The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-21

I'VE 'oEsn the once Monday" Rod
ney sang out.
"where's the omce7'' Peals in1uhSd
Let's get one" said Rodney.
with furniture and everything"
said Peale, land. say. you'd better call
up your tailor and order a couple of
business suits" -"
After this manner began the bust
ness Of the great 10 Soap Company,
which was to bring the Soap King
Cyrus Martin to his knees and make
Rodney a rich man in his own right
SO he could marry Mary Grayson.
The Office Of the soap company was
opened with Mary working for the
concern.
From time to time an undersecretary
or subtypewriter stuck her head
through the door and announced some
one. This young person opened the
door now suddenly and announced with
mingled glee and curiosity:
THE Countess de Bowreen!'
Money. when you are chasing it up
in the form Of capital. is a real will o
the wisp. Now you see it within your
grasp. and again your gaze is quite
blank. None Of the three conspirators
In the room realized what was to come
Of the French and titled lady's inter-
ruption and only looked upon her as
an announcement bore. to be disposed of
as best could be.
"Oh, 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. 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 French?" asked
Peale. surprised and impressed by his
new partners accomplishments.
mot very well. but 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-parcz," slut
tered Rodney.
"Ah. mon Dieu-enfin-vOus-c
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 Ia Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire parler Monsieur
Martin apropos DIES affaircs du savon.
Je voudras obtenir ragencc du savon
Martin pour In France" she ratified off
in one breath.
wait a 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 it slow" asked Rodney of the
countess.
'Eh?' said that lady again.
'Oh. repetez ca sill vous plait-lente-
ment." stumbled Rodney.
"Je suis Madame In COmtesse de
Beaurien-je desire Obtenir Fagence du
savon Martin pour In France-le peux
bonner cinquante mile francs pour
cette aSence."
"Oui." said Rodney. quite pleased
with himself. upon which the countess
was off again:
EFT enfn-vouleZ vous arranGer cette
a1aire pour moi? J'ai beaucoup de
references. Je suis richie; jc suis bien
connuc Paris
wait 81 minute-wait Il minute" pro-
tested Rodney. Then. turning to Peale
he interrupted plausib!y:
'She wants the agency for fathers
| soap for France and is willing to pay
10000 francs for the concession
How much is that in real money!
asked Peale quickly.
Ten thousand dollars" said Rodney
Had l better tell your father" ask.
ed Mary. But Rodney had an inspira.
ton.
mo. no! Why not keep father out OF
| this? Well sell her the agency tor
the 10 Soap. That'd be another ter
thousand for us. Peale, she's gift
from the gods!'
go to it, said Peale. elated.
But how can you sell her your agen'
cy?" objected the prudent Mary.
Il don't know. How can II" won
dered Rodney.
"If only Marie were here to interpret
! for us!' sighed Mary.
The three partners looked at each
other helplessly. They felt as if there
We're something lowering around tina,
ought not to be allowed to get away
and yet it still eluded them.
II suppose Marie's the French maid.
said Peale. Doesn't she ever come tc
the office? 1t might pay us to send uI
| for her. Get taxi Buy one. to &c,
| $4,000 back on it."