Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-11-04

as best could he.
ooh. that dreadful woman again,
sighed Mary.
The countess entered and came over
to Rodney at once, speaking TO him In
French:
"vousetes Monsieur Martini" she
cooed.
Rodney nodded.
"Ah, cher Monsieur Martin-je suis
enchantee de vous voir."
THE DANES loony." said Peale In an
aside to Mary.
mo; she's French" said Mary. "She
wanted to see your father, and she
doesn't speak English. l saw her up
at the house"
"well. let her talk to me-" Rodney
announced, remembering that he had
taken a course in elementary French at
| Harvard.
"Say. can you speak FrenchT" asked
Peale. surprised and impressed by his
new partners accomplishments.
Not very well, but l can under
stand It," said Rodney. Then, going
over to the countess. he said blankly
In English, Fire ahead"
"Eh?" said the countess.
LET me see. Oh. yes-parlez," slut
tered Rodney.
"Ah. mon Dleu-enfn-vous-co
nez Francais?" began the countess de-
lightedly.
"Oui," said Rodney.
You're immense, kid" put In Peale.
The one French word was enough to
start up the countess at her best gait.
"Je suis Madame la Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire parler a Monsieur
Martin apropos des affaires du savOn.
Je voudrais obtenir ragence du savOn
Martin pour la France" she ratified on
In one breath.
"Wait minute-wait a minute"
said Rodney.
what did she say?" asked Mary.
"She's a speedy spieler. all right"
said Peale.
Would you mind saying that over,
and say 1t slow?" asked Rodney Of the
countess.
"Eh?" said that lady again.
:Oh, repetez ca s'il vous plait-lentes
ment." stumbled Rodney.
"Je suis Madame la COmtesse de
Beaurien-je desire obtenir Tagence du
savon Martin pour la France-le peux
bonner cinQuante mile francs pour
cette agence."
"Oui," said Rodney, quite pleased
with himself, upon which the countess
was of again:
"Et enfn-vouIez vous arranger cette
affaire pour moi2 J'ai beaucOup de
references. Je suis richie; je suis bien
connue Paris"
"Wait a minute-wait minute" pro-
tested Rodney. Then, turning to Peale.
he interrupted plausibly:
"She wants the agency for fathers
soap for France and is willing to pay
$4,000 francs for the concession"
How much is that In real money!"
asked Peale quickly.
"Ten thousand dollars" said Rodney.
"Had l better tell your fatherT ask
ed Mary. But Rodney had an inspira-
ton.
mo. no! Why not keep father out of
this? Well sell her the agency for
the 10 Soap That'd be another ten
thousand for us. Peale. she's gift
from the gods"
"Go to it." said Peale, elated.
"But how can you sell her your agen-
cyY' objected the prudent Mary
II don't know. How can IT. won
dered Rodney.
"If only Marie were here to interpret
for usv' sighed Mary.
The three partners looked at each
other helplessly. They felt as If there
were something lowering around that
ought not to be allowed to get away.
and yet it still eluded them.
81 suppose Marie's the French maid"
said Peale. Doesn't she ever come to
the office? 1t might pay us to send up
for her. Get a taxi Buy one. to get
$4,000 back on it"
But as luck would have It Marie her |
self burst through the door at this mo-
ment, shrleking violently at the under |
secretary in her native gibberish. She |
was another gift from heaven. said
Rodney. 1t was the work or rev |
minutes to introduce the two cOmpa-
triots and turn them loose on each |
other. Rodney bundled them into a
side room so the rest could hear them
selves think. he said. Then he sent
Mary and Peale after them. Mary. on
second thought. to translate Peale's
slang and Marie to put 1t into French.
Suddenly a door opened. and he
started guitily. but his fears turned
to hope when he saw Mr.. William
Smith coming In. Old Unchs William
Smith. one Of the oldest friends OF the
family. had been one Of the capital
possibilities he had had in mind.
Mr.. Smith was not really an uncle
but bore that title only by way Of cour-
tesy. Rodney's mother and Mrs. Smith
NONathnF and their |