The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-16


81 don't want to be friendly with
you. You're driving me crazy, Shir-
ley. Please run along home. or wher-
ever you're bound. I've tried to under
stand your peculiar code, but you're
too deep for me so let me go my way
TO the devil George Sea otter is out
side asleep In the tonneau of the car.
Tell him to drive you wherever you're
| going. ! suppose you're afoot today.
for | noticed the mayor riding to his
office in your sedan this morning"
She tried to look outraged but for
the life of her she could not take Of
fense at his bluntness neither did she
resent look which she detected in
his eyes, even though 1t told her he
was laughing at her
"Oh, very well,' she replied with
what dignity she could muster. "Have
1t your own way. I've tried to warn
you. Thank you for your offer of the
car. shall be glad to use 1t. Uncle
Seth sold my car to Mayor Pound
stone last night. Mrs. p admired
1t sor
"Ah! Then II was that rascally
Poundstone who told your uncle about
the temporary franchise. thus arousing
his suspicious to such an extent that
when he heard his locomotive rum
bling into town, he smelled n rat and
hurried down to the crossing"
Possibly. The Poundstones dined
at our house last night"
Pretty hard on you, should say.
But then | suppose you have to play
the game with Uncle Seth. Well,
good morning, Shirley. Sorry to hurry
you away, but you must remember
we're on strictly business basis
yet; and you mustn't waste my time"
You're horrld, Bryce Cardigan"
You're adorable Good morning"
You'll he sorry for this" she
warned him. 'Good morning" She
passed out into the general Office, Wis
tied with Moin about Ave minutes,
and drove away in the Napier. Bryce
watched der through the window. she
knew he was watching her, but never
theless she could not forbear turning
round to verify her suspicious. When
she did, he waved his sound arm at
her, and she flushed with vexatlon.
"God bless her" he murmured.
"She's been my ally all along, and
never srspected i'll l wonder what
her game Wn he"
He sat DBsing for long time.
Yes he co@r;Uded presently, ''old
FOundstone has 1aable-cr crossed US
and Pennington nrale II worth his
while. And the Colonel sold the
mayor his p!ece's automobile. It's
worth twenty-five hundred dollars at
least and since old Poundstouc's
finances will not permit such an ex-
travagance, I'm wondering how Fen
blngton expects him to pay for 1t I
smell rat as big as kangaroo In
this cnse two and two don't make four.
They make six Guess I'll build a fire
under old POundstone."
He took down the telephone re-
celver and called up the mayor.
"Bryce Cardigan speaking, Mr.. Pound
stone" he greeted the chief executive
of Sequoia.
"oh. hello, Bryce, my boy" Pound
stone doomed affably. "How's tricksP"
"So-so. hear you've bought that
sedan from Col. Pennington's niece.
Wish I'd known II was for sale. I'd
have outbid you. Want to make
profit on your bargain?"
mo, not this morning, Bryce. think
NJ \
wanting n closed car for long time,
and when the Colonel offered me this
one at bargain. I snapped 1t up"
"And you don't care to get rid OF Il
at a, profit?" Bryce repeated.
"NO. sireel"
think you do. would suggest that
you take that car back to Penning.
toms garage and leave II there. That
would be the most profitable thing
you could DO"
"What-what-wha In blue blazes
are you driving atY the mayor sput-
tered
81 wouldn't care to discuss It over
the telephone. take II, however, that
a hint to the wise is sufficient; and I
warn you, mayor, that II you keep
that car 1t will bring you bad luck.
Today is Friday, and Friday is an un-
lucky day. I'd get rid OF that sedan
before noon II I were you"
There was long, fateful silence.
Then In tngular small, quaverlng
voice: "You think II best, Cardigan?"
81 do. Return 1t to No. 3S Redwood
boulevard, and no questions VIII be |
asked. Good-byw
When Shirley reached home at noon,
she found her car parked in front OF
the porte cochere; and a brief note,
left with the butler, informed her that
after thinking the matter over. Mrs.
Poundstone had decided the Pound. !
stone family could not afford such an
extravaganza. and accordingly the car
was returned with many thanks for