The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-10
Eoening Story
Bluffing Uncle James.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

Philip Merrill threw down the let
ter in disgust What the, Why
the -" He refrained from COM
plotting his sentences in Difference to
his secretary, Miss Cowles, who sat
watching him in astonishment.
my uncle absolutely refuses to lend
US that money which would put US
on our feet, unless-well, read for
yourself his idiotic foolishness:" He
thrust the letter under her nose, and,
hands in his pockets, began a neees-
sarily limited walk Up and down his
small office like the pacing of an
angry lion in his cage.
Marjory Cowlcs read thru the letter
twice with businesslilSe precision:
my Dear Nephew:
II was interested in your state
ment of the assets and liabilities of
your business of the moment. But
I do not forget that you have been
enthusiastic over various other en-
terpriscs. When you give any evil
dence of settling down, by getting
married, for instance. 1 shall be
more Convinced of your seriousness.
and be glad to help you. BY the
way. if you are married, let me
know. 1 might alter the case. Your
affectionate uncle,
JAMES B. CHASE
I'm sorry, Mr.. Merrill" she said,
then added with a sigh, IF only he
could have seen his way to making
the loan, it would have meant such
loti'
"a lott" echoed Phillip. swhy. it
would mean all the difference between
pulling thru or going under!"
Marjory Cowles had been associated
with the Goodfit Tire company since
its incipiency, and had been thru so
many of its I'D and downs that she
had acquired some of the privileges
of a partner without its responsipiil-
ties. Now she pondered the situation
with half-closed eyes, and pencil tap
ping her firm red lips.
; "There-there isn't anyone you
would want to marry on short no
tice?" She hoped her employer didn't
hear the beating of her treacherous
heart as she waited for the answer
she had been longing to know ever
since her discovery that Phillip had
the most attractive blue eyes of any
man she had ever seen.
Indeed there isn't" declared Phil
lip, so emphatically that her heart
beat faster than ever.
Marjory was about TO remark that
his uncle was evidently eccentric,
Il have it. And he deserves it for
being SO peculiar and tight-fisted.
Please take this letter." And he was
debating before she had picked up
her pad and pencil.
Dear Uncle. James-You want to
know if I am married. Well, am
I? I wish you could see my wife
Chats true enough, Miss Cowles.
1 wish he could, and tell me what
she's liked If you will reconsider
the making of that loan 1 assure
you you will never regret it. Yours.
p. s.-If the wife knew I was
f-t AL hA a
send her love-"
Il am going out for lunch now. Get
that letter off as soon as possible.
please" And Rhillip took down his
coat and hat and went out.
Left alone, Marjorie sat for a mo-
ment- idly wondering how the affair
would turn out, and absent-mindedly
testing one of her pencils with scrib-
blings on a sheet of typewriter paper
lying on the desk. Then she rose,
things out and took from
the drawer the few sandwiches and
an apple which made up her midday
meal, after which she got down to
the business of getting off that letter
in time for the mail.
Three weeks later Phillip sat at his
desk figuring the extent of his smash
up about to occur and wondering why
he had not heard from his uncle,
when he was interrupted by the jangle
of the telephone bell.
You take it, Miss Cowles," he said
Marjory took down the receiver,
then almost dropped it. His Uncle
James? Pil-Tn tell him"
But there was no need. Phillip had
risen and stood as one petrified. His
Uncle James come all these miles to
the business! That meant
surely that he would loan the
money. Joyfully he took the receiver
from Marjory's hand, not observing