The Glenwood post., 1916-01-01
A BUSINESS DEAL
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

ulCuArO ADRIAN was T1Cn bachelor.
That was why he was on the list of
every concern in America that had
something to sell. His daily mail was
chock-full of advertisements of all
kinds, from pastry flour to gold mines.
And he was hourly besieged by agents
OF both sexes who insisted upon show
ing him "only editions" and improved
razors.
Mike, the office boy, was able to dis
suade too persistent males, but Dor
othy Darlington was prepared for
Mike. She had heard of him, and,
arming herself for the ball game,
Mike went down an easy victim.
Richard Adrian had decided that it
was near enough to noon to escape
from involuntary incarceration, as he
always referred to his Office, when
Dorothy breezed in and shut the door.
How do you do? Please don't
blame your boy for letting me in. He
couldn't help it. I'm sorry If you
were getting ready to go home, be-
cause l can't afford many ball-game
tickets, you know"
I'm sorry l can't ask you to sit
down. You see l must get away i'm
mediately." This was the prettiest
one yet, and he had no desire to ex-
ercise his masculine wits against
beauty in need.
"Oh, am SO sorry. l wanted to sell
you some life insurance"
Great Scott! I've got twenty-five
thousand that l don't need. Besides,
+, I'm rot married, and haven't any wife
to leave it to-
But couldn't you get married?"
Yes, yes! l suppose so. Well, sit
down, Miss Darlington. I'll take five
thousand of your insurance, but we'll
say-in favor Of my sister, to be trans
ferred just as soon as can find a
suitable wife"
How lovely!" exclaimed Dorothy.
searching for papers in her bag. l
think am going to like the insurance
business"
Two months later Dorothy had to
get past Mike again. Never mind
how she managed it, but she did.
This time she was asked to sit
down. But, really, cannot take
any more insurance, Miss Darlington.
I've made all my second cousins bene-
ficiaries now"
But 1t isn't insurance this time,'
she declared. "It's house. I'm SELL
ing real estate now. Nobody but you
would take any insurance."
But, l don't want house, either.
I'm not married. you see, and"
"Oh, haven't you got a wife yet?
You said you would, so I supposed
you had. I'm just crazy about it my
self. All porches and gables and a
sun parlor and lawn and a garden.
l have picture of it here. There!
Isn't it beautiful? Only the colors
don't show up-the flowers and grass
and trees, mean
Richard looked harder at the flushed
cheeks and shining eyes than he did
at the picture, but it really was an
attractive house. 1t was q fine day,
and his car was at the curb.
Il won't promise to buy the place,
but l might take look at it. Miss
Darlington. won't you go with me
in my car and show it to me?"
The house was all that Dorothy
claimed, and Richard Adrian enjoyed
the excursion immensely. Not a
bad speculation" he thought. Il be-
lieve I'll take it over"
So the deal was made and things
settled down as before.
Some weeks later Mike opened the
Office door. "A lady to see you, sir"
he announced. ra .1- .fN
Il am SO glad to- find you in," ex-
claimed Dorothy Darlington, as Rich
ard Adrian Hospitality held out his
hand and protfered a chair.
And am glad you came, Miss
Darlington. There is only one thing
I am sorry for-that cannot buy an
other house. You see l am property
poor now. and" .Yeet I
But I'm not selling houses this
time. I'm in the jewelry business
now. I've brought catalogue and
thought you might want something
for your-wife, If you have one YETI"
"No, I'm not married yet"
ooh! Aren't you? l was sure you
would be by this time. And there are
such beautiful things here in the book
pendants, brooches. bracelets and
rings. I'm crazy about all of them
myself"
Richard looked at her oddly. "Your
enthusiasm is certainly contagious" !"
he said. Wont you tell me what you
like best?"
She bent over and touched the open
pages here and there where jeweled
ornaments were pictured.
"And what ring do you like best?"
This one!" She turned a few
pages and pointed to ruby and dia,
mond set together.
Richard looked at her softly waving
hair under the becoming little hat,
her clear, velvety skin, and her frank
blue eyes. He had been dreaming