The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-16
The EVENING STORY
spinner and Hts WEB.
(By ~. ]. Phillips.)

Miss Brooks seemed made for fiat
terry; she was little and blonde and very
pretty. But just now her dimples were
under stern control. and she appraised
Spinner with 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 gam the
impression that he did not care TO nave
Aldrieh discuss himself and his VISIT
with the postmistress.
But Aldrich, great, good-natured,
honest John, had discussed people ana
things too long with Ruth BROOKS 70
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 10
invest some money with him.
You are?" asked Ruth quickly HOW
much, John?
piled John, speaking as if 1t were
trivial sum. 1t represented, she sus-
pected, his entire savings
Yes" interposed Spinner IN the same
easy manner, before Ruth could COM
ment. Mr.. Aldrich is one of the many
people in moderate circumstances VINO
is going to share in the wealth that
rubber is pouring into this country We
are not asking the big capitalists 10
What dividend do you pay?" inter
rupted Ruth.
lars a month" Spinner's prominent
erav ewes which had the trick OF look
ing at one either too much or not
enough, narrowed watchfully. HIS wee
slack mouth, the mouth OF rea1T
talker. frightened under his dyed mus
tache.
The postmistress smiled frosty.
GOOD interest, john she comment
ed; ''24 per cent a year,!
isn't it?'' said John, heartily. He
saw that his old friend and his new
did not seem especially cordial, and NJ
wanted things harmonious nat
more than a farm. or even store
would pay me. The money is in Has-
arsville bank. Mr.. Spinner Is going
to drive over with me tomorrow .,,- +ns
Spinner, sure of his man, oesplte Tue
girls disapproval, grew guardedly IN
solent. DO you care to invest, MISS
Rrooks?" he asked, with a smile.
Before she could answer, the ooor
was opend brjskly. A stranger strooe |
in ana without ceremony TOOK the |
Drosperous looking Spinner aside. They |
co1versed in an undertone 1or rev
moments. Then Spinner turned BACK.
ssWhere does Zebulon Cole live, Al |
FIFTEEN miles east"
Spinner frowned thoughtfully And |
Hagarstown is west?'
Yes: eighteen miles"
Then I'm afraid 1 can't go over WIN
YOU tomorrow. Mr.. Cole has sent Ior
me. he wants to invest with US. We |
couldn't make the two trips, IN the
shape the roads will be-" he nodoeu
toward the outdoors, where the hrs |
heavy snowfall of the winter was fill |
ms the rl1ts and blanketing the walks
He glanced calculating from John TO |
the nautinous face of the postm1stress.
Tell you what, though; we could go |
the next day
Aldrich looked up in surprise. why |
you told me you had a directors meet
ing in ChicagoI'
Spinner's start of recollection was
we'll done. That's so; I'd forgotten all |
about it,
pocket Across the face of il was |
printed in staring black type, the au-
dress of the Condor company He az
fixed a half dozen of the stamps he had
lust purchased to the upper right-hand |
corner, wrote Special delivery be- |
meath them, and handed it to Aldrich- /
You can send the money in that" he
said Don't buy draft Get hundred /
dollar bills, pin them to sheet OF
heavy paper and send them along Ana
be sure to get the letter away tomor-
row. All stock subscriptions must be in |
ten days before the first of the month |
in order to participate in the regular
monthly dividend. You can mail 1t at
our own postoffice," he replied, with
smile 1.-The salary of the postmaster
depends on the amount of business
done, you know"
quite rightr returned the promoter,
heartily. He had won and could afford /
to be magnanimouS. And now / must |
make arrangements for an early start
tomorrow
He swept off his silk hat and bowed |
low. revealing the fact that his thin
I,<,f, 6xrnd h
Brooks. Glad to have met you. If you
d sire to invest, Mr.. Aldrich can give |
you our address Come along, Aldrich,
1 want to talk to you"
Spinner slipped a triumphant hand |
the arm of the fluttered John.
Followed by the messenger from Zebu-
lon Cole. they left the office.
Next day Ruth Brooks forever fitted |
to the front door to peer out on the I
storm-sWept deserted street, returning /
little postofice as one reprieved, |
though unsauisfied.
At 7 o'clock that evening, as If to
escape from her thoughts, she gave the
narrow quarters a thorough cleaning. /
She sprinkled the pines floor, and then /
welded q broom vigorously. The pine
box which served as a receptacle for
outgoing mail was moved away from
the slot in the partition, so she might
sweep behind it. By 1880, the usual
clOSlLS HOdIs every tAAAAS " as III OAOSA- I
Nothing remained but to tie up the 1,
meager grist of letters, lock them in /
the mail bag and dispatch them to the i
Chicago train by Robbie, her brother
and after-school assistant.
There was a clatter at the front Il
door BY the light of the oil lamps she /
could see it was John A1drich, scraping /
the snow off his shoes, preparatory to /
AS he stepped In q letter in .