The Ordway new era., 1914-01-09
strong that he really ient an air of 70


we are going to put line to the
stock yards down MSpls avenue. Sam
began the attorney.
so it's settled, IL III"
Yes. You remember that vacant
tract beyond Benton Park? The one
that the Belden Brothers are thinking
of cutting up for 4 residence addition?
Well. you can't build . house in .
mile of 1t when the roads through
there. but it'll be worth q great deal
more for factory sites.
You'll have railroad connections.
see?" explained Kerr.
Whats doing?" asked Sam. always
keen for a dollar.
Get an option on It," continued
Gilbert. "and well cash in big"
How long an option?"
The attorney looked at Kerr.
Sixty days." said the latter.
In that time we can ram the fran
that's done any bank1l lend US the
money to take over the property"
Hayes went out to rejoin his wife.
after promising to take the matter up
in the morning.
Gilbert was just on the point of be-
ginning a discussion of Gloria's future
when a reporter from the Banner was
announced.
III come out to see him." said the
lawyer. rising.
NO." objected Kerr. have him in.
want to see him, too
So Mr.. James Winthrow. the young
political reporter for the Belmont Ban
ner. was admitted.
Winthrow, like the usual run OF star
reporters in. town the size OF Bel
mont. was not only a shrewd young
American. but he was also we'll aware
OF his great shrewdness. He had
made as many political prognost!ca-
tions as any young man in the coun-
try. and they were quite as misleading
in the main as were any Of the others.
Being on the machine paper and a
loyal reporter. 1t followed as OF course
that he was loyal machine man. Old
Jerry Winthrow, the editor. was a dis
tant relative. but friendly enough and
interested enough in the youth 10 ex-
plain to him some OF the turnings Of
the political wheels.
When Winthrow saw Kerr closeted
with his legal adviser he could not
suppress a whistle of surprise.
Evening. Judge. Good evening. Mr..
Kerr"
How are you. Jim?" said Gilbert
The boss merely nodded an acknowl-
edgement OF the greeting. What can
do for you?"
Some stock-yard terminal rumors
in the air. Judge: just rumors. and l
can't find out a thing"
"T haven't heard thing about II"
the lawyer assured him. Then to Kerr.
Have your"
mot a word" answered the boss.
Where did you get IT." queried Gil
bert
FLOATING round town. met Mr..
Kendall Just now going to the sta
ton, but he wouldn't talk. I know
that the surveyors have been out.
When Mr.. Kendall said he'd been here
to dinner. Bilby, he's our city editor.
told me to see YOU"
Gilbert turned to Kerr. The leader
was a man of few words. He disposed
of the matter under discussion with
one sentence.
Tell Bilby. Dave Kerr said not to
print line; he'll understand"
That was all. 1t was an order. and
the reporter accepted it as such.
Things In Belmont were SO we'll regu-
lated that there was no danger from
any source which would cause Kerr to
think twice before sending his order
to the city editor of the Banner by the
reporter of that paper.
As Winthrow rose to depart, Kerr
asked: you have anything to do with
the society columns?"
Occasionally stumble on a story"
Tomorrow put in that Miss Gloria
Kerr has returned from trip around
the world" tt
winthrow put 1t down, and then
asked with pencil poised: "Is she at
Locust Lawn?"
Yes" said Kerr.
Don't write the item until I tele-
phone you later in the evening"" inter
rupted Gilbert He had been plotting
and planning along social lines ever
since Kerr had told him Of Gloria's
return. Several things he had already
thought of flashed through his mind.
The impossibility of Locust Lawn as
a social center was one of these, and
Gilbert had something to suggest be-
fore having the Banner write the story
which would herald her return. You
can add this, though. Say that Judge
and Mrs. Gilbert will issue invitations
next week for dance to introduce
Miss Kerr"
No sooner had the reporter gone
than Kerr turned to Gilbert and said
with what was for him unaccustomed
warmth:
"That's mighty good of you. Amos. :"
mot at ALL" Then the lawyer went
on in an injured tone, I'm only sorry
that you put the franchise up to me az