Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-01-08

though she were naughty child dis
covered in a criminal act.
You're brute! You're horrid to
make me say that" she cried.
But, Polly, you will trust an old
man, won't you?"
Her eyes were blazing, and she was
blushing furiously.
Promise on your word of honor
that All the fight went out of
her and she walked straight into Mr..
Lyle's arms, where she had been
many and many a time before, and
they didn't say word till little
while later Mr.. Lyle said: Its time
we were playing bridge with the par
ents," and he offered her his arm and
with mock ceremony they marched
out Of the room.
+ 4 **
THEY played bridge with the par
|! I ents, and later, when the parents
were alone, Mrs. Wesson said:
What do you suppose was going
on between those two tonight?"
Mr.. Wesson hadn't noticed anything
special.
They're up to something" Mrs.
wesson said, and was entirely sure
that 1t was some silly joke of theirs.
The next morning Mr.. Lyle went
downtown a little later than usual
and dropped in at the Peoples Trust
Company. He nodded to the atten-
dant outside the presidents office and,
receiving a satisfactory signal in re-
turn, he walked in and said. Good
morning, Gus" to the very dignified
and important president, Mr.. Angus
tus A. Warren. They chatted for
few minutes. and then Mr.. Lyle asked
Mr.. Warren for two bits Of informa-
ton, and these being forthcoming
after Investigation, Mr.. Lyle departed.
Mr.. Warren followed him almost to
the street, but the best he could get
was a promise of a story later on,
perhaps.
Reaching his Office. Mr.. Lyle called
a firm of real estate brokers on the
telephone and asked for certain I'M
important information, which he got
He then called Paul Waters.
Paul." he said. I've been thinking
over the little matter you and were
talking about yesterday. Business
hasn't been good, and I need a little
money. I wish you'd talk with your
people and ask them what they'll pay
me, on a contingent basis, If through
my efforts you don't have to pay any
of that Farson claim"
Paul exploded and yelled for de-
tails, but nothing came Of 1t, for Mr..
Lyle would say nothing except to re-
peat the question.
A few minutes later Paul, having
telephoned in the meantime, called
Mr.. Lyle.
my people want to know If ten
thousand dollars will be satisfactory,
and II not, what will; and will you
please tell them and me what's go
ing on?
TELL your people that ten thou
sand dollars will not be satisfactory,
that will listen to nothing except
sixteen thousand three hundred and
seventy-five dollars and thirty-two
cents, spot cash, no more, no less, and
the privilege of expanding and charg-.
ing to them not exceeding one thou
sand dollars additional. They must
say yes or no within an hour. AID
what is going on is none Of their
business, or yours, for the time be-
ing"
YES" Paul shouted the word into
the telephone, "the company and I
accept"
VERY we'll young man: Just drop
me line confirming that agreement
and authorizing me to act for you.
Send 1t by messenger, and send along
a copy Of the policy blank, and send
me copy of the proof OF loss, filled
out as the original is, as soon as you
can have 1t made. I'll send for you