The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-12-23

l
, there was that even sharper twinge,
and curiously less pleasant one, when
she reminded him of her father. He
had been a handsome dog in his day,
Rob GraySon--there was no denying
that.
An idea was taking shape in Mr..
Martins b.'ain pan: If only he could
put it over.
CHAPTER u.
The Course of True Love.
wv YELL, if you're ready, my
Nh/ dear, here goes" Mr.. Mar
w tin began briskly to his ste
nographer, Mary Grayson.
To John Clark. Esq, Soap Works. New
York. n. Y:
Dear Sir-Confirming our conversation
of even date send you line to record
the bet made this morning between us
in re our sons, Ellery Clark and Rodney
Martin overwhelmingly, that II my
boy, by his own unaided efforts, isn't
making more money at the end Of q year
from Nov l next than your boy makes,
/ pay you thirty thousand dollars $3.50.
0cO) in cash: and If he is, then you pay
that sum to me; the books of their several
business concerns, duly audited, to be the
deciding factor Yours very truly,
"Got that?" he added, darling keen
glance at Mary beneath his thick eye
brows.
Yes, Mr.. Martini" said that young
lady in voice which she was evident
ly trying to make as colorless as pos
sible
We'll, what do you think of it," de-
manded Mr.. Martin. breaking a short
pause.
u think Mr.. Rodney has more brains
than you give him credit for" said
Mary impulsively.
"Oh. you do. do your"
Eyes, sir, l do. But isn't $4,000 a
good deal of money to lose on bet
Somebody always loses, you know
And Mr.. Rodney has never had any
business experience to speak of. You
wouldn't have him in your own works,
you know"
'Of course | wouldn't. didn't want
Rod posing there as the boss son, in
terfering with the good discipline of
the establishment Besides, didn't
want them all down there to see what
nincompoop he was in business. I've
got more pride than that"
aren't you little hard on. Rodney
Mr. Martini" asked Mary gently.
Are you a little sweet on Rodney
Miss Nary" retorted the soap king
gruflly.
She had her head bent over hel
work. and he couldn't see her features
during this colloquy. He would have
to carey the plummet line little
deeper
Because if you are" he went on
II warn you. you'll have to marry hin
for love. He'll get no money from me
unless he makes good. | shsll make Q
will leaving him only an annuity, the
principal to go to charity when he has
idled himself into his grave. and II
see to it that the annuity isn't quite
enough for two. let me tell you. le
alone family of kids. | don't pro
pose to have him or lot Of worthless
grandbIats making ducks and drake:
of my money when I'm gone
81 see" said Miss Grayson. 20
course it's none of my business. Any
thing el'e. sirf'
A motor bus screeching along out
side caE,e to a full stop at the corner
Mr.. Martin. who had begun to pace
the room as he talked, forgetting hi:
convenient or inconvenient govt, lin
gered at the window and saw TIVE
women alight and stand talking in
definitely on the sidewalk. In one o.
the window panes where the curtains
darkened it and made a mirror hi
could see Mary's pretty head droop
ing a little, giving her body a sudden
ly pensire air as she gazed abstract
eddy into the dying fire. He turned
and spoke again and was pleased t.
see that she started involuntarily.
Would you mind ringing for John
son, my dear?" no asked, more pleas
antly.
Mary rose and pressed the buttor
and then sat down again as before
johnson came presently and obedient
" replenished the fire, while Cyru!
Martin twiddled his keys and small
change in his trousers pockets. Wher
Johnson's stiff back had disappeared
through the doorway he began agair
on another tack.
Look here, Mary" he demanded II
franker tone, II want your help
You can help me If you will. and Il