Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-25
The Daily
Short Story
@DOUBLE PAR"

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notched iron nut screwed into
bolt, locked and prevented any
shifting or slipping. Now OF lock
nuts patented and otherwise there
were all kinds on the market, but
this one devised by the young in
yentor applied only TO certain re-
stricted machinery use and seemed
to fill the bill completely.
Ross received a good deal OF en-
couragement, but in seeking capital
found that he would have to give
fup the lions share.
So Ross opened a small but neat
office, listed as the fiscal agency of
the company, capitalized it for
SIS, 900, apportioned but $4,000 of
the same for public sale. Then he
advertised for a young lady secre-
tary.
Fate plays strange freaks and
by the merest chance Edna Deane
read that advertisement. She was
by no means the conventional bread
winner. She was living at the home
of her cousin Meta Boyd. tenn
porarily, and the family was
local leader socially and as to
means. Edna herself had a small
fortune and was domiciled with her
relatives during the absence of her
uncle on an extended trip in search
of health.
Edna was an orphan. She was not
like other girls. For two years she
had been an assistant in her uncle's
office, which, however, he had
closed during his absence.
Il have just answered an adver-
tisement for a secretary" she ad-
vised her cousin.
oh, never!" cried Nettie Boyd.
why, Edna, the social season is
just beginning and"
1t has no attraction for me-" de-
ciared Edna. 81 have been dull,
went away. | fancy business is my
sphere, dear. At all events | am
going to try position"
Two days later Edna was in
stalled in her position in the Ross
office. She liked its proprietor
from the first. He was a young man
whole soul was devoted to making
! a business success and, as Edna be-
came more familiar with his inven-
/ JUL. DIG uloNCI ACo Nh1b II hehu ANGA
merit and tangible prospects of
success.
The stock was advertised, but it
did not sell. Not being profess
sional promoter, the literature Ross
sent out made no extravagant
promises of enormous dividends.
"Mr. Ross" said Edna one day,
I have some friends who are
wealthy. l have the utmost faith
in your proposition and l was won
dering if I could not raise the
: money you need" and she amazed
him a week later by bringing in a
bulk sum of $4,000. His anxious
: face frightened.
THE stock is to be made out in
the name of Walter Bross," she
said He lives at Paxton and l
will attend to all the details.
Walter Bross was indeed an old
friend, in fact an aged relative with
whom Edna had been always a
great favorite, although she had
not seen him for two years.
And now you can build your
. plant" said Edna, jubilantly. and
the stock was entered on the books
of the company in the name of Wal
ter Bross.
, A new spirit of hope and ambi-
ton infused Alden Ross. Equip
ment OF the plant was begun. At
[ this new evidence of the validity
: OF the enterprise, as it began to
= turn out and receive liberal orders
) shy investors began to flock to the
: office to be informed that the full
= apportionmeht of stock had been
, disposed of. Two large manufac-
. turing concerns tried to negotiate
) with Ross for an interest at a
really opulent price.
) Miss Deane," spoke Ross one
5 day, as she came into the office
= from lucheon, "here is something
) l cannot understand. Yesterday
5 decided to accept the offer of the
= Livingtone Machine corporation OF
2 $50, 900 for a half interest in the
company. l telegraphed your in
t weston, Walter Bross, offering him
2 double par for his holdings, as the
, Livingstone people wished to buy
1 up all the stock outstanding. Mr.
= Gross wired back that he had never
D heard of the company and held
l none of its securities.
S Edna gasped, then her face
e flushed crimson. She stood sway
Y ing, embarrassed. partially recov-
z cred herself, went to her desk and
brought thence a little packet.
There is the Bross stock, Mr.
, Ross, she said in subdued tone
= and | have a confession TO make
: l purchased that stock and placed
it in the name of Mr.. Bross without
. advising him, fearing you would
: not care to do business with {
woman"
with such a woman as you, Il
whom / owe all my success anC
fortune!" cried Ross.
We'll, | showed my good judg
ment in investing in a 100 per cen
a deal, didn't II" challenged Edna
y with a radiant smile.
S You shall not only retain th'
n stock but have one-fourth inter
d est in the business" insisted Ross
8 There quivered on his lipe thu
s words of love he could hardly re
e press. but he felt that the time TO
= confession was not yet propitious
8 1t was bound to arrive, however
e and a little later their mutual bus
e mess and love interests were har
e moniously united.
Menu Hint.
= BREAKFAST.
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