Putnam patriot., 1915-11-26

~Ta5 lone Eor 8ead soEet8iaa eateHz
 q had au iara a,vhsle aea." said Rolae5 lile ..gl .es gaaJ.
 sNet if you're < ..s .o catch the rich boob5." said pe3le.
 Then suddenly Rodney remembered ,he legend in the e.d cookbook and cried out:
 "W8it waiti Listenl Listen close, IT.. 13 Soap Unlucky for Dirt"
 son" said Peale joyously. its all over The old man1l be on his knees in month
 We open the office Monday Rod ney sang out
 "Where's the officer" Peale inquired. Lets get one.'' said Rodney.
 with furniture and everything" sail Peale, and, say, you'd better call up your tailor and order a couple of business suits
 After this manner began the busi- ness of the great 13 Soap Company, witch was to bring the Soap King Cyrus Martin to his knees ana make Rodney a rich man iii his own right 50 he could marry Mary Grayson. The office af the soap company was opened with Mary working for the concern.
 From time to time an undersecretary OF sHbtypewriter stueh her head through the door and announced some one. This young person opened the door now suddenly and announced with mingled glee and curiosity
 4The Countess de Bowreenr'
 Money, when you are chasing it up in tue form of capital, is a real will O the wisp. Now you see fl 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 ineonvenient 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 Martin ?' she cooed.
 Rodney nodded.
 "Ah. cher Monsieur Martin-je suis enchantee de vous voir.''
 "Tbe dame's loony." said Peale in an aside to Mary.
 Nc: 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 q course in elementary French at Harvard
 Say. can you speak French?" asked Peale, surprised and impressed by his new partners accomplishments. Not very well, but l 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-parlez," stut- tered Rodney.
 "Ah, mon -vous-compre. 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 la Comtesse de Beaurien-je desire parler q Monsieur Martin apropos des affaires du savon Je voudrais obtenir fagence du savon Martin pour la France" she rattled of in one breath.
 Wait a minute-wait 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 s'il vous plait-lente- ment." stumbled Rodney.
 "Je suis Madame la C0mtesse de Beaurien-je desire obtenir ragence du savon Martin pour la Franee-le peuz donner cinquante mile francs pour cette agence.'
 "oui," said Rodney, quite pleased
  was off again:
 ''Et enfin-vouleZ vous arranger cetue affaire pour moi? J'ai beaucoup de references. Je suis riche; je suis bien connue a Paris"
 Wait d minute-wait minute, pro tested Rodney. Then, turning to Peale' he interrupted plausibly:
 tsSha wants tho agency for father S soap for France and is willing to pay 50,0o0 francs for the concession"
 How much is that in real moneyF asked Peale quickly.
 Ten thousand dollars" said Rodney. Had I better tell your fatherY ask ed Mary But Rodney had an inspira- ton.
 No. no. Why not keep father out of thiss We'll sell her the agency for the E Soap. Thaf'd be another ten thousand for us Peale. she's a gift from the gods.!
 ~Go to it~ said Peaie. elated.
 But how can you sell her your agen- eys objected the prudent Mary.
 I don't know How can IF. won deaea Rodney
 If only Marie were here 10 interpret for usr sighed aiary
 The three partners looked at each other helplessly. They felt as fl there were something lowering around that ought not ro be allowed to gef away and yet il stiIl eiuded them.
 T suppose Marie's the French maid. said PeaIe. Doesn't she ever come ta