Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-08-28
Clementine'S
Silent Partner
A Plan That
Worked Well
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

Miss Alvira Pitts thin nose was
poked close to the grating of the post
office window when Clementine Dilley
called for her mail that February
morning.
Letter for you, Clem," shrilled Al
vlra as she poked the mlssive through
the bars. Lawyers letter. l guess
your rich uncle In Australy has died
and left you $l,000,000W
Never had rich uncle. and he
didn't live In Australia, anyway" was
Clementine's tart retort as she took her
letter and went away.
As the alert little form disappeared
from view the postmlstress turned to
her assistant.
Another lawyer collecting letter."
she explained. "Clem Dilley's bust
ness IL lettering to ruin"
Josie Kicks. the little black eyed as
sistant, nodded sagely.
IF village folks would only trade
with Miss Dilley instead of going way
over to Bayport she might make liv-
ing" she vouchsafed.
Glen Dilley couldn't keep up a stock
that would satisfy Long River folks"
retorted Alvira. mark my words, Josie,
there's going to be n change In Glen
DllIey's affairs pretty soon. She's look
ing worried to death"
There was TO be remarkable
change In Clementlne Dtlley's affairs
II she read the lawyers letter Alright.
1t was wonderful letter and one
hardly to be believed, so unexpected
was 1t. The letter read:
Dear MADAME have n client who is
anxious TO invest some surplus funds In
n small but lucrative business, and after
investigation | am authorized TO mako
you tho following offer-viz: My client to
put 5000 into q partnership with you,
you TO manage tho dry goods business
and tho partnership to BIO n silent one.
My client believes there will DO a good
opening for profitable business that has
financial backing II you will call upon
me some day this week will go into the
details Of the matter with you. Very re-
spectfully yours. SIMON DAY.
Three days after Clementine Dilley's
return from New York there was
sensation in Long River. Wngon after
wagon stopped before the door Of her
little shop and unloaded great boxes of
dry goods
Clementinc hired several girls to help
her, and soon the shop was transform
ed from Its former coZlness into the
well stocked appearance Of city stole
Clementine had new front put in the
store and two large plate glass win
dows.
At last Clementine had IN opening
day. She brought all the Towering
plants from her sunny windows, and
the store looked very attractive.
From that day Clementine Dilley's
business nourished nightly. Dozens
OF people who had always traded In
Bayport, fifteen miles distant, drove up
to Clementine's door and made their
purchases there.
Clementine was very happy on that
day when she went down to New
York and presented her books for Mr.
Days inspection The books proved
that Clementine was doing n splendid
business, and the lawyer said he was
sure that his client would have no
cause to regret his investment.
Ciemehtihe oIten wondered ABOUT the
mysterious partner whose money en-
aDled her 10 prop up n crumDllng Dusi-
ness. Why, mt the end OF Ave years
she might be able TO buy out her part
ner, and at the end OF ten years she
might retire from business altogether
and enjoy the quiet domestic life FOR
which she hnd always yearned.
But now she was glad or tho busl-
ness, Tor II kept her from being lonely.
AT home there was nothing save par
rot ana TWO Dihck cats ana at forty-nVe
one yenrns Tor human companlonship.
Cieihch''les 'richus were uehsnteu
NJ her eoou iortuhe' a'thougn sne WIS
not hDle 10 lHphrt the dethliS 10 any
one Wheh ne henrd thnt Cieinentine
DIley was Hhklhg money hhnd over
INST Deacon MnrDerry stumped
thoughtfuliy nome to his bachelor ire
side ana stared at the almanac all tho
eyening-and never read n word.
The next day he dropped Into Glenn
entne's store ana asked Tor collar but
tons. IL happened to DO the noon hour,
ahd CIeihehtine was al aione'
zen cents MI MarDerry," said
CIementlne briskly ms she gave him
thc small parcel