The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1920-12-23

fHNX-ftX UtT w EAttNA ANt' 49,
went TO n small sideboard In one cor
ner and brought forth the materials,
as he jocularly termed them. James
appeared like magic with tray
classes and tiny serviettes, and the
colonels elixir was passed to the COM
pany
"Dee-lIcious." murmured Mrs Pound
stone. perfectly delicious. And not
strongm
"Have another" her hospitable host
suggested. and he poured It. quite OBJ
liylous of the frightened wink which
the mayor teIegraphed his wife. Pound
stone prayed to his rather nehulous
gods that Mrs. p. would not discuss
automobiles during the dinner.
AIasl The Colonies cocktails were
not unduly fortified but for all that.
the two which Mrs Poundstone had
assimiIated 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.
II was telling Henry as we came up
the walk how greatly envied you that
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 1t behooved him
to look after both. in view Of the high
cost of safety appliances. He was
warned that ire 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 she cable
snapped back like whip and"
~ 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, | assure you
your chances for success would be in
finitely brighter"
There was no mistaking this rebuke;
even two cocktails were powerless TO
render Mrs Poundstone oblivious to IL.
With the incest tact in the world. Shir~
ley adroitly changed the subject 2"
some tailored shirtwaists she had OBJ
served in the window OF local drA
goods emporium that day. and Mrs
Poundstone subsidized.
About nine o'clock. Shirley, in re-
Spouse to meaning glance from her
relative. tactfully conveyed Mrs.
Poundstone upstairs. leaving her uncle
alone with his prey. Instantly Pen.
nington got down TO business.
We'll" he aueried. apropos of moth
ing. what do you hear with reference
to the Northern California-Oregon rail-
road?'
"Oh. the usual amount of wind. Colo
nell 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 II. | don't mean to
be impairment" he added with a
gracious smile. "but the fact is ! no
tlced 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
fetal"
.'Social--so far as | could observe"
Poundstone replied truthfully. wonder
ing just how much Pennington knew.
Preliminary to the official visit. |
dare say"
The Colonel puffed thoughtfully for
while--for which the mayor was
grateful. since II provided time in
which 70 organize himself Suddenly.
however. Pennington turned toward
his guest and fixed the latter with e
serious glance.
al hadn't anticipated discussing this
matter with you. Poundstone, and you
must forgive me for It; but the fact is
Il might as well be frank with YOU
| am very greatly interested in the
operation of this proposed railroad. II
u is built. II viii have very distinct
effect on my finances"
in Just what way?"
Disastrous"
II am amazed, Colonel"
You wouldn't be If you had given the
subject very close consideration. Such
road as the N. c. O. contemplates
win tap about one-third of the red
wood belt only. while line built from
the south will tap two-thrds OF II. The
remaining third can be tapped by an
extension of my own logging road !:
when my own timber Is logged out 1
VIII want other business for my road
and If the N. G. o. parallels It. will
he left with two streaks of rust on my
hands"
"Ah. ! perceive. So II will. so II
win !"
You agree with me. then. Pound
stone. that the n. 9. o. is not designed
10 foster the best interests Of the
community or course you do. I take
1t, therefore, that when the N. @. O.