Arizona republican., 1910-03-25

fl shOrtSlghted. His instructions were to get " options on the greater part of the town
 ship. that Mrs Peter TonlIns might realize
 the dream of her lie, and the very hrst bargain was his undolng. It was altogether too Peter Tomlins figured in all business matters would have considered this a drawback, but 1t proved to he unfortunate. to say the least
 The agent saw Ava Crosby first lie knew that Ava Crosby old man, taIlng mentally, so that seemed easy place to bcgIn. It was no trick at all 10 bamboozie Ava into giving an option al a ridicuousy low hgurc; the agent atterward said that Il was a shame do it. but that he w:s working for Peter Tomns and he knew how much Peter Tomlns thought ot a bargain. inis' theretore' seemed like suspicious beginning He had to work with options. for Peter TominS did not wish to begin buying until he was reasonably sure that he could get all that he wished without being held mp Peter could afford to pay any old price to gratify any old wliim, but there much less eradication when the went over the market price Besides, this hi wife- whim.
 So the Crosby bargain looked particularly good to the agent. and he took advantage Of the old man in c really shameful way. He even went so far as to secure from him pledge Of secrecy. which made the situation wholly tO his liking. But Ava Crosby did not understand That this pledge of secrecy put his daughter without the pale of knowledge and lie told her. She studJcd the purpOScly complicated terms of the option with great care. Tn the end reaching the conclusion that her father had agreed to sell the farm for a good deal less than its value good deal less. indeed. than he supposed. for the price concealed in method of valuation that deceptive. Thereupon she questioned him. and able to see the significance of things the agent had said.
 She was distressed ard angry; the agent had per petrated despicabie swinde: therefore If 1t lay in her power the agent should suffer. The easiest and quickest way to make the agent suffer was to block his other deals She not absolutely certain that there be any other deals. but some things he had said led to the inference that he was after
 The rural telephone line was great convenience in this emergency. Charlotte Crosby-senerally known Lottie-promptly got in communication with the Goodwns Some had been making inquiries about the Goodwin farm so the Goodwins not surprised to learn that mysterious party trying to buy up everything in sight
 'I don't know just what the scheme S said Lottie Crosby, but it is big and very important. There is doubt that you get your price for your land if you have the hold out for
 The price of the Goodwin farm went up one hun dred per cent immediately. So did the prices of the Raster and the Gang properties as soon as Lottie had teephoned to them. Then the spread others, and everything in the neighborhood scared The agent discovered that his first bargain his only bargain; after that he up against stone wall of prices that would have given Peter Tomns an apopectic ht So the agen, gen, went m homc ur. pick up the land quietly after they've got tired waiting for the big price.
 But don't want to let it while" growled Peter Tomlins. and what's more to the point. Mrs Tomlins doesn "ant to let t rest while. It's her pet scheme
 him to do what he pleased when he pleased. but it was Mrs. Tomlins who was impatient Mir. Tomns would not let inlpatience. especially his
 
 but Mrs. Tomlins wanted her dream of magnificent country place realized at the earliest possible moment. She already planning a splendid palace and magnificent drives and private golf links and vineyards and orchards. She was sure that the realization of her. dream worth all that 1t could possibly cost but she could not convince her bus band that it worth a deviation from strict busi- principles in the matter of purchase.
 So Mrs. Tomlins. in her anxiety followed the agent into the district and like the agent she went co the Crosby place first. She Lotte Crosby. which unfortunate for her. Lottie a girl of spirit. and Mrs. Tomns not the kind Of woman to make the most favorable impression upon her. for Mrs. Tomlins disposed to be haughtily patronizing.
 q have heard" said Mrs Tomlns that you B'Fayeo Bor the secret our negotiations to the "e's"
 q didn't know whose negotiations they were" returned Lottie. but told the neighbors somebody after all the land here. and that he probably needed ii badly enough to pay big prices.
 "lt was very wrong. commented Mrs. Tomlins.
 "Oh, it was"' retorted Lottie belgerently.
 "Of course. said Mrs. Tomlns conciatoriy. |you hardly be expected to understand the finer points of honor, and I quite ready 10 concede that you acted gnorantly rather than maliciouSly; but 1t very wrong
 "Oh. it wasi" said Lottie again Well how about swindling dad? Was that all right"
 Why, child" argued Mrs Tomlins indulgently, "no one has swindled your father. In the ordinary of business. as Mir Tomlins would say our agent secured option from him on his farm, but
 Oh yesr' exclaimed the girl indignantly fits all right to confuse and delude an old man-to take ad vantage of his nrmities-bu it's very wrong to inter fere with a rich mans bargains '!
 You surprise me- said Mrs. Tomlins "l supposed you would that you had put your father in the posi- ton of being guilty of bad faith. when explained the matter to you, and would be willing to undo the harm you have done If you would notify these people that you mistaken"
 "I won't"
 "I was about to explain" Mrs. Tomlins went serenely that intend to have large and magnifi cent place here. and have doubt that you would make splendid ladys maid shall look out for you personally, and the opportunity is that you can hardly afford to throw away
 The girl speeches. with indignation, but Mrs Tomins thought she overwhelmed by the glorious possibilities of the proposition. which she calmly con tinued explain at some length. ladys maid would sec much of the world and might hope to be taken to Europe.
 And" she concluded. "as sort of retainer as my husband says, I'll pay you hundred dollars now
 The girls voice and wits back to her She rose and opened the door to the hall