The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-07-29

10 claim pretty Ruth Leslie as his
bride. Where he had expected to
find Joy and brightness he had been
met with despair and gloom. Robert
Leslie. the father Of his prospective
bride, was on sick bed, slowly re-
covering from severe fit of illness
brought on by anxiety over his bust
ness AFFAIRS. Mr.. Leslie had for years
owned the Art Metal works, small
but congenial business. An unjust
claim had been foisted upon him by
a rival-Tipton & Co. Suit had been
brought. judgment entered while Mr..
Leslie was sick, the works had been
closed and the property was now to
be sold to satisfy the claims Of cred
itors.
1T Is not the business, for 1t is only
small one, although it brought in a
comfortable living" Ruth had sobbed
on her lovers shoulder There are
original designs and patterns. though,
that represent half fathers life tasks.
II he should know that all these are
swept away 1t would kill him"
"Oh, If / had only known this be-
fore!" groaned generous, tender-heart-
ed Bob, and he had hurried away to
meet Ned. had given him rather for
lorn, hopeless instructions and
jumped into an automobile, and had
offered the chauffeur double, triple.
quadrupie pay If he could make Taun-
ton and back within the hour.
For while Bob had thousands invest
ed in the west he could not hope to
raise a dollar in hurry. At Taunton,
however, there was an old-time bank
ing friend. It was a question of min
utes. The Upton people would run
up the bidding to any amount to get
their rival out of the way. For the
sake of the girl he adored out of SYM
patty and respect for her aged parent,
Bob must battle these schemes, If pos
sible
A representative of the Upton In
terest was on hand at the auction, as
Ned found when he reached the
works. The auction was being con-
Quoted in the little Office of the plant.
There were over fifty persons present,
most of them curiosity seekers.
The auctioneer had made a platform
of one box set fiat, and a desk of an
other titled on end. His hammer beat
a tattoo as a call to order.
The entire plant will be sold with
out reserve" announced the man with
the gavel-"contents only and lease OF
the premises Terms will be strictly
cash. What am bid?''
'@Two hundred dollars"
An untidy man who suggested the
typical junk dealer made this tender
The Upton agent directed at him q
whitening and contemptuous glance
and said coolly:
Fifteen hundred dollars"
Poor Ned groaned inwardly. His
heart sank as he realized that he had
been put out of the race almost at the
start.
Fifteen hundred dollarsl" cried the
auctioneer. hammer poised, II am of
Tered"
Sixteen" interrupted him.
Two thousand dollars" calmly sup
plemented the man from the Tipton's
Two thousand" repeated the auc
doneer. II hear it once-are you al
done? It Is twice. Two thousand dol
| lars"
twenty-five hundred"
Ned had skunk out of view. A sol
emn faced man had seemingly mad
the last bid. Immediately. too, 1t ap
peared, fat old fellow opposite hin
named three thousand"
-Four thousand" snapped the TiI
ton man
Five" came TRANQUILITY from he o
the grave visage.
Six" as promptly proceeded fror
the direction of the fat individual.
The man from Tipton's hurriedl,
drew out his pooket-book. He glance,
It over. frowned. and spoke out:
viii you accept check?"
Certified by the bank, yes" nodde
the auctioneer.
Il can arrange that. Give me time
/ have only $4,000 In cash, bat can BIZ
up to any amount" and he bolte
from the place.