The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-09-25
gNlne 70


this is the hoodoOcd Avon. 1t looks
like you're up against it. WaEIinSford.'
1T isn't my funeral returned j.
Rufus. I'm not engaging in any bust
ness this year anyhow. but still
have IL bet left in me. If Tile Lamas
Goat makes Il hit it'll break the hoo.
doc, ana this house will tie worth more
than 1t is today. At what price will
you sell the property. and how mucI:
will you take for IL thirty day option
on it?'
Dan sank back i'll his chair like Il
collapsed puirball. "lt's 100 late" ho
husIiily whispered; then lie cleared
his throat. Its too late" lie repeated
in Il louder husllincss II gave Dillon
a thirty day option day before yester.
day"
1.-THE devil you say" exclaimed Wal
lingford. deeply disappointed. why,
the mans as crooked rs Tammany and
sure bankrupt if he goes through
with this thing. thought you had de-
cided not to fuss up with him"
II couldn't help myself" half whincd
Sickels, in the pitiablc weakness OF 81
once strong man. "WalliuGford. I've
been broke so long that when | see any
CT my old friends on the street hunt
an alley. used to be one of the best
dresscrs on Broadway. and now don't
like to go out there in the sunlight; |
feel as il everybody tllAt's walking
behind me has his eyes focused on
the fringe Of my pants. own this
property and It's $4,000 worth Of mort
cages, hut there's many II time I've
felt like trading it for the price Of q
new suit of clothes, Il dinner with II
pretty girl. a Skin full OF champagne
and bottle or prlsSc acid. We'll,
when I'm feeling about like that this
quivering Dillon comes along and
shows me twenty-five greenbacks, each
one OF them good for $50 ut amy reg
ularly licensed bar, and fall. He Of
fcrs me 100000 cash and the same
amount in stock OF the Dillon Stores
company for this place, If lie chooses,
on or before the day his option expires.
But it isn't the figure he offers me
that gets me; it's that visible $500 in
real money. Say. DO you know what
I've got Oh now for the first time IN Il
century or so? silk socks"
I'm sorry You closed with him.
Dan" commented WalIingford, too
much Interested in the business end OF
It to pay any attention to Dams JOY In
the sordid necessities OF life. All
you'll get out OF this place will be the
$4,000 difference between the cash
you get and the amount of your mort
gagcs." And Wallingford stalkcd away.
Stcsdrastly refusing Sickcls' hosintablc
in;.i Ion to so out and take drinE
ana rot."1 Il.
Instead, Wallingrord. as was his
habit when he had been baked in amy
OF his plans. hunted Il quiet corner
where nobody could find him. IN houI
later he hurried down from the lonely
balcony box just above the jangiing
rehearsal aud hunted Sickels. whom he
found luddlcd up iii the old watch
mans comfortable chair nj the stage
entrance with foot across his kne"
gently strOkinS Il silk sock.
"You might rs well lave some more
hubcrdashcry, Dan" Walineford oh
served. laying n hundred dollar bill
across the gliStcnlng ankle.
Dan promptly clutchcd the gaudy
trilc III his fingers. Whats 1t for:"
lie asked quite naturally
"a second option on this thcater anG
the ground It occupies. Thirty days.
dating from today"
"Same prlce%' inquired Dan, folding
the bill IerEthwiSc and then cndwise.
''Ecttcr," replied WaIlingforl Two
hundred thousand cash"
Dan stuffed tue money into his pocli-
ct. "Lct inc get this straight he said.
rising vigorously from his chair.
You're paying me this $lo0 for what
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