Cleveland County herald., 1920-09-16

you again. Bryce, you make 1T very hard for nc to be friendly with you"
 q 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 so 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. I suppose you're afoot today, for I noticed the mayor riding toN ms office in your sedan this morning.
 She tried to look outraged, but Tor the life of her she could not take Of | fense at his bluntuess neither did she resent look which she detected ID his eyes, even though it told her he was laughing at her.
 "Oh, very we'll" she replied with what dignity she could muster. Have it your own way. I've tried to warn you. Thank you for your offer of the car. I shall be glad to use it. U+.cie l Seth sold my ear to Mayor Pound 1 stone last night Mrs. P- admired l it sol"
 "Ah! Then it was that rascally l Tombstone who told your uncle about 1 the temporary franchise, thus arousing his suspicious to such an extent that when he heard his locomotive rum. bling into town, he smelled a rat anG hurried down to the crossingY
 Possibly. The Poundstones dinee at our house last night
 "Pretty hard on you, I should say, But then I 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 horrid. Bryce Cardigan"
 You're adorable Good morning"
 You'll be sorry for this" she warned him. Good morning" She passed out into the general office. viS' ited with Moira about five minutes, and drove away in the Napier. Bryce watched her through the window. She knew ne 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.
 "Gods bless her!" he murmured "She's been my ally all along, and never suspected it! l wonder what i. her game can be-"
 He sat musing for a long time "Yes," he concluded presently, "ole Tombstone has doube-crossed us and Pennington made it worth his while. And the Colonel sold tha mayor his niece,s automobile. It's worth twenty-five. hundred dollars, at least, and since old Poundstonea travagance. I'm wondering how Pen. nington expects him to pay for 1t. l smell rat as big as Il kangaroo. In this case two and two don't make four. They make six! Guess I'll build fire under old Tombstone"
 Llt lOOh NONH tllC ttl'lfilOlit AN- ceiver and called up the mayor. Bryce Cardigan speaking, MT. Pound stone," he greeted the chief executive of Sequoia.
 "Oh, hello. Bryce, my boy" Pound stone boomed affably. "How's tricks?"
 "So-so! hear you've bought that sedan from Col. Pennington's niece. Wish I'd known it was for sale. I'd have outbid you. Want to make profit on your hargain?"
 No, not this morning, Bryce. think we'll keep it. Mrs. P--- has beer and when the Colonel offered me this one at bargain, I snapped it up"
 And you don't care to get rid of II at proft?" Bryce repeated.
 "No, siree.''
 "Oh. you're mistaken, Mir Mayor. you take tkat car back to Penning- tons garage and leave it there. That would be the most profitable thing you could Go."
 "What-What-wh in hlue blazes are you driving at?" the mayor sput tered.
 q wouldn't care to discuss it over the telephone. I take it, however, that a hint to the wise is sufficient; and l warn you. mayor, that if you keep that car 1t will bring you bad luck Today is Friday, and Friday is an m lucky day. I'd get rid of that sedan before noon if I were you"
 There was q long, fateful silence Then in a singular small, quavering voice: "You think it best. Cardigan?"
 q do. Return it to No. 3S 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 eochere and d brief note, left with the butler, informed her that after thinking the matter over. Mrs. Tombstone had decided the Round