The Dolores star., 1921-03-11

hard for me to be friendly with you"
~ don't want to be friendly with
you. You're driving me crazy. Shir-
ley. Please run nloDg 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 go 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 TO-DAY.
for l noticed the mayor riding to his
office In your sedan this morning."
She tried to look outraged. but for
the life of her she could not take Of
fense at his bluntness; neither did she
resent a look which she detected In
his eyes. even though II told her he
was laughing Mt her
"Oh. very we'll" she replied with
what dignity she could muster. Have
II your own way. I've tried to warn
you. Thank you for your offer Of the
car I shall be glad to use 1t. Uncle
Seth sold my car to Mayor Pound
stone last night. Mrs. p admired
It so,''
"Ahl Then It was that rascaffy
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 a rat and
hurried down to the crossingT
Possibly. The Poundstones dined
at our house last night"
"Pretty hard on you. I should saf I.
But then l 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, WIS.,
tied with MoIra about Ave minutes,
and drove away In the Napier. Bryce
watched her through the window. She
knew he was watching her. but never
theiess 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 nliy all along. and I
never suspected 1t! I wonder what
her game can be-"
He snt musing for long time.
yes" he concluded presently. 'old
POundstone has dOuble-crOssed us
and Pennington made 1t 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-
travagnnce. I'm wondering how Pen.
nington expects him to pay for 1t.
smell rat as big as kangaroo. In
this case two and two don't make four.
They make six! Guess I'll build a Are
under old Poundstone"
He took down the telephone re-
ceivcr and called up the mayor.
"Rryce Cardigan speaking. Mr.. Pound
stone" he greeted the chief executive
Of Sequoia.
"Oh. hello. Bryce. my boy" Pound
stone doomed afrably. "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 a
profit on your bargainf"
mo. not this morning. Bryce. think
we'll keep 1t. Mrs. P has been
wanting a closed car for a long time.
and when the Colonel offered me this
one at bargain. snapped 1t up"
"And you don't care to get rid Of II
at a profit" Bryce repeated.
mo. street"
"Oh. you're mistaken. Mr.. Mayor.
I think you do. I would suggest that
you take that car back to PennIng.
tons garage and leave 1t there. That
would be the most profitable thing
you could Go."
'What-what-whn In blue blazes
are you driving at?" the mayor sput-
tered.
81 wouldn't care to discuss 1t over
the telephone. take II, however, thnt
hint to the wise Is sufficient; and |
warn you mayor, that II you keep
that car 1t will bring you bad luck.
Today is Friday and Friday Is an un-
lucky day. I'd get rid of that sedan
before noon II were you"
There was long, fateful silence.
Then In singular small. quavering
voice: "You think 1t best. Cardigan"
~ do. Return 1t to No. 3S Redwood
boulevard, md 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. informas. her that
after thinking the ms. s.ter over, Mrs.
PoundstOne had decided the Pound
stone family could not afford such an
extravaganza. and accordingly tho car
was returned with mnny thanks for
the opportunity to purchase 1t at such
q rIdIclOusly low H0ura ch,-,