Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-02-04

Il 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; 50 let me 20 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. / suppose you're afOOt today,
for / 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
Tense at his Guinness /; neither did she
resent a look which she detected in
his eyes. even though 1t told her he
was laughing at her.
ooh, very WELL" she replied with
what dignity she could muster. Have
1t your own way. I've tried to warn
you. Thank you for your offer Of the
car. l shall be glad to use it. Uncle
Seth sold my car to Mayor Pound
stone last night. Mrs P admired
it SOL"
"Ah! Then It 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 crossing7"
Possibly. The Poundstones dined
at our house last night"
7
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 a 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 MORA 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 herw he murmured |
shes been my ally all along. and ]
never suspected it'll 1 wonder what |
her game can be-
He sat musing for a long time !
YES" he concluded presently, "old |
POundstOne has double-cressed US |
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 a rat as big as a kangaroo. In |
this case two and two don't make four |
They make six Guess Pn build a fire
under old Poundstone"
He took down the telephone re-
ceiver and called up the mayor
Bryce Cardigan speaking, Mr.. Pound
stone" ne greeted the chief executive
of Sequoia.
l
stone doomed affably. "How's tricks?'
"So-sol l hear you've bought that
sedan from Col Pennington's niece
Wish I'd known It was for sale Td
nave outbid you. Want to make q
profit on your bargain?"
mo, not this morning, Bryce. I think
we'll keep il. Mrs. p has beer
wanting a closed car for a long time
md when the Colonel offered me this
1ne at a bargain. snapped it up"
"And you don't care to get rid Of ii
1t a proft?" Bryce repeated.
mo. stree :"
"Oh. you're mistaken, Mr.. Mayor
think you do. would suggest that
7ou take that car back to Penning-
on's garage and leave it there. That
would be the most profitable thing
-ou could CO."
"What-what-wha in blue blazes
re you driving at?" the mayor sput
cred.
Il wouldn't care to discuss it over
he telephone. I take It. however. that
hint TO the wise is sufficient; and
yarn you. mayor, that if you keep
hat car it viii bring you bad luck
'oday is Friday. and Friday is an IN
lcky day. I'd get rid Of that sedan
efore noon if were you"
There was a long, fateful silence
hen in a singular small. quavering
dice: you think it best. CardiganT
u do. Return it to No. 50 Redwood
and no questions viii be
sked. GoOd-byi"
When Shirley reached home at noon,
le found her car parked in front Of
lie porte cochere; and a brief note
IT with the butler. informed her that 4
fer thinking the matter over. Mrs =
oundstone had decided the Pound
one family could not afford such an {
and accordingly the car
as returned with many thanks for