Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-09
copyrisht. 1919 by the Bobbs-Merrin Co.
jEsRANDOIPH CHESTER :.

SdIL WuVeE Tally PACKAGES, con
fessed Paul, trying to be happy about
it. "Have some. It's fine" And hi
placed a little pink box Of it on the
bar. Hospitality removing the lid.
mo. you don't!' interrupted Blackie
sternly, capturing the box as Walling
ford was about to sample its contents
"You have to curb your unselfish i'm
pulses here. Crackers.
II said boob was lollop, and he
said the gink was gook," explained
Blackie to Wallingford. You're 6
slow host, JIM" And he motioned t.
the bartender. "How have you beer
amusing yourself?"
Wallingford's big pink face lost Its
gloomy expression, and he chuckled
Restraining myself from joining the
party" he confessed in a confidential
tone and with an almost imperceptible
jerk of the head toward the padded
alcove beyond the end Of the bar
where group of middle aged men
who looked as II they had earned the
right OF the mad luxury were mixing
carbonated water with their cham
payne and trying to drink less than
anybody else.
Blackie made hasty but comprehen-
sive inspection Of the quietly animated
crowd. Nothing doing" he softly OBJ
served. '"This Is pleasure trip in
honor Of my election as reform mayor
of Tarryville, and no one is to talk
shop" He gave another glance at the
furrow browed gentlemen.
"Financiers from the wealthy middle
west" unused the chunky ex-reporter.
1.-THE home papers are mysterious to-
day"
YOU'RE trying to duck that taffy.'
Blackie reminded him.
Excuse me- apologized Paul, and
sought out u piece with the teaberry
favor.
Blackie, noting the vast variety of
favors printed on the wrappers Of the
candy, was about to prepare an elab-
crate taffy menu for him when his ear
caught certain words that acted on him
like magic formula.
HUNDRED thousand dollars" were
the words he heard, and the man who
uttered them, gray haired chap with
a particularly healthy complexion, new
er smiled.
The conversation at the bar ceased
absolutely. Paul Pollet. having denud-
ed his teaberry taffy Of its wrapper,
paused with it Just at the entrance to
his open mouth. Wallingford had been
in the act of lifting drink. but he
held it suspended in midair.
Don't figure it that way, Nayler,"
protested the man with the thin nose
and the wrinkled eyes. There are ten
Of us here, and ! move that we split
the half million equally. Any one Of
us can arrange for $4,000 invest
ment."
Blackie stared sadly into the wealth
cred oak alcove for moment. then he
turned and tiptoed stealthily out of the
bar, motoning Polly and Wallingford
to follow him.
II had to leave there or handcuff
myself" he admitted. "What do those
captains Of industry intend to do with
their half million Of real money, Jim?"
Build an Atlantic City hotel for So
cial prestige at home" chuckled Wal
lingford. Each family plans to re-
serve an ocean front suit by the year
and talk about it between trips at the
Wildwood Whist club"
"Half million cash." commented
Blackie, annoyed with himself for re-
it "Is there no place
where we can have a vacation from
boobsT'
mot in Atlantic City," decided Wal
lingford, with a sigh.
The telephone bell rang in Blackie
DAVIS room.
"Mr, Twist to see Mr.. Daw." an
Paul, covering the transmitter
with his hand. Anything doing?'
"Twist." specialized Blackie, with
the anxiety he always felt at the men,
ton Of an unfamiliar name. who's
Twist, Jim?'
II never remember them by name."
stated Wallingford.
''I'u be right down." advised clackie.
20; have him up" said Wallingfon.
Mr.. Twist proved to be total stran.
ger, pasty complexioned man with
shiny lips, and avarice had screwed
bis eyes nearly shut. He shook hands
with Wallingford most effusively when
he was ushered into The room, under
CSsr <hot DN,f Mr.
Daw.
Il came up on strange errand," he
confessed. with a dry little chuckle.
II trust you will pardon this liberty.
because l have taken a greater one"
That's reasonable excuse" agreed
II suppose, in order to
square the greater liberty, you'll do
worse"
Mr.. Twist laughed as jovially as his
evercceted nature would permit ''It
isn't so bad as all that" he stated.
''It's q very simple matter. after all.
Ny man, who was down digging the
tulip bed, you know, told me that jolly
little joke Of yours about the tunnel
and the underwater sun baths"
Walhngford looked across at Blackie
and Paul Pollet. Those two irrespon-
sible brats we're choking with Joy.
II see," he said. ut was good
Joke. wasn't it?"
"Too good to keep!' responded NJ.
Twist enthusiastically. that's why
I'm going to ask You to let me give it
y, <1,~ Oovn-~ a~IT AurvvH ~~H.aA xMv px.~y,