, 1916-01-06

morning that Mr.. Peale roughly copied
Off the totals from our books" said
Rodney.
II try to keep up with every detail
of the business" chirped Peale.
Rodney passed out the pink state
ment.
There vol are, father" he said.
Him, liabilities S133.13. assets S22.-
S1S," read Mr.. Martin.
And 8 cents" added Peale.
That's a remarkably good showing"
admitted Mr.. Martin. well, I'll give
you $4,000 for your business as 1t
stands"
Rodney took a good hold Of himself.
But we don't want to give up our
business he protested. II like bust
ness. | wish you'd made me go into 1t
years ago. father"
"We wish to continue In our chosen
profession added Peale grandly.
well, suppose you take % per cent
of the profits" suggested Mr.. Martin.
Its wonderful weather, isn't 1t"
said Rodney; these crisp, cold. 'bracing
mornings?'
We'll. l hardly thought you'd grab
at that" said Martin. what will you
take?"
Rodney rose to the occasion quickly.
One hundred thousand dollars cash.
he said; you assume all the contracts
and obligations of this company, give
US 40 per cent Of the profits, a contract
for me at 10000 u year. for Miss Gray
son at S1~0,0O0"-Peale coughed audibly
hnhfnI hip, 49, aud a.athor |or NJ Deal,
at the same figure"
Mr.. Martin looked at the two e a
moment, chewing his cigar.
Done he said finally. He could
see, out of the corner Of his eye, Peale
and Rodney exchange looks and shake
hands. Well, he had come down to
buy them out.
81 congratulate you, father Rodney
said.
You needn't" said Mr.. Martin. AS
u business proposition | don't think
much Of it, but l guess it'll show old
John Clark he can't butt into my fam
my boys business"
Yes, father. we'd much rather have
you than Ellery,' asserted Rodney.
"Oh. much rather" echoed Peale.
This important deal was no sooner
agreed on than Miss Burke came in in
opportunity and conveyed to Rodney
the Information hat the agent of the
landlord wanted to see him at once.
YES" said Rodney. You see. IA
Their, we're thinking of taking larger
Offices" he added. Come, Peale.
yUa3I h. rivbt hnnl fatbnrH
Eyes, father, we'll be right back"
echoed Peale as they went out.
Mr.. Martin stood there watching
them proudly.
Bully kldr' he said; then changing
to a contemptuous tone "Ellery
Clark
Well, that was a load of his mind at
any rate. he reflected contentedly. or
course he had bought a pig in n poke.
more or less. You couldn't tell wheth-
ersthelr books were carefully audited
or not. If Mary Grayson kept them
they were probably pretty straight.
He was glad to have the boy back any
way. And there would be no
sandwich men parades.
Altogether he was in a quite mellow
mood when Mary Grayson opened the
door and came in. From the look on
her face she was glad to see him and
extraordinarily relieved too. Alas for
the soap kingl He did not realize how
short his satisfaction was to be.
why, Mr.. Martini cried Mary hap
oily.
"Hello, Miss GraysonT' he said.
Its mighty good to see you again"
"Oh, Nh Martin," responded Mary,
I'm so glad Rodney finally ent for
your
"sent for me?" repeated Mr.. Martin
In surprise.
"Have you talked to himr'
"Oh, yes. He's just gone out for a
minute to see the agent Of the land
lord"
"oh, then he told you about that
tooT'
"Yes, he told me. Why notT" asked
Mr.. Martin, puzzled.
"Oh, Tm so glad you've settled with
him. You have settled. haven't your
"Yes; sure
"Oh, good! Isn't 1t wonderful for
him?'
The relief In Mary's voice was gen
uine, absolutely. as Ambrose Peale
would have said. Poor Mary had had
a trying day. There had been that
dreadful man Jones to begin with.
Rodney's $500 check must have gone
through the clearing house in double
quick time. Mary had thought. as the
advertising dun appeared again. The
fact was. it seemed hat he had gone
to the bank to get it certified and was
furious to find that there were no
funds there of the 10 Soap company to
meet 1t with. He roared loudly about
the sheriff. Unless the check was
mazda GOOD at his office I'm an hour he