The Dolores star., 1912-02-16
SPINNER
AND HIS WEB

.copyrisht. 1911. b Associated Literary Prsssl
MIR. Spinner. this 10 my friend. Miss
Brooks" said John Aldrich, She's the
,ostmistress Of Hollywood"
Spinner bowed courtlieriiks. y won.
Tered why they had . lady for post
master here-till now" he battered
Miss Brooks seemed made for aat.
cry: she was little and blonde and
cry pretty. But just now her dim
oles were under stern control. and
she appraised Spinner with . swift.
<een glance
"Mr. Spinner 10 from Chicago" vol.
inferred Aldrich
Yes" smiled Spinner easily. from
he big. wicked city. Fifty cents worth
u twos. please!" There was no haste
n his speech. yet one might gain the
Impression that he did not care to have
Aidrich discuss himself and bis visit
with the postmisiress
But Aldrich. great. good natured. hon
est John. had discussed people and
;hings too long with Ruth Brooks to
,hange now DisregardinG the hint In
he others manner. he went on: Mr..
Spinner is president Of the Condor
Crude Rubber company I'm going to
invest some money with him"
You are!" asked Ruth quickly.
How much. john
piled John. speaking as u II were
rival sum Il represented. she sus-
pected. his entire savings.
YES" interosed Spinner In the same
easy manner before Ruth could com
ment Mr. Aldrich 10 one Of the many
people In moderate circumstances who
Is going to share In the wealth that
rubber 10 pouring into this country.
We are not asking the big capitalists
to come in
What dividend do you pay" inter.
rupted Ruth.
On thousand dollars! Twenty dol
lars q month" Spinner's prominent
gray eyes, which had the trick Of look
Ing at one either too much or not
enough, narrowed waichfully. His wide.
slack mouth. the mouth Of ready
talker. frightened under bis dyed mus.
tache.
The postmistrsss smiled frostily.
Good interest. john" she commented:
20 per cent . year!"
Isn't ~" said John heartily. He
saw that bis old friend and bis new
did not seem especially cordial. and be
wanted things harmonious. That's
more than q farm. or even . store.
would pay me- The money 10 In hag,
erstown bank Mr. Spinner 10 going
to drive over with me tomorrow"
Spinner, sure OF bis man. despite the
girls disapproval grew Euardediy In
solent DO you care to invest. Miss
Brooks?" he asked. with . smile.
Before she could ans wer. the door
was opened briskiy. A stranger strobe
In and without ceremony took the
prosperous looking Spinner aside.
They conversed 10 an undertone for a
few moments. Then Spinner turned
back.
Where does Zebulon Cole live. A.
drich?"
Fifteen miles east"
Spinner frowued thoughtfully. And
Hagerstown 10 west!"
Yes: IS miles"
Then I'm afraid I can't 90 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 nrst
heavy snowfall Of the winter vas OH.
Ing the ruts and bianketing the
walks.
He glanced calcuiatingly from John
to the mutinous face Of the postmis
tress. "Tell you what. though: ws
could 20 the next day"
Aldrich looked up In surprise. why.
you told me you had . directors meet
Ing In ChicaEo'"
Spinner's start Of recollection vas
well done That's %: ia forgotten
all about t."
lie took . heavy envelope from his
pocket Across the face Of Il vas
printed. In staring black type. the
address Of the Condor company. He
aiiixed . half dozen Of the stsmps he
had just purchased to the upper right.
hand corner. wrote special delivery"
beneath them. and handed II to A.
drich. 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