The Washington herald., 1914-06-21
toou.srht. MA,

Of q parachute and quite another to
drop from an aeroplAne. Billy realized
this as he stood with his hands thrust
down into his trousers pocketsl survey
ing the baroness and general discomfort
of the room he had hired above the gar
age owned by ]. P. Wood. Up against IT
he was, in every sense OF the phrase. :
FThe express company had delivered his
goods at the garage, and perhaps It was
the contrast between these syoaritic ar
ticles and the pIainness OF their new en-
vironment that caused him TO think. He
thought Of the amiably polite reception
his uncle had given him 1t contained an
impalpable quality that somehow abashed
the hope he had entertained regarding
the generosity Of Mr.. Andrew Duplane to-
ward his nephew.
- He gazed despairingiy at the accumu-
lation OF wearing apparel which he had
unlocked. 1t made the place look like an
old-clothes shop scattered by a fire.
With a sigh of dismay Billy selected
from the heap the various components of
q chauffeur's costume. With some dim
culty-for he was unused to the task-he
arrayed himself in the motoring suit,
humming cheerfuIly as he did so. When
I First Put This Uniform On" The ef-
feet was rather pleasing, for the outfit
had been made to measure by a Boston
tailor with an eye to possibilities.
Clothed and in his right mind, young
Duplane went jauntily downstairs and
into the garage. He tilted back a wooden
chair and sat down. A middle-aged.
shrewd-faced man at a desk looked
across at him. He had been reading a
newspaper, and Billy surmised correctly
that this was ]. P. Wood. boss OF the
ranch, whom he had not seen before.
The newcomer inquired Wood rath-
er indiIerently.
In a manner of speaking, yes.
drifted in here yesterday"
What name, please?'
William Andrew Duplane. commQnly
called Billy
Wood dropped his newspaper.
ANY relation to Andrew Duplane Of the
shoe factory"
His nephew" answered Billy casually.
Woods indifference evaporated.
Has the old man treated himself to q
car, them"
The best in the world, a six-cyIinder
Dartmore"
Wood whistIed.
"oh, that's the car? looked over her
this morning. She's beauty
She's all that" agreed Billy. Am I
right in calling you Mr.. wood?''
You're right" said Wood. IT say" he
added brisIxly. as If a thought had just
struck him, do you want to make a lit
Tie money!"
do I?' retorted Billy. For what 9th
er reason are we placed on this sinful
earth?''
Wood laughed.
well. look here" he said confidently.
81 want to extend this business. mean
to take in the adjoining premises and buy
q lot of cars for hiring out. But It all re-
quires cash. For a man who will finance
me, can make a fortune and have a
trihe left over for myself. II you will in
duce your uncle to look in on the PROPOSE
ton, I'll whack up with you
But my uncle has retired from busi-
ness" objected Billy.
Not on your life! A man with his
knack fo- affairs never retires. I can
name you half a dozen affairs in which
he is interested. But Andrew doesn't
part easily"
Have you tried him."
Yes, have" admitted Wood.
so have l." said Billy dolefully.
''Oh, WELL" remarked Wood encourag-
ingly, there's nothing impossible in these
days. Andrew can hear the chink Of one
dollar against another quicker than any
man know He seems to have q long
distance telephone at his ear. When
once he has confidence in a fellow-=rea-
ture, that fellow-creature can do any
thing with him. But you overreach him
once or do anything the least bit shady!
He won't say anything: he'll be as bland
as a summer zephyr, but you'll never do
business with him again"
Billy Strengthened up in his chair, but
remained silent, remembering his deal
with the Dartmore car. Had he acquired
that 5000 check too extensively? What
II his serene uncle meditated subtle re-
venge? Suppose he never rang up for his
car, but left his nephew tied by the foot
at the garage? Would it be a comedy OF
nothing doing?" The question was an
swered almost as soon as il was formu-
lated. The bell on Woods desk rang.
"AH rightg" he answered. Yes; he's
here
He hung up the receiver, saying, "A
call for you, Mr.. Duplane."
Billy got out his car in that uncertain
space Of time known as a jiffy, drove into
the avenue, sped up that avenue, passed
his uncle,s house. turned his machine
and finally brought It to standstill be-
fore the Duplane mansion. for, to the
credit of his powers Of swift thought. he
guessed that his uncle would be going
downtown. That estimable servitor, Per
kins, was waiting for him. quietly defer
entail
Mr.. Dupiane will be down in q few
minutes, SIR
"AII right" said Billy
Then Perkins made a statement which,
expressed in his mild manner, took the