Oxford Democrat., 1916-08-01

Their Palace
For Two
How She Solved the
-7 Problem
By VICTOR LAURISTON
-, h,neox, No
By VICTOR LAURISTON
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co

Tom Ringing was bound to buy the
big Warkworth place. while his aan-
Gee wanted the Pine avenue cottage,
worth only $500. Tom was determined,
and Ethel with a woman's gift for
diplomacy, went to Silas Sharpley, the
agent with whom he was negotiating.
to head him of. Sharpley offered her
the house at IN advance Of what he
had been offered, she paying him $25
to close the bargain. He also offered
her an option for thirty days. While
he was talking Ethel was doing lot
of thinking.
By taking the option she would save
money anyway. And long before thirty
days she would be Mrs. Tom Ringing,
and Tom, debarred from buying the big
house, would compromise on the Pine
avenue cottage and be saved the harass-
ing, crushing burden Of a costly house.
She disliked very much to cross Tom
In his wish. but she dreaded the bur
den of debt the cost Of the big house
would place them under at the very
outset of their matrimonial career. So
she made up her mind and was ready
when the agent had finished his talk.
"I'll do that. Mr.. Sharpley," she de-
clared eagerly.
Mr.. Sharpley drew from his desk a
contract for purchase and filed In the
blanks. She signed it tfiumphantly.
then glanced up at Sharpley.
Remember, Mr.. Sharpley"-she held
up warning finger-''if Mr.. Ring-if
any one asks who Is buying the place
you mustn't mention my name.
don't want 1t known. But you can
say"-she smiled-'that the place Is
held at-at $4,000"
Sharpley grinned.
Tom came that evening with brow
black as a thundercl0ud. The girl
faced him In embarrassed silence.
"Just my luck" he growled moodily.
"Some one has slipped In ahead Of me
and snatched up Magma Villa at $10O
advance"
"And now we'll buy the cottage
cried Ethel jubilantly.
"Cottager he exclaimed, his tone red
olent Of utter disgust. "Cottagel"
She suddenly decided not to urge her
views till more opportune moment
Responding next afternoon to the
summons Of the doorbel she found
herself face to face with Sias Sharp.
ley.
Mr.. Sharpley smiled ingratiatingly.
"Just thought I'd drop in and close
up matters" he suggested. "I"-
"But I've thirty days" the girl pro,
tested quickly.
"Of course-Of course" He rubbed
his hands together. "But there are SO
many things to do-transfer the mort.
gage, and search the title. and arrange
for financing the balance Of the pur-
chase price under the agreement
that
"The agreement She stared al
him. "Why, all signed was an op'
ton."
IAN agreement to purchase" return.
ed Mr.. Sharpley, apologetic. yet posi-
tive.
"You remember l read 1t oil over to
you-purchase to be completed within
thirty days. twenty-five dollars paid
on account to bind the bargain. Mrs
Warkworth has signed, too, so there's
nothing in the way Of closing up the
deal at once"
Ethel had stood thus far with lips
frozen dumb. Now she found voice to
protest.
"But, Mr.. Sharpley, never intended
to purchase
"You signed the agreement, Miss
Grafton, and 80 did Mrs. Warkworth
and on the strength of 1t she's rented
already and Is taking up the carpets
1 hope you're not afraid Of your bar
gain," he added ingratiatingly.