Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-05-22
81 never remember them by name
stated wailingford-

ger. q pasty compiexioned man with
shiny lips, and avarice had screwed
his eyes nearly shut. He shock hands
with waIiineford most efusively when
be was ushered into the room, under
the impression that ]. Rufus WAS Mr..
Daw.
II came up on q strange Grand. ha
confessed. with dry little ehuckleA
Il trust you will pardon this liberty.
because I have taken a greater one"
That's a reasonable excuse" agreed
wailingford- y suppose. in order to
square the greater liberty. you'll do
something worse"
Mr. Twist laughed as jovially as his
evaporated nature would permit 1T
isn't so bad as all that" he stated
ITS a 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"
wailingford looked across at Blackis
and Paul Pollet- Those two irrespoa-
sible brats were choking with Joy.
II See" he said 1T was a good
Joke. wasn't 1T"
Twist enthusiastically. That's why
I'm going to ask you to let me give it
20 the papers, and from what my man
II anybody came and asked you about
IL you'd be quite willing to keep up
the joke"
BIackie Daw. watching Walling-
tord's eyes. suddenly stopped smoker
ing and sat straight up. Paul Pollet.
watching Biackie, did likewise.
II am the grandest little person in
the world 10 keep up a joke" assert
ed wallingford- IF you publish this
merry little jest in the local papers
and somebody should ask me about
Il. how do you want me to carry on
the laugh"
.Oh. tell them that you intend to
build the sun baths with glass domes
under the water and palm gardens
and fountains and a grillroom and all
the other trimmings you invented for
that farmer this morning"
II see. Great joke. isn't it?" com
mented Wallingford. looking specula-
lively over at Blackie
We'll, it's more than a joke adj
mitted Mr.. Twist. judging that Wal.
lingford was not approaching the COM
edy as much as he should Talk
Ike that is good for the town"
II believe you" responded Wailing-
ford. studying him acutely. I'm very
strong for helping a town; but, aside /
from that. who cashes this joker"
Mr.. Twist became more Juicelessly
jovial than ever. Its an i'll wind /
that blows nobody any good" he con- |
fessed. Without harming you in the
least l might say just might. re-
from It"
81 begin TO suspect that's why you !
called" remarked wallingford. now
bending serious attention TO the prob
lem. Come on. Mr.. Twist, and tell
me all about it. You own that prop
erty. don't you:"
well. yes"
you want 10 sell it,
"You are very shrewd." compliment /
ed Mr.. Twist
II can see a joke so fast haven't /
time to laugh At IT." declared Walling- /
ford. You have a possible buyer. and 1
you think that IL you get this story |
printed as az on the level proposition
you can not only bring your buyer to
4 showdown, but get better price"
That's a good guess" admitted Mr.
Twist. his hilarity fast fading as be
saw the inpressively quiet earnestness
Of ]. Rufus There's no harm in
that. I hope"
None at ALL" granted wallingford
81
where I come in. Who is dickering
with you on this property"
Mr.. Twist hesitated and rubbed his
Try hands over each other medltative-
". You'd scarcely know them.
.hink. They're some out OF town peo-
pie"
"Hotelr' murmured Blackie and Paul
pollet in unison and Wallingford said
{ out loud.
''I see no reason for concealins the
'act that have been discussing the
with a hotel syndicate" as
tented Mr.. Twist reluctantly.
"I'll not be party to It," suddenly
decided wailingford-
IT hope that you Will" urged Mr..
Twist. beginning TO be distressed. Il
lad no doubt that you would stand by
'our little joke since you had carried
{ so far. and. as n matter OF fact, l.
have already given it 10 the pa
,ers." 4
Paul Pollet was halfway across the |
loor when Wallingford stopped him.
What are you going TO DO. PollyY'
e demanded.
Get a hold Of those reporters" de- {
Jared Paul Indignantly. IF that gau. /
" little fake goes in you don't sup /
ose Biackie and ! are going TO allow
/ 10 be written by possible dubs. dc 1
our
whats the difference?' retorted {
II shall deny it. any {
ow. II that story is printed shall
tate that my engineers report the
roperly to be underisid with quick
and"
Great Scott walled Mr.. Twist, ex-
ding. why. you are fairly maiig-