Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-03-19
CHAPTER VIII.-contInued.

CHAPTER VIII.-Continued
1--WE explained to Mr.. Jones. Josie, "
said the judge, that the affairs OF the
plant are entirely in your hands. You
can give him pretty good idea OF
how things stand without the books
and figures in front of you, can't you?"
To Broadway's grief he sat down com.
fortably."
well. hardly. Judge" said Josie,
smiling at him in way which panied
broadway. for 1t seemed certain to
cement the jurist's firm intention Of re-
rmaining with them for the balance OF
the evening. It seemed to him that
this was inconsiderate.
THE old gentleman told me-" the
Judge explained, that the works
showed q profit of about forty thou
ssand dollars last year. Is that right"
"Oh. 1t was more than that"
This distracted Jackson Jones atten
ton even from the color of her eyes.
More than forty thousand dollars!
1t was!" he said, with an elongating
gesture of the neck and side head
twist which were habitual with him in
moments of delighted surprise.
He drew his chair little nearer
even than It had been. Eyes were all
right enough: but. after all, forty thou
sand dollars! And possibly the eyes
thrown in! Had ne been lucky to es-
cane the bonds of wedlock with the
ancient widow? Verify he had!
1T was nearer fifty. II remember
rightly" said the pretty business wom-
an.
We'll that wasn't so bad, now, was
IT. exclaimed Broadway.
why. no." his fair informant grant
cd considering that we've been fight
ing the trust all the time. / think
Il was perfectly remarkable"
DO you?" inquired Broadway, with
the eyes of faith, as il he were quite
willing to accept her judgment upon
all things
why, yes; don't you?" Her fore.
head had pretty, earnest pucker that
almost unnamed him.
Sure, l think it is" he made haste
10 agree. What do you think about
1t, judge?" The judge must be brought
into the talk, of course. as long as he
was there.
The judge settled back into his chair
and looked complacent. Il always said
1T was the best chewing gum in the
world"
I'VE are talking about profits, not
about the gum" said Broadway. and
Josie burst into a ripping laugh which
he felt sure was OF the sort which
-tinkles among angels when something
makes them happy on the golden
streets.
There was that in this speech which
penetrated to the depths OF the judi
cial system; 1t served as light to show
the judge what might be going on
Although nc had been comfortably set
tied for long hours chat about sub
Ject which intensely interested him, he
rose abruptly and stood looking down
at them.
"Well!" said he, and laughed. "You
talk it over. now. with Josie. I'm-I
guess am a poor hand where figures
are concerned" He moved slowly
toward the door, and smiled at every
step. Fl want to ask nom about some
thing. anyway"
jackson Jones was really embar-
raised for a moment when he found
himself alone with this old friend OF
his youth, this simple little country
girl. But he knew 1t wouldn't do; he
was certain that It was absurd. To
kill time he referred back to what the
Judge had said about the gum.
Can you beat that?" he inquired.
1.-The best chewing gumin the world!"
She looked at him with the serious
light OF real reproof in her incompar-
able eyes. Il don't think there's any
doubt about II, Mr.. Jones. The trust
people realize It. II they don't. they,
certainly wouldn't be willing to pay
n million dollars for IT,"
They're willing to pay more than
that for IT," he told her, feeling for
che first time a real interest in the
conversation. Before that he had been
absorbed only by the conversationalist.
Twelve hundred thousand they've Of
Gorsd"
she was not pleased. II didn't think
you knsW Tat" she confessed, ''Thsy
49, tu.s