The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-12

buL LuS yOuuS OPeAu 4At . Calm
was brief whats that, AGAIN." he
asked the restaurant man anxiously.
"Er-what? Twenty.three hundred and
twenty-three dollars? :. The
what? Oh, the vintage! Is
that so? Err not at
all. Twenty.three hundred is all right.
1t would be the same to me if you had
said-er-twenty-th thousand"
Having hung up the receiver, he
sagged down in his chair disconsolate-
W
''rwenty-three! Twenty.three!" he
murmured. "And the butler
speaks Japanese! can't win a bet!
III never forget this day."
He rose and paced the room, then
paused and gazed at the wall calendar.
"The thirteenth of the month! No
wonder"
He threw the offending Harrison
Fisher girl into the crate, as Rankin,
returning, announced a persistent WIS.,
itor who had declared that he would
wait when he had been assured that
Mr.. Jones was out. Jackson examined
the mans card.
Peter Pembroke!" he unused, puz-
zled. Where have l heard the name
before?"
HE appears to be a man OF some
Importance, SIR
and he knows I'm in?"
Rankin nodded.
"Oh, well; bring him in. It can't be
any worse" He called to Wallace.
Bob! o., Bob! When you get that
total add twenty-three hundred and
twenty-three dollarl to it,
What for?"
"Thuh-vin-tage," Broadway an
swered bitterly, as his visitor came in.
"Of course you expected me-" were
his first words. my name is Penn
broke"
Broadway was puzzled. Expected
you?"
Didn't Judge Spotswood wire you
that I'd CALI"
"Spotswood?
Eyes, Of Jonesville."
"Oh, know whom you mean, OF
course. No; he didn't wire.'
That's strange. talked with him
over the long distance phone less than
an hour ago, and he told me he had
wired you early this morning"
NO." said Broadway definitely.
II can't understand IT,"
Hold on. Rankin did hand me
wire. l didn't read it." Broadway
searched the table, then his pockets
and finally discovered the crumpled
and unopened telegram smuggling next
his watch.
you have my deepest sympathy
Mr.. JONES'" said Pembroke unctuous.
ly, as he was tearing off the envelope
end.
Have II" Jackson was surprised.
you most certainly have, sir.
knew your uncle very we'll. A fine and
able man."
"U-m? Er-yes. He is abroad"
Pembroke nodded with an JUNCTION
rapidly increasing. Eyes. How sad
that it should happen while he was
among mere strangers!"
jackson looked at him, not compre'
hending in the least, and then turned
his attention to the neglected tele
gram. it read:
Gable from Mr.. Graham, London
England, announcing your uncle's de
mise, received late last night. His last
will and testament mlde prior to his
sailing places you in possession Of the
estate. His entiT. forum, his bust
ness, his every earthl, possession he
leaves Internationally to you, his
nephew and only aeir. Shall. come
to New York, or expect you here? Penn
broke will call on you today. Answer
at once" II
Broadway scarcely had the strength
with which to raise his head after he
had read this mighty news. So hIe
uncle had relented at the end!
Great heavens!"
I'm awfully sorry for You, young
man." said Pembroke sympathetically
Jackson was surprised. Evidently
the man knew nothing of the treat.
ment which his uncle had invariably
given him while he still lived. you
are?"
"Ah, yes: but it is something
through which we must all 60 in this
life"
what? Go through all he had:
Never! I'll never 60 through all of
that If once really get it."
He was worth his weight in gold, .
said Pembroke. still sympathetically.
How much did it total, do you
know" asked Broadway practically.
'That I cant say. We offered him
twelve hundred thousand for his bust
ness and goodwill less than two
months ago. The proposition still
holds good, Mr.. Jones. We stand ready
to close the deal in forty-efght hours.
I-er- realize that in your time Of
trouble and grief it 10 hardly right to
discuss business, but it il vitality TIM
portant that We bring the matter to =
closing point ~ Saturday noon, - We
are considering. at til same tilne, tho