The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-04-11
cHAPTE VIII.-contInued.


''I've 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."
We'll. hardly. judge" said Josie.
smiling at him in a way which panied
Broadway. for it seemed certain to
cement the jurist's firm intention of re
naming with them for the balance of
the evening. 1t seemed to him that
this was inconsiderate.
''The old gentleman told me-" the
Judge explained, that the works
showed a profit of about forty thou
sand dollars last year. Is that right?"
''Oh, it was more than that"
This distracted Jackson Jones' atten
tion even from the color of her eyes
More than forty thousand dollarsj
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 a little nearer
even than it had been. Eyes we're all
right enough; but, after all, forty thou
sand dol1ars And possibly the eyes
thrown in Had he been lucky to es-
cape the bonds Of wedlock with the
ancient widow? Verify he had!
1T was nearer fifty, if I remember
rightly" said the pretty business wom-
an.
well, that wasn't so bad, now, was
it?2 exclaimed Broadway.
why, no." his fair informant grant
ed, considering that we've been fight
ing the trust all the time I think
it was perfectly remarkable"
DO you?" inquired Broadway, with
the eyes of faith as if he were quite
willing to accept her judgment upon
all things.
why. yes; don't your" Her fore
head had pretty, earnest pucker that
almost unnamed him.
Sure, think it is,' he made haste
TO agree. What do you think about
it. 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. 81 always said
it 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
zig SUC n
the judge what might be going On
Although he had been comfortably set
tied for a long hours chat about a sub
ject which intensely interested him, be
rose abruptly and stood looking dowI
at them.
Welt" said he, and laughed ''Yol
talk it over, now, with Josie. I'm
guess I am poor hand where figures
are concerned" He moved slowl,
toward the door. and smiled at ever,
step, Il want to ask nom about some
thing, anyway"
Jackson Jones was really emba1
raised for moment when he foun,
himself alone with this old friend o
his youth, this simple little countr.
girl. But he knew it wouldn't do; h
was certain that it was absurd T
Kill time ne referred back to what tn
Judge had said about the gum.
Can you beat that?s he inquired
''The best chewing gum in the worIdi
She looked at him with the seriou
light of real repreof in her incompal
able eyes. 81 don't think there's an
doubt about it, Mr.. Jones' The trns
people realize it. II they don't. the
certainly wouldn't be willing to pa
million dollars for it,
They're willing to pay more tina
that for ia he told her. feeling fc
the first time a real interest In Ii
conversation. Before that he had bee
absorbed only by the converzationalis
Twelve hundred thousand they've o
Tered"
She vas not pleased. Il didn't thin
yoU knew that" she contested. 'sThe