The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-27

L
the old square, Dolly called him
up by telephone.
How could you disappoint me
so? The idea of your just pre-
tending to be burglar"
me, pretend?" Bob laughed.
II say, that's good. Didn't
tell you all along | wasn't?"
There was a brief pause. Are
you so disappointed in me, you
are going to disown me now?"
continued Bob.
! Moo. What are you doing this
evening""
II was sitting by the fire in
dads old-fashioned den, thinking
and dreaming"
What were you thinking Off"
Machinery. And a factory"
Miss Dolly thought.
j "I'll send you horseshoe to-
morrow, to hang over the factory
door," she laughed. And then
suddenly. as an afterthought: by
the way, | have 'fession to
make"
"All right. 'Fess ahead"
well, l don't suppose | really
and truly-deep down, you know
ACTUALLY ever did quite think
you were regular burglar.
guess it was the dramatic situa-
tion that appealed to me. I've
often thought | had 'histrionic
ability and you did make such
big, bold, handsome, darling
make-believe burglar to play
with, | just couldn't resist"
| II understand" said Bob. 81
guess-deep down. guessed as
much" And rang off.
Bob went back to the fireplace.
Was he dreaming now or only
thinking? Dolly's voice had taken
him hack to Mrs. Ralston's, and
the Goals now framed a face. He
looked quickly from them, his
: eyes following the smoke of his
pipe. But the smoke now framed
the face. Bob half-closed his eyes
an instant, then resolutely he
laid down his pipe and went to
bed. Work was his Incentive now
, hard work
| The next day he learned they
had lodged the promoter in Jail.
The big men had gone cunning
for him. an, as usual, they got
him. They got the "Utopian"
too.
| And after they had settled with
the promoter who had dared cross
the trail of the big interests in
his operations. they poked their
fingers into Utopian and discov-
cred that with "honest judicial
management" 1t might be con-
verified into property"
i The Utopian according now be-
gan to soar. There were plenty of
people who would sniff at il in it's
new aspect, and take bite, too.
That honest management" was
bait; that property" probability
became sure thing"
| Big names were iuggled in lit
L tie offices. The usual thing hap
lpened-just one of those common
occurrences hardly worth describ-
ing-only later 1t would probably
be included in congressional in
vestigation and there would be
few reverberations at Albany.
Bob pulled out in about two days.
i How'd you know" said the
broket.
], "Fellow feeling. Been called a
thief myself"
| What you want to buy now?
The next rankest thing | know of
is"
! Bob shook his head. Never
again. Good-by forever"
"Good-by," said the melan-
choly man. He thought he would
see Bob down there again some
day, but he never did. Bob went
to bank and opened an account.
lie wasn't exactly rich, but he
had nice comfortable feeling. He
leased the factory and then he
went to work. Dad came home.
He didn't seem much interested
In what Bob was doing. Bob got
up about 3 a. m, so he had to cut
all social functions, but dad didn't
arise until 8. Sometimes he had
his breakfast in bed and had his
man bring him the newspaper.
Bob didn't have a man, though he
soon began to prosper. The de-
vice was considered necessary in
the trade; 1t proved practical.
Once on Fifth ave., Bob passed
Miss Gerald. she was just getting
out of her car. An awful tempta-
tion seized him to stop, but he
managed to suppress it, for he
had himself fairly in hand by this
time. He saw they would almost
meet, but there were many people
and, in the press, he didn't have
to see her. So he didn't. He felt
sure she would cut him if he did.
Ii was the first foolish thing he
had done for some time; he real
lied that when he got away. But
what was he to do? He objected
to being cut, and by her, OF all
persons. He regretted the Incl
dent very much. II hurt his pride
and, of course, he had earned her
dislike.
Bob hied him factoryward and
toiled nightly that day. 1t was
work-work-though to what
end? III he only kneWi He had