The Ordway new era., 1917-10-05

I SO you. iooking 20 well. Permit M
to Introduce my friends. Baron Hurok
and Senior de Lima" "A
With his usual admirable address
Huroki recovered from his disgust OF
recognizing Parr. and Acknowledged
the latter's presence with a slight, COO
nod, turned to exhibit marked cordial
ity toward 'he general manager OF
Charming, Inc.
Then, the secretary placing chairs
for the party, they disposed themselves
to the business Of the hour.
Ignoring Donald completely-turn.
ing toward him cold shoulder which
served Its master Ill since It provided
Donald with an opportunity to place
Patria's chair near his own-the jap
anese buttered his selected victim with
his very best grade Of urbanity.
.It is pleasure to make the ac-
Quaintance of one with whom / am to
transact so much business" he averred
ito our great mutual profit, l trust"
'Tm sure hope So" Bertram agreed
pleasantly. But may I Inquire the
nature of the business?"
Miss Charming has not yet advised
you-?"
Bertram responded to Huroki's art
full look of surprise with one OF blank
non-comprehension.
"Then-permit me-perhaps these
papers will best explain"
Bertram accepted bundle Of legal
cap documents and leaned back in his
chair to examine them.
agreement between Charming, Inc,
and Senior Juan de Lima" he read
aloud the Endorsement on the upper
machine guns and muni-
tions for the do faeto government Of
Mexico"
He managed moment Of embar-
rassment. II am sorry, gentlemen, but
the strictly defined policy of Claiming.
Inc. does not permit us to accept these
II am sorry TO seem rude" Baron
Huroki said suavely; "but If you will
be good enough to examine the sigma
lures you will find that the president
Of Charming, Inc, has seen fit to re-
verse your policy"
Hastily unfolding the document In
hand, Bertram scrutinized the foot of
It's last page.
"channina, Inc, by Patria Charming,
he read, and hesitated, and
looked obviously at Patria. This Is
your signature, Miss Channing"
The girl, avoiding his gaze. muir
an affirmative.
You can hardly question Its genu-
Ineness," Huroki commented with a
lifted eyebrow. "You
surely do not mean to imply that the
signature could be forgery!"
mo" Bertram admitted mildly
mo. But I am surprised-yes. much
"But why?"
"Because-you know, of course, this
is dated yesterday; whereas
I hold here"--Bertram exposed the
paper Donald had given him at their
earlier interview IAN absolute power
Of attorney given Capt. Donald Parr
by Miss Patria Claiming ten days ago,
by which it appears that any and all
contracts signed by her and lacking
his counter-signature become automat-
cally invalid"
Even the racial serenity Of Baron
Huroki was hardly proof against this
blow. lie took q rather long moment
to recover.
"None the less" he said at length.
turning toward Donald. Captain Parr
will hardly withhold his signature
when Miss Claiming requests him to
affix it."
II am sorry" Donald said quietly.
Even should Miss Claiming command,
I must refuse"
captain PART" This was Patria's
an excellently simulated
cry of Indignation.
II nm sorry" Donald repeated firm
ly. But so long rs this power Of at
torney rests with me. and so long as
Japan conspires to embroil the United
States with Mexico. by way Of prepar-
Ing for the allied Jnpanese-MexIcan in
vasion of the Pacific Coast states-so
long, indeed, as Japan maintains
naval base at Magdalena bay-just SO
long will Channings refuse to sell arms
and ammunition to any Mexican fac
ton whatsoever"