The Ordway new era., 1911-12-15

"Mr. spinner, tnlS II my 1fienos Mleo
Brooks" said John Aldrich. shes the
postmistress OF Hollywood"
Spinner bowed courtlierlike. n won
dered why they had lady for post
master here-till now." he dattered.
Miss Brooks seemed made for nat
terry: she was little and blonde and
very pretty. But Just now her dim
pies were under stern control. and
she appraised Spinner with q swift,
keen glance.
"Mr. Spinner Is from Chicago" VOL
unteered Aldrich.
"Yes." smiled Spinner easily. from
the big. wicked city. Fifty cents worth
Of twos, please?" There was no haste
In his speech. yet one might gain the
impression that he did not care to have
Aldrich discuss himself and his visit
with the postmistress.
But Aldrich. great. good-natured. hon.
est John. had discussed people and
things too long with Ruth Brooks to
change now. Disregarding the hint in
the others manner, he went on: "Mr.
Spinner is president of the Condor
Crude Rubber company. I'm going to
You are?" asked Ruth quickly.
How much. John?"
"Oh. about thousand dollars" re-
piled John. speaking as II It were
trivial sum. 1t represented. she sus-
pected. his entire savings.
YES" interosed Spinner in the same
easy manner before Ruth could COM
ment. "Mr. Aldrich Is one OF the many
people in moderate circumstances who
Is going to share in the wealth that
rubber Is pouring into this country.
We are not asking the big capitalists
to come in."
What dividend do you pay?" inter
rupted Ruth
"On a thousand dollars? Twenty dol
lars a month" Spinner's prominent
gray eyes. which had the trick Of look
Ing at one either too much or not
enough, narrowed watchfully. His wide.
slack mouth, the mouth Of ready
talker. frightened under his dyed mus
tache.
The postmistress smiled frostily.
Good interest. John." she commented:
''24 per cent q year!"
isn't 1T" said John heartily. He
saw that his old friend and his new
did not seem especially cordial. and he
wanted things harmonious. That's
more than a farm. or even q store.
would pay me. The money 10 In Hag-
erstown bank. Mr.. Spinner is going
to drive over with me tomorrow"
Spinner. sure Of his man. despite the
girls disapproval grew guardedly In.
solent. do you care to invest. Miss
Brooks?" he asked. with a smile.
Before she could answer. the door
was opened briskly. A stranger strobe
in and without ceremony took the
prosperous looking Spinner aside.
They conversed in an undertone for q
few moments. Then Spinner turned
back.
where does Zebulon Cole live. Al
drich7"
Fifteen miles east"
Spinner frowned thoughtfully. And
Hagerstown Is west?"
Yes: IS miles"
Then I'm afraid can't go over
with you tomorrow. Mr.. Cole has sent
for me. he wants to invest with US.
We couldn't make the two trips In the
shape the roads will be-" He nodded
toward the outdoors. where the first
heavy snowfall Of the winter was f1ll.
ing the ruts and blanketing the
walks.
He glanced calculatingly from John
to the mutinous face OF the postmis-
tress. "Tell you what. though: We
| could 10 the next day"
Aldrich looked up in surprise why.
you told me you had directors meet.
ing in Chicago!"
Spinner's start Of recollection was
well done. That's SO: I'd forgotten
all about It."
He took a heavy envelope from his
pocket. Across the face Of 1t was
printed. In starin.: black type. the
address Of the Condor company. He
afixed a half dozen of the stamps he
had Just purchased to the upper right
hand corner, wrote Especial delivery"
beneath them. and handed 1t to AL.
drich. You can send the money in
that" he said. Don't buy a draft.
Get hundred dollar bills. pin them to q
sheet Of heavy paper and send them
along. And be sure to get the let.
ter away tomorrow. All stock sub.
scriptions must re in ten days before
the first Of the month in order to par.
ticipate in the regular monthly divi.
dend. You can mail 1t at Hagers.
| town."
John shook his head. I'VE patron.
ize our own postohice." he replied
with smile. THE salary Of the post.
master depends on the amount Of
business done. you know"
quite right" returned the promo
ter. heartily. He had won. and could
afford to be magnanimous. And now
I must make arrangements for an
early start tomorrow"
He swept OF his silk hat and bowed