The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-03-13
.rons that he really lent an air Of re-

keen for dollar.
Get an option on it." continued
Gilbert, and we'll cash in big"
How long an option?"
The attorney looked at Kerr.
Sixty days" said the latter.
In that time we can ram the fran
Chise through the council, and when
that's done any bank'll 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 a discussion Of Gloria's future
when reporter from the Banner was
announced.
"I'll come out to see him." said the
lawyer, rising.
mo-" objected Kerr, have him in. l
want to see him, too"
So Mr. James Winthrow, the young
political reporter for the Belmont Ban
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 we'll aware
Of his great shrewdness. He had
made as many political prognostica-
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, it 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
l do for your"
Some stock-yard terminal rumors
in the air, Judge; just rumors, and |
can't find out thing"
Il haven't heard thing about it"
the lawyer assured him. Then to Kerr,
Have you?"
mot word" answered the boss.
Where did you get it," queried Gil
bert.
Floating round town. met Mr..
Kendall just now going to the sta
ton, but he wouldn't talk. know
that the surveyors have been out.
When Mr.. Kendall said he'd been here
to dinner, Billy, he's our city editor,
told me to see you"
Gilbert turned to Kerr. The leader
was man of few words. He disposed
Of the matter under discussion with
one sentence.
"Tell Billy, Dave Kerr said not to
print a line; he'll understand"
That was all. 1t was an order, and
the reporter accepted it as such.
Things in Belmont were so we'll 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 story"
Tomorrow put in that Miss Gloria
Kerr has returned from trip around
the world"
Winthrow put it down, and then
asked with pencil poised: is she at
Locust Lawn"
Eyes," said Kerr.
Don't write the item until l 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 as
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 a dance to introduce
Miss Kerr"
No sooner had the reporter gone
than Kerr turned to Gilbert and said
with what was for him unaccustomed
warmth:
That's mighty good of you, Amos
mot at ALL" Then the lawyer went
on in an injured tone, I'm only sorry
that you put the franchise up to me as
a trade, Pm not doing it for that"
81 knew you'd do it for the girls
sake, but l want you to get what you
can, out of it, Amos. ! owe you that
much"
> (To BE CoNTINuED)
The tobacco of New England gener
ally commands a. higher price than
the average of the other states