When got outside couldn't.
find them. I skirmished around. and,
finally did get the machine. I'd taken
he run before left it-took the key
cut, you know-it must have been
trundled of by hand somewhere
but couldn't find the boy Naturally.
was bit worried; but after had
looked up the force and the neighbor-
hood it occurred to me to phone to
the Palace. l did. and was told no
was there"
who told you?" The question came
simultaneously out of three throats.
"Why, Mrs. Winter-that's what she
called herself"
But not three minutes ago Mrs.
Winter told me that he wasn't there"
remarked Mercer. colby. When did
you telephone?"
1T was at least IL minutes age"
the young man said dolefully. Il say.
wouldn't you better call them up
again? There may be some explana,
ton. l shouldn't have come back
without the kid II hadn't been sure
he was safe"
was it Mrs. Melville or Mrs. Win
ter you got?" This came from the
colonel did she by chance have an
English accent. or was it southern"
"Oh, no, not southern" protested
the young man Eyes. should say
it was English-or trying to be-"
'It would be exactly like Millicent." y
thought the colonel, wrathfully. ito
try to fool the kidnapers, who had APP
parently lost Archie, by pretending he
was at the hotel!"
He made no comment aloud, but he
nodded assent to MERGERS proposal
to telephone; and then he walked up
to the stove man.
"The game is up" he said, quietly.
I'VE have a lot Of men waiting out
side. If we signal. they will come any
minute: if we don't signal, they will
come in ten minutes. Give us q chance
to be merciful to you. This is no kind
Of scrape for your fathers son-or
for Arnold's."
Shot without range though 1t was,
Winter was sure that it went home un-
der all the young fellows assumed be-
wilderment. He continued. looking
kindly at him:
"You look now, I'll wager, about al
you used to look In the office when
you called on the dean-by invitation
and were wondering just where the
inquiry was going to light"
The dimple showed in the young
mans cheek. Il admit" he replied.
that l didn't take advantage as I
should of my university opportunities.
Probably that is why have to earn Q
strenuous livelihood boosting the Only
Peerless Fireless Stove. BY the way,
have you ever seen the Fireless in
action? Just the thing for the army!
Fills long-felt want. should be
very pleased to demonstrate. We have
stove here"
The colonel grinned responsibility.
"You do 1t very we'll" said he. Cant
you let me into the game?" 1:
There was the slightest waver IN
the promoters glance, although he
smiled brilliantly as he answered: 'T'll
take 1t into consideration, but-will
you excuse me? l want to speak to
Mr.. Mercer about the stove"
(To Be Continued.)