The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-04-21

see you looking so well. Permit me
to introduce my friends, Baron Huroki
and Senior de Lima"
With his usual admirable address,
Huroki recovered from his disgust on
recognizing Parr, and acknowledging
the latter's presence with a slight, cool
nod, turned to exhibit marked cordial.
ity toward the general manager of
Claiming, 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 a cold shoulder which
served Its master i'll since it provided
Donald with an opportunity to place
Patria's chair neal his own-the JAP
anese buttered his selected victim with
his very best grade of urbanity.
at is a pleasure to make the ac-
quaintance of one with whom 1 am to
transact so much business he averred
ITO u great mutual profit, 1 trust"
"Im sure I hope So" Bertram agreed
pleasantly. But may / inquire the
nature of the businessT"
Miss Claiming 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 a 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
most-"re machine guns and NUM-
tons for the de facto government of
Mexico"
He managed a moment of embar-
rassment. Il am sorry, gentlemen, but
the strictly defined policy of Claiming,
Inc, does not permit us to accept these
contracts"
81 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 seer fit to re-
verse your policy"
Hastily unfolding the document in
hand, Bertram scrutinized the foot of
its last page.
"channing, Inc, by Patria Claiming,
President" he read, and hesitated, and
looked obviously at Patria. "This is
your signature, Miss Channing?"
The girl, avoiding his gaze, MUIR
INJURED an affirmative.
you can hardly question its genu-
ineness," Huroki commented with a
superciliously lifted eyebrow. you
surely do not mean to imply that the
signature could be a forgery"
NO." Bertram admitted mildly
mo. But 1 IN surprised-yes, much
surprised"
But why?"
"Because-you know, of course, this
contract is dated yesterday; whereas
l 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-
ically invalid"
Even the racial serenity of Baron
Huroki was hardly proof against this
blow. He took a 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."
81 am sorry" Donald said quietly.
Even should Miss Claiming command,
| must refuse"
captain Parr!" This was Patria's
contribution, an excellently simulated
cry of indignation.
81 am sorry" Donald repeated firm
ly. But so long as 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 Japanese-Mexican in
vasion of the Pacific Coast states-so
long, indeed, as Japan maintains a
naval base at Magdalena bay-just SO
long will Channings refuse to sell arms
and ammunition to any Mexican fac
ton whatsoever !"
W ~