Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-02-24


sanity passes within 80 days, cable
me; and If you're broke, stick the Co
dorado Con. for the cable tolls"
"Good old wagonl" Webster replied
affectionately. Then he shook hands
and climbed aboard the train. The
instant he disappeared in the vesti-
bule, however. Neddy Jerome waddled
rapidly down the track to Car 8,
climbed aboard, and made his way to
Lower 8. The young lady in the green
tailor-made suit was there, looking
idly out Of the window.
"Young lady," Jerome began, 'may
presume to address you for a mo-
ment on a matter of great Importance
to you? Don't be afraid of me, my
dear. I'm old enough to be your IA
ther, and besides, I'm one of-the incest
old men you ever met"
She could not forbear a smile.
every well, sir" she replied.
Neddy Jerome produced a pencil and
card. "Please write your name on this
card" he pleaded, "and I'll telegraph
what / want to say to you. ThereIl
be a man coming through this car in
a minute, and don't want him to see
me here. Please trust me, young
lady"
The young lady did not trust him,
however, although she wrote on the
card. Jerome thanked her and fed
as fast as his fat old legs could car
ry him. Under the station are he
read the card.
Henrietta Wilkins" he murmured.
"By the gods, one would never sus-
pect name like that belonged to a
face like that. By lingo, it would be
strange If that mailman persuaded her
to marry him, j hope he does. IF
I'm any Judge of character, Jack Web
ster won't be cruel enough to chain
that vision to Sobrante; and besides,
she's liable to make him decide who's
most popular with him--Henrietta or
Billy Geary. If she does, I'll play
Geary to lose. Well Needs must
when the devil drives" And he en-
tered the station telegraph Office and
commenced to write.
An hour later Miss Dolores Ruey,
alias Henrietta Wilkins, was handed
this remarkably verbose and truly
candid telegram:
Miss Henrietta Wilkins, Lower 6,
Car 8, on board train "a
"DO you recall the bewhiskered,
ragged individual you met on the S.
P, L. A. & S. L, train in Death val
ley ten days ago2 He lifted his hat
to you tonight, and you almost killed
him with a look. It did not occur to
him that you would not recognize him
disguised as a gentleman, and he lift
ed his hat on impulse. Do not hold 1t
against him. The sight Of you again
set his reason tottering on its throne,
and he told me his sad story.
'This man, John Stuart Webster, is
wealthy, single, forty, fine and crazy
as a March hare. He is in love with
you. You might do worse than fall in
love with him. He is the best mining
engineer in the world, and he is now
aboard the same train with you, en-
route to New Orleans, thence to take
the steamer to Buenaventura, SObran-
te, G. A., where he is to meet another
lunatic and finance a hole in the
ground. do not want him to go to
Sobrante. If you marry him, he will
not, If you do not marry him, you
still might arrange to make him listen
to reason. If you can induce him to
come to work for me within the next
80 days, whether you marry him or
not, I will give you $1,000 the day he
reports on the Job. Please bear in
mind that he does not know am do
ing this. If he did, he would kill me,
but business is business, and this is a
plain business proposition. am put
ting you wise, so you will know your
power and can exercise it If you care
to earn the money. If not, please for
get about it. At any rate, please do
me the favor to communicate with me
on the subject, If at all interested.
Edward P. Jerome, President Colo
RADIO Consolidated Mines, Ltd, Care
Engineers Club"
The girl read and reread this tele-
gram several times, and presently a
slow little smile commenced to creep
around the corners Of her adorable
mouth.
81 believe that amazing old gentle
man is absolutely dependable" was
the decision at which she ultimately
arrived, and calling for a telegraph
blank, she wired the old schemer:
give thousand not enough money,
Make it $4,000 and 1 will guarantee
to deliver the man within 80 days. ]
stay on this train to New Orleans.
HENRIETTA"
That telegram arrived at the Engi-
neers' club about midnight, and pur-
suant to instructions, the night bar
keeper read it and 'phoned the con
tents to Neddy Jerome, who prompt
Iy telephoned his reply to the tele-
graph office, and then sat on the edge
of his bed, scratching his toes and
meditating.
'aThat's a remarkable young wom-
an" he decided, "and business to her
finger tips. Well, I've done my part,