The Republican journal., 1920-06-17

what dignity she could muster. Have
it your own way I've tried to warn
you. Thank you for your offer of the
car shall he glad to use it. Uncle
Seth sold my car to Mayor Pound
stone last night. Mrs. p admired
it SOL"
"Ahl Then 1t 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 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 a strictly business basis
yet: and you mustn't waste my time"
you're horrid. 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 Moira about five minutes.
and drove away in the Napier Bryce
watched her 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 vexation.
God bless her!" he murmured.
"She's been my ally all along. and
never suspected it! l wonder what
her game can be-"
He sat musing for long time.
"Yes," he concluded presently. 'old
and Pennington made it worth his
while. And the Colonel sold the
mayor his niece's automobile. It's
worth twenty-five hundred dollars, at
least, and since old Poundstone's
finances will not permit such an ex-
travagance. I'm wondering how Pen
nington expects him to pay for it.
smell rat as big as a kangaroo. In
this case two and two don't make four.
They make six! Guess I'll build fire
under old Poundstone."
He took down the telephone re-
ceiver 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 tricks?"
"So-so! ] hear you've bought that
sedan from Col. Pennington's niece
Wish I'd known 1t was for sale. I'd
have outbid you. Want to make
profit on your bargain?"
mo, not this morning, Bryce. think
We'll keep it. Mrs. p has beer
wanting a closed car for long time,
and when the Colonel offered me this
one at bargain, I snapped it up"
"And you don't care to get rid Of it
at profit?' Bryce repeated.
"No, street"
"Oh, you're mistaken Mr. Mayor.
l think you do. would suggest that
you take that car back to Penning-
toms garage and leave it there. That
would be the most profitable thing
you could co."
"What-what-wha in blue blazeS
are you driving at?" the mayor sput-
tered
81 wouldn't care to discuss it over
the telephone take it. however, that
hint to the wise is sufficient: and |
warn you, mayor, that if YOU keep
that car it will bring YOU bad luck.
Today is Friday, and Friday is an IN
lucky dav. I'd get rid of that sedan
before noon if were YOU"
There was a long, fateful silence.
Then in singular small quaverins
voice: You think it best, Cardigan?"
81 do. Return it to No. IS Redwood
boulevard. and no questions will be
asked. Good-by!"
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
the opportunity to purchase it at such
a ridiculously low figure. Shirley
smiled. and put the car up in the
garage. When she returned to the
house her maid Thelma informed her
that Mr.. Bryce Cardigan had been
calling her on the telephone. So she
called Bryce up at once.
HAS Poundstone returned your
carr" he queried.
"Why, yes, What makes you ask?"
"Oh. l had suspicion he might.
You see. | called him up and suggest
ed it.; somehow his honor is peculiar
ly susceptible to suggestions from me,
and"
bryce Cardigan" she declared,
you're a sly rascal-that's what Won
are. shan't tell you another thing"
II hope you had stenographer at
the photograph when the mayor and
your uncle cooked up their little deal.
That was thoughtful of you, Shirley.
1t was a bully club to have I'D your
sleeve at the final showdown, for with
it you can make Unkiedunk behave
himself and force that compromise
you spoke of. Seriously, however |