The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-05-09

stock yards down Maple avenue, Sam,
began the attorney.
SO it's settled. Is tit"
Eyes. You remember that vacant
tract beyond Benton Park? The one
that the Belden Brothers are thinking
of cutting up for residence addition?
Well, you can't build a house in
mile OF 1t when the roads through
there. but It'll be worth great deal
more for factory sites.
You'll have railroad connections.
seer explained Kerr.
What's doing?" asked Sam. always
keen for a dollar.
Get an option on it." continued
Gilbert. land we'll cash in big"
How long an option!"
The attorney looked at Kerr.
Sixty days." said the latter.
I'm that time we can ram the fran
chise through the council, and when
that's done any bankll 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 discussion OF Gloria's future
when a reporter from the Banner was
announced
IN 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
ner, was admitted.
Winthrow. like the usual run of star
reporters in a town the size Of Bel
mont, was not only shrewd young
American, but he was also well aware
Of his great shrewdness. He had
made as many political prognost:ca-
tons 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 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 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 your"
Some stock-yard terminal rumors
in the air, Judge; just rumors. and !
can't find out thing"
ri haven't heard thing about it.,
the lawyer assured him. Then to Kerr,
Have your"
Not word" answered the boss.
Where did you get it," Queried Gil
bert
FLOATING round town. l met Mr.
Kendall Just now going to thu sta
ton, but he wouldn't talk. l 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 q 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 1t as such.
Things in Belmont were so well 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 q trip around
the world
Winthrow put it down. and then
asked with pencil poised: rs she at
Locust Lawn"
YES" said Kerr.
Don't write the item until 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 Glorias
return. Several things he had already
thought Of flashed through his mind.
The impossibility of Locust Lawn rs
q 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"