Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-01-06

Martin himself wound all the CLOCKS
In the house every Sunday morning at
exactly half past o, when the hands
did not interfere with the keyholes.
But | don't want it" said Mary in
response to his ungracious proposition.
"Oh, then, Rodney has sent you to
plead for him." suggested Mr. Martin.
mo, sir" said Mary. "He doesn't
know I'm here"
"Then what are you here forF' ne
demanded, really curious.
"To make you business PROPOSE
tion." said Mary stoutly.
"Why doesn't Rodney make 1t him
self? asked his father.
"He doesn't know what 1t is" ex-
planned Mary.
That's something in his favor"
Martin conceded. Il can't see much
use in women tying up in mems busl-
ness. Somehow love the scallawag,
and, - 1t, miss him around here!
He looked at Mary curiously as he
said this, wondering how she and Rod
ney were getting along these days and
what her errand really was, though he
didn't propose to give away his inter
est In it. She had betrayed the true
nature Of things to him once. What
was she going to do now?
His reflections and Mary's business
were interrupted, however, by John
sons entering q second time and an
nouncing the last two people In the
world that Mary had counted on,
namely, Mr.. Rodney Martin and Mr..
Ambrose Peale
"Oh, the whole firm, eh?' said Mr..
Martin, cycling Mary sharply.
Mary started guiltily. For a moment
she feared that Rodney might bark
back to that $1,000 check his father
had given her and grow jealous again
She couldn't pretend to be pleased to
see him, despite her sentimental re-
Elections just now downstairs. She had
wanted to handle this interview in her
own way Shelf as If she could have
done it right. convincingly, just as
hunter feels within himself that he can
clear the hurdle that looms ahead.
Now, here were Rodney and Ambrose
to interfere with her and Ambrose Of
course would interrupt and switch her
off and perhaps irritate the old gentle
man with his advertising talk. He
couldn't help 1t. Ambrose would pop
out of his Jack In the box instanter
If you sprang the subject of soap and
advertising.
Old Mr.. Martin surveyed all three of
them grlmly, just long enough to let
embarrassment set In on all their faces.
His eyes rested on Mary last of all.
and longest A fairly perceptible
change crept round his firm old
mouth as he did so. He was satisfied
the little mink had told him the truth
about Rodney's not knowing anything
as to her mission here, and indeed.
when the boy came In and saw her
there, he exclaimed In genuine sur
prise:
"why, Mary, what are you doing
here?"
Mary thought fast moment, and evil
IDENTIFY decided that the best part of
diplomacy this time was the truth.
81 came to tell your father about
Brown s. James" she said frankly.
Rodney looked relieved.
THAT'S why we're here too he said.
Absolutely" added Peale.
"Well what is 1t about Brown &
JamesT clustered Martin. Let me
tell you right now, l won't back any
fake company"
But we're not a fake any longer"
protested Rodney.
We've actually sold some soap"
chimed in Peale.
FIFTY thousand cakes" Mary ex-
planned impressively.
ITO Brown & James," said Rodney.
"Then why did you send EN- only
five thousand cakesY' inquired old
Martin bluntly.
Rodney looked astonished. but an
Iwered promptly:
Because after we'd got that much
from one of your branch factories you
shut off our supply"
"And we couldn't get any more soap
anywhere" said Peale plaintively.
And you knew 1t very WELL" Mary
said accusingly.
We've still got 5000 cakes to de
liver If we can get EN- from you
went on Rodney. why let all that
money get out Of the family?" he plead
ed. ITS a business proposition"
mo. it isn't" said the father.
Don't fool yourself / sent that tele
gram"
what telegram asked Rodney.
1.-The telegram from Brown & James
ordering the $4,000 cakes" grunted old
Martin.
Mary pumped down on a chair in
dismay.
"You sent itg" she gasped.
q.