Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-10-07

Dear sir-Conflrmlng our COM efsitlon
of even date / send you Inc - ieeoru
the bet made this morning between us
In re our sons, Ellery Clark ana houhes
Martin spectively-namely' lilat ny
bov. by his own unaided enorts' lsh
making more money at the end OF year
-xxoun Nav. 1 next than your boy makes
4 nav YOU thirty thousand dollars (SSO-
ems. cash: and IL he Is, then you pay
that sum 10 me; the books Of the'r 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.
Eyes, Mr. Martha" said that young
lady in A voice which she was evident
" trying to make as colorless as pos
sible.
"Well. what do you think of it?' de-
manded Mr. Martin, breaking snort
pause.
al think Mr. Rodney has more brains
than YOU give him credit for" said
Mary impulsively.
"Oh, you do, do your
Eyes. sir, do. But isn't $4,000
good deal of money to lose on betf
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
n nincompoop he was in business. I've
got more pride than that"
"Aren't you a little hard on Rodney,
Mr.. Martin p asked Mary gently
Are you a little sweet on Rodney,
Miss MaryT retorted the soap king
gruffly. M - ,49
She had her head bent over her
work. and he couldn't SEQ her features
during this coIloquy. He would have
to carry the plummet line a little
deeper.
because II you are" he went on
81 warn you, you'll have to marry him
for love. He'll get no money from me
unless he makes good. l shall make
will leaving him only an annuity, the
principal to go to charity when he has
idled himself into his grave, and I'll
see to 1t that the annuity isn't quite
enough for two, let me tell you. let
alone a family OF kids. don't pro-
pose to have him or a lot OF worthless
grandbrats making ducks and brakes
of my money when I'm gone"
II see," said Miss Grayson. "Of
course it's none OF my business. Any
thing else, sirT'
A motor bus screeching along out
side came to full stop at the corner.
Mr.. Martin, who had begun to pace
the room as he talked, forgetting his
convenient or inconvenient govt. lin
vered at the window and saw two
women alight and stand talking In.
definitely on the sidewalk. In one OF
the window panes where the curtains
Slarkened It and made mirror he
could see Mary's pretty head droop
ing little, giving her body a sudden
" pensIve air as she gazed abstract
eddy into the dying fire. He turned
and spoke again and was pleased tc
see that she started involuntarily.
"Would you mind ringing for John
son, my dear?" he asked. more pleas
antiy.
Mary rose and pressed the buttor
and then sat down again as before
johnson came presently and obedient
ly replenished the fire, while Cyru'
Martin twiddled his keys and sinai
change in his trousers pockets. Whel
Johnson's stiff back had disappears
through the doorway he began agaiI
on another tack.
.Look here, Mary" he demanded Il
a franker tone. II want your help
You can help me II you will, and !
YOU benefit by It yourself, why 81
much the better. Pitch in and catcl
Rodney If you want him. should b
glad Of it. Only there would be on
condition"
Beneath this direct attack the CIR
did finally blush a little. She gatheret
herself together again, however, anS
folded up her book by way Of recap
turing her composure. IL,
"Why, Mr.. Martin" she said. "wha
an idea!''
'eWhy 70 it such an idea3 Is Their
nothing to attract young fellow ant
a good looking girl like you to eael
other? You're too modest, Miss Mary,
"rm not judge Of that, Mr.. Mar
stin," said Mary.
aOh, yes, you arer' retorted her EN-
nlnver aAnd I'm not so sure your
not quite willing myself
..But / think you're very unktnd 9
4 mer protested Mary, taking anothe
cue. .You appeal to my woman,
curiosity. Surprising, for the sake 9
argument. that your son and e
smadly IA lore with each other. VIVA
are xnnH aendttins'at