Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-12

Ton ne asked.
Not tonight" replied Dick shortly
Wilding scowled and took his leave
Edith said goodnight at this juno
ture. and the two men were left alone
For while they sat quiet, smoking
Suddenly Dick laid his pipe down.
Mr.. Marsden," he said, 'if l pull
this off for you, will you agree tt
Edith and me being engaged?"
Mr.. Marsden did not reply for few
moments.
You see, IL get this appointment
shall be in receipt of 5000 a year from
you, a100 from my investments, and
can make say another 100 If necessary
with my pen. That brings my income
to $500 a year. Surely, that would BIZ
sufficient, Mr.. Marsden?"
1T sounds all right as you put 1t
Dick, but you haven't got the appoint
ment yet.
"Supposing can get the ground fol
you at $4,000, will you agree to give
me the secretaryship and Edith?"
IF you can do it, yes" said Mr.
Marsden.
Will you put 1t on paper?"
Surely you trust me, Dick?"
Yes, but supposing anything hap
pened to you suddenly, where should
/ be?"
Quite so. quite so,' said Mr.. Mars
den.
He seated himself at the table and
in a few minutes drew up the follow.
ing note:
Il. John Henry Marsden, hereby
agree to appoint Richard Carmichael
Thornton to be secretary of the com.
pany which is to be formed to work
my factory at Arlbourne, and l also
agree to his marriage with my daugh-
ter. Edith, provided always that he be
successful In securing the sale to me
of that area of land adjoining my fac
tory colored red on site plan, at a
price not to exceed a6.O0O."
Mr.. Marsden appended his sigma
ture, which was witnessed by SER
want, and then he handed the note to
Thornton.
On the following morning Mr.. Mars
den sat in his office talking to Wild
ing. Presently clerk entered the
room.
MIR. Thornton. SIR" he said.
"All right. show him in. You
needn't go, Wilding.
well, Dick. what's the trouble this
morning?" said Mr.. Marsden. Gust
going to see Hobbs & McGrath?"
I've been,' replied Dick.
Wilding laughed sneeringly. "They
didn't keep you long" he remarked.
NO" said. Dick calmly, 81 wasn't
long about it. Will you give me your
check for $4,000, Mr.. Marsden? Here
are the title deeds
"Eh?" gasped Mr.. Marsden.
Wilding was unable to speak.
well, well, bless my SOUL" STAN
mered Mr.. Marsden. You're better
man of business than either of u.s."
I'D like to have few words in
private with you, Mr.. Marsden," said
Dick.
IAN right, my boy. Leave us, Wild
ing"
The manager got up andAurched out
of the room.
How did you manage it,hDick?"
Three years ago. before knew you
or Edith" began Dick. Il came to the
conclusion that the land adjoining
your property would be valuable some
day. l had saved a decent bit and /
was able to acquire the ground for
$500.
Then, when heard you were after
1t, came to know you, and / told
the solicitors to keep my name a
secret. so that the deal, when 1t came
off, should be on strictly business
lines. knew you would feel you
must have it. SO / put high figure
on it, knowing that you could afford
It.
Subsequent events. however" Dick
concluded with sly smile, have re-
suited in my lowering my price,
Mr.. Marsden started blanlkly at Dick,
and then he grinned and held cut his
hand.
Dick" he said, I'm beaten, fair.
ly beaten Pearson's Weekly.