Putnam patriot., 1915-11-26

as he disappeared. Boduey turned to Mary fon1ly. won lering if there were not some way in which they eaall raise some immediate cash. But Mary failed him now for once She hldnt an idea. she admitted 1 sadly. But iu the meanwhile Mr. Smita had emerged from the inner of ice. and something must have come oyer the spirit of his dreams of good Investment. for he greeted Rodney eery genially and encouragingly this time Rodney introduced Mary to him with great pride. catching her back as she turned 10 %.
 "Thats all right You needn't go, Mary. Mir Smith, this is the future Mrs. Rodney Martin"
 You don't say sor' cried Mir. Smith heartily.
 q suppose you and father had your laugh at me. said Rodney
 No, I didn't tell him anything" re piled Mir. Smith. Thanks for that anyhow" said Rod ney.
 Of course 1t sounded funny to me at first" pursued Uncle William, but when l thought things over after all why shouldn't you be q success in 1 husinesSF
 eWhatG" said Rodney, hardly able to believe his ears.
 You've been successful in every thiug else you've tried" said Mir. smith without a hint of sarcasm.
 sTes. yes, certainly, sure said Rod ney.
 Of course you haven't tried much, put. as you said. l anu an old friend, and figured that if you gave me your word that you'd return the money withn year perhaps, after all, 1t would only be the act of an old frieAd to take a chance. That's what friends are for" explained Mir Smith. How much was it you wantedF'
 Behind his back the delighted Mary held up the fingers of both hands.
 'sTen thousand dollars.' said Rodney promptly.
 But didn't you say queried Mir. Smith
 olfs I III SdAt Stil1 FiNfNVOs iANh ney declared. That's the very least"
 "Um! Well, I'll mail you a check tonight" said MT. Smith.
 I'll never forget 1t. l tell you, friends dc count Thanks. thanks" said Rodney.
 Ar. Smith seemed embarrassed.
 That's All right" he said. Don't thank me. Coed night. Miss Grayson. and I hope you'll be very happy
 Left alone Rodney grabbed Mary by her two hands and danced around ex- citedly.
 Ten thousand, and he lent it to me! Oh. isn't it great?' he shouted. He kissed her on the strength of it.
 Wait till I tell Pealef' he cried and slammed out
 In the meanwhile the countess came back, her shriH French voice sounding through the door long before she ap- peared. "Oh. c'est une affaire mag nifique! Je vous remercie. Oh, lea Americainsr etc, she rattled on as she was bowed out into the hall to the elevator.
 What did she say?" asked Mary oi the French maid.
 "She said the American men are splendid. but the women are crazy and they can go to the dickens"
 Mary recalled at last that she was tc report to Mir. Martin herself. She pro | ceedeu to the door of his private room and knocked discreetly three times The old gentleman came in promptly | in response to this concerted summons "Well. how goes it?" he asked.
 "Oh, Mir. Martin. he's perfectly splen ! didi' sas Mary enthusiastically. "St | full of energy, hustle and ideas. He'i | a different man already. You were rght-he only needed development"
 Good. Goodr said Mfr Martin You're not saying this to fatter ar old mans vanity are youY' | "IHdeed I'm not said Mary.
 "Would you rather take guarante' of &. .50o additional and give up tha 10 per cent of his proiits?" he asked | shrewdly
 T should say not" said Mary.
 '.You know. Miss Grayson. you'r' | making me believe we'l win that $30- 900 from old John Clark" -Oh. indeed we shall. You should have just seen Rodney borrow S10.00t from MT. Smith without the least trou hle."
 "Oh, that was my money" said Mar | lin, smiling When Smith told m' Rodney tried to touch him--well, thought the least I could do was t6 back my own son, so l sent smith ou to make good with him
 That was nice of you" said Mary l sutwardly polite but inwardiy disap pointed at the deception.
 Well. I owed the boy chance any how" said Martin. softening q little then suddenly talking very sternl1 again as he caught sight of Rodney through the open door.
 @So youre still hanging around. arr youg' be gramhled. facing his only sor ralentlesssy.
 .Yes. sir. bat came to see Mis 1 Gravson. said Rodney. coming in ( his father iserkiIy Come, Mary h added 10 the new secretary
 aRealiy going into business. ehs seoHed his father Well when yo faii d0nt come sniTeiln@ D'is3 het' I You gant a03Ai gh Aosaf ii9i4 Ai' You're leaeiue Hly employ el course Mss Gragsoas
 1T woH'f sHiyef-aHd l ~son't war vgnr maney. refortesi Rodney
 don't need it Why. f Ed known he' essv il is 10 raise sl0000 I'd have gou to work long ago