Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-12-16
Novelixed by Samuel Field
From the Successful Play by

Rodney rose to the occasion quickly.
"One hundred thousand dollars cash"
he said; '.you assume all the contracts
and obligations Of this company, give
us 40 per cent Of the profits, a contract
for me at $4,000 year, for Miss Gray
son at 0.000"-Peale coughed audibly
behind him-"and another for Mr.. Peale
at the same figure"
Mr.. Martin looked at the two men
moment, chewing his cigar.
"Done," he said finally. He could
see, out Of the corner of his eye, Peale
and Rodney exchange looks and shake
hands. Well, he had come down to
buy them out.
~ congratulate you, father" Rodney
said.
"You needn't" said Mr.. Martin. "As
a business proposition l don't think
much Of 1t, but guess it'll show old
John Clark he can't butt into my fam
lily affairs or get Ellery mixed up with
my boys business" ...
Eyes, father, we'd much rather have
you than Ellery," asserted Rodney.
"Oh, much rather" echoed Peale.
This important deal was no sooner
agreed on than Miss Burke came in In
opportunity and conveyed to Rodney
the information that the agent Of the
landlord wanted to see him at once.
EYES," said Rodney. "You see, IA
Their, we're thinking of taking larger
Offices" he added. "Come, Peale.
Well be right back. father"
Eyes, father, wen be right back"
echoed Peale as they went out.
Mr.. Martin stood there watching
them proudly.
"Bully kid!' he said; then changing
to a contemptuous tone, "Ellery
Clarkv'
Well, that was a load of his mind at
any rate, he reflected contentedly. OF
course he had bought pig in poke.
more or less. You couldn't tell wheth-
er their books were carefully audited
or not If Mary Grayson kept them
they were probably pretty straight.
He was glad to have the boy back any
way. And there would be no more
sandwich men pdFdueS'
Altogether he was in a quite mellow
mood when Mary Grayson opened the
door and came in. From the look on
her face she was glad to see him and
extraordinarily relieved too. Aias FOR
the soap king! He did not realize now
short his satisfaction was to be.
why, Mr.. Martini cried Mary hap
PLY.
"Hello, Miss Graysonv' he said.
Its mighty good to see you again"
"Oh, Mr.. Martini" responded Mary,
I'm SO glad Rodney finally sent for
your
"sent for me?" repeated Mr.. Martin
in surprise.
"Have you talked to himT
"Oh, yes. He's just gone out Tor a
minute to see the agent Of the land
lord"
ooh, then he told you about that
too?"
ayes. he told me. Why nOt?" asked
Mr.. Martin, puzzled.
"Oh, I'm SO glad you've settled with
him. You have settled, haven't your
Eyes; sure"
ooh, good! Isn't 1t wonderful for
him?"
The relief in Mary's voice was gen.
uine, absolutely, as Ambrose Peaie
would have said. Poor Mary had nad
a trying day. There had been that
dreadful man Jones to begin wltn'
Rodney's $500 check must have gone
through the clearing house In double
quick time, Mary had thought, as the
advertising dun appeared again. Tne
fact was, it seemed that he had gone
to the bank to get it certified and was
furious to find that there were no
funds there Of the ID Soap company to
meet 1t with. He rOared loudly about
the sheriff Unless the check was
made good at his Office in an hour he
would have the sheriff round and sell
them out, cover up their billboards ana
send them all to jail.
Mary didn't know much about sher-
IFS, and they sounded terrifying. she
had heard about the laws delay, but
the law sounded swift and terrible as
interpreted by the irate Jones. Sne
couldn't laugh about it and chAR about
a cell with a sunny exposure, as Am
brose Peale did That awful countess
tool A woman swindler who had tried
to get into them for 5000. And the
electric agent threatening to turn on
the light from all their beautiful signs
II he wasn't paid at once. How I'M
reasonable people wereI How could
you pay them when you hadn't any
money! And now, last Of all, the rent
agent making q fuss. No wonder
Mary had begged Rodney to send Tor
his father and give In. She was sure
old Mr.. Martin would help Rodney II
he was sent for. Very naturally Mary
thought on seeing Cyrus Martin smok-
ing HIS cigar there contentedly that ne
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