The Republican journal., 1920-06-03

"Mayor Poundstone and Mrs. Pound
stone."
nounced SOnOrOuSly: Mayor Pound
stone and Mrs. Poundstone."
"Glad to see you aboard the ship"
Colonel Pennington doomed with his
best air of hearty expansiveness.
"Well, WELL" he continued, leading
Mrs. Poundstone to a divan in front of
the fire, "this is certainly delightful.
of lambs tail. Have a cigarette, Mr..
Poundstone."
In the midst of the commonplace
chatter incident to such occasions. Shir-
ley entered the room; and the Colonel
leaving her to entertain the guests.
went to small sideboard in one cor
ner and brought forth the materials"
as he jocularly termed them. James
appeared like magic with tray
glasses and tiny serviettes, and the
Colonel's elixir was passed to the COM
pany.
"Dee-licious," murmured Mrs. Pound
stone. "Perfectly delicious. And not
strong"
Have another" her hospitable host
suggested, and he poured it. quite OBJ
livious of the frightened wink which
the mayor telegraphed his wife Pound
stone prayed to his rather nebulOuS
gods that Mrs. P would not discuss
automobiles during the dinner.
Alas! The Colonel's cocktails were
not unduly fortified. but for all that,
the two which Mrs. Poundstone had
assmilated contained just sufficient
"kick" to loosen the lady's tongue
without thickening it. Consequently.
about the time the piece de resist
ance" made its appearance, she threw
caution to the winds and adverted to
the subject closest to her heart
81 was telling Henry as we came up
the walk how greatly envied you thar
beautiful sedan. Miss Sumner" she
gushed. How an open Car does blow
one around, my dear!"
Eyes, indeed" said Shirley inno-
Gently.
Heard the McKinnon people had a
man killed up in their woods yester-
day, Colonel" Poundstone remarked
hoping against hope to divert the con-
versation.
Eyes. The fellows own fault" Pen
nington replied. HE was one of those
employees who held to the opinion
that every man is the captain of his
own soul and the sole proprietor of his
own body-hence that it behooved him
to look after both. in view of the high
cost of safety appliances. He was
warned that the logging cable was
weak at that old splice and liable to
pull out of the becket-and sure enough
it did. The free end of the cable
snapped back like whip. and"
81 hold to the opinion" Mrs. Pound
stone interrupted that if one wishes
for thing hard enough and just Keeps
on wishing, one is bound to get It,"
"My dear" said Mr.. Poundstone
impressively, "if you would only con-
fine yourself to wishing, l assure you
your chances for success would be in
finitely brighter"
There was no mistaking this re5uke;
even two cocktails were power;eSs to
render Mrs. Poundstone oblivious to it.
With the incest tact in the world Sbir-
ley adroitly changed the subject to
some tailored shirtwaists she had OBJ
served in the window of local dry
goods emporium that day, and Mrs.
Poundstone subsidized.
About nine o'clock, Shirley, In re-
spouse to a meaning glance from her
relative. tactfully conveyed Mrs.
Poundstone upstairs, leaving her uncle
alone with his prey. Instantly Pen
nington got down to business.
"Well." he queried. apropos of moth
ing, what do you hear with reference
to the Northern California Oregon rail-
road7"
"Oh. the usual amount Of wind. Colo
mel. Nobody knows what to make Of
that outfit"
Pennington studied the end Of his
cigar a moment
Have they made any move to get a
franchise?" he asked bluntly. IF they
have. suppose you would be the first
man to hear about It. l don't mean to
be impertinent." he added with q
gracious smile, "but the fact is I no
ticed that windbag Ogilvy entering
your Office in the city hall the other
afternoon, and couldn't help wonder
ing whether his visit was social or Of
ncial."
"Social-so far as could observe"
Poundstone replied truthfully, wonder
ing just how much Pennington knew.
preliminary to the official visit. l
dare say"
The Colonel puffed thoughtfully for
q while-for which the mayor was
grateful since 1t provided time In
which to organize himself Suddenly.