The Washington times., 1912-05-19
The Parsimonious Cocktail
# By
EDGAR FRANKLIN
Copyright, 1912, The Frank A Munsey Coz
All Rights Reserved.

lionaire listened again. 1t was quite
as clear as before; everything but the
vital details were easy to hear; the
nothingness, perhaps by the mans own
voice, perhaps by the vagaries OF the
machine.
He tried again, more slowly. The re-
suit was no better. He sought fourth
whole record seemed to go into one
screaming haze of sound!
Mr.. Banks sat down with a snarl
once more. supposing the information
tom of his soul he felt this-was he
to be baked like this? His hearing.
he knew, was not of the very best. He'd
not Harris, either. It isn't we'll to
confide trusted employees with too much
Levridge, the butler. then? No, he
Dder trust well bis @fe9 s %fe
at this time Of day, had probably for
gotten that home existed until time
came to dress for the evening; more
over, she mi ght not have entire pa
tience with the notion. Then, who on
earth?
A brilliant smile suddenly suffused
Banks countenance. His forehnger
pressed hard upon one of the little bank
Cowles entered.
go to the nursery and ask Miss
, Weatherford to bring Miss Ethelinda
here Immediately" he commanded.
Cowles moved.
Three minutes later, genuinely human
little feet raced downstairs, despite
soft and reproving voice somewhere
no attempt at the overwhelming dignity.
Within another second or two a girl of
seven or eight rushed into the library
and landed upon Banks lap with
QfranlInnG hnunpn
Want to see me, daddy?"
The millionaire, relapsing forgetfully
into a normal being, kissed her flushed
cheeks as he answered:
Yes, dear. Can you listen to me very
carefully, Ethel?
A bob of the head assured him.
II have record on your phonograph,
dearie;,, want you to listen to it very
all OF the words. Ready?
The machine started slowly. The child
listened intently. They reached the first
of the doubtful parts and the record
was brought to a standstill.
why, that said Ask for William Has
kins the manager. and see him person.
ally" the young lady remarked, with
pleasant certainty.
Are you positive, Ethel?"
of course, I am, dad"
Then this part"
The record was started again. II came
to an end with frown on Ethelinda' 8
ward once more; and at the end Banks
asked 2e hsr,esahtlessly:
The little girls brow puckered.
make out the number and I can't make
out that doctors name at all. Let us
hear II again, dad?''
The record was run back. With a
practice, Miss Banks herself operated
the phonograph now, a pencil In her
right hand. Back and forth 1t went
over the doubtful part; until at last,
| stopped and Ethelinda pushed the slip
| of paper toward her father with:
There's the number. daddy"
Banks gulped.
"Um-um. responded the infant.
I Ranks set her down hurriedly.
dearest" he said quickly. I'm going
away for few hours. Don't tell any
course. II she asks. You will remember
that, wont yon?'
It's nearly time for your afternoon
He implanted another fervent kiss
upon upon the red lips. and with a laugh the
lie scrubbed another word or two up
on the slip of paper that bore the ad-
dress. Then. with a jerk. he dragged
| lSlObt TIE CyllinueE ana cTuSned III unOeT
| his heel. After which excitable and
| dramatic proceedings, Mr.. Blanks plant
ed his whole hand upon the bank Of
| electric buttons.
The briGfsst of uauses and Harris hur-
| ried in. followed by Cowles. who was
In turn followed by a very solemn per-
| son in black. Banks rose and deliver.
| ed orders with Caesarian bTeVity.
Harris call up the garage and have
| the big car rushed here at oncer'
! Barrfs bowed and made for the tele-
| phone in his own little office.
"Cowles, go to the front and watch
for the car. Report to me the instant
| 1t arrives"
Cowles bowed and made fer the front
"Jenkins, bring nv fur ccat. hat and
goggles!"
| Jenkins bowed and made for what,
ever region is usually occupied for fun
coats, caps and goggles.
| All of which accounts for the stoo'
ping of a great green motor car before
ca Palling place, some thirty minutes
later.
| The number, up In that far-awav sec
ton OF New York where the conductor
tells you to get off, walk four blocks t.
the right. cross the fields to the place
where they're building the new school
climb the hill and then pass the con,
crete works, happened to be a con
structlon company's temporary office.