The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-01-06
-1G3GSoI1tI9
The Unknown
Bidder
By wINIFRED DUNBAR
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

| Copyright 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
bob. 1 would give up my life to
save yOu-cant do something to
helpT
Bob Ralston bestowed fond and
gentle glance upon the speaker. New
er was there more earnest, loyal
friend than this same Ned Melvin, and
no one knew II better than Bob.
"You are royal good fellow, Ned"
said Bob--'never q better. You can
help me. The Leslie Art works are
to be sold out at auction within IN
hour. l want you to take this picket
book. There's thousand dollars in
1t. don't know what may be bid
maybe $1,000, maybe $1,000. If you
find the bids running up, try all you
can to hinder, to delay the sale."
With the words Bob Ralston flashed
into an automobile and was gone,
leaving Ned holding the pocketbook
In his hand, looking solemn, worried,
excited, all at once. Ned had heard
that his cousin would be In the city
that morning, and had spent his last
| VIII SOAAhh6 ONCA w SICCt tnC UCol
friend he had In the world.
Ned did not at all understand the
situation, for Bob had no time to ex.
plain. 1t was peculiar one. Bob
had arrived In town only two hours
previous after an absence of year.
to claim pretty Ruth Leslie as his
bride. Where he had expected to
find Joy and brightness he had been
met with despair and gloom. Robert
Leslie, the father of his prospective
bride, was on sick bed, slowly re-
covering from severe fit of illness
brought on ~ anxiety over his busi-
ness affairs. Mr.. Leslie had for years
owned the Art Metal works, small
but congenial business. An unjust
claim had been foisted upon him by
a rival-TiptOn & Co.
ut Is not the business for 1t Is only
a small one, although 1t brought in a
comfortable living" Ruth had sobbed
on her lovers shoulder "There are
original designs and patterns, though,
that represent half fathers life tasks.
II he should know that all these are
swept away 1t would kill him."
Oh, IT, l had only known this be-
fore!" grOaned generous, tender-heart-
ed Bob, and he had hurried away to
meet Ned, had given him rather for
lorn, hopeless instructions and jumped
into an automobile, and had offered
the chauffeur double, triple, quadruple
pay If he could make Taunton and
back within the hour.
For while Bob had thousands invest
ed In the West he could not hope to
raise dollar In II hurry. At Taunton,
however, there was an Old-time bank
ing friend. 1t was a question of min
utes.
A representative of the Upton In.
terest was on hand at the auction, nd
Ned found when he reached the works.
The auctioneer had made a platform
Of one box set fiat, and desk OF an,
other tilted on end. His hammer beat
tattoo as call to order.
"The entire plant will be sold with
out reserve" announced the man with
the gavel-"contents only and lease OF
the premises. Terms will be strictly
cash. What am bid?'
1.-TWO hundred dollars"
An umtldy man who suggested the
typical junk dealer made this tender.
The Upton agent directed ut him a
withering and contemptuous glance
and said coolly:
"Fifteen hundred dollars"
Poor Ned groaned inwnrdly.
'E'ifteen hundred dollars - cried the
auctloneer, hammer poised, II am Of
fered-"
sixteen" interrupted him.
"Four thousand" snapped the Tip.
ton man.
"Five," came TRANQUILITY from he of
the grave vlsnge.
"Slx," as promptly proceeded from
the direction of the fat individual
The man from Tipton's hurriedly
drew out his pocketbook. He glanced
It over, frowned and bolted from the
place.
"Six thousand dollars" ratified on
the Ructioneer. "Time and tide whit
for no man,
"Twenty"-everybody stared. "Twen
ty!" he shouted. "DO l hear twenty.
one? No? Then sold to-cash. Ster
up to my clerks, sir, and close the
transaction"
"Were You speaking to meT In
Qulred the fat man.
\ certainly, you bid In this prop
erty-"
"Aie! !" calculated the fat man. "Non'
sense! ! haven't spoken a word since
! entered this rOom."
There was vast hubbub. 1t was
ten minutes before 1t was guessed that
some mlschevous ventrlloqulst In the
! crowd had played clever trick or
: the auctioneer.
Then the bidding was resumed. Net
had stepped forward again. Ever,
, minute gained was precious time fol
dear Bob. but the bids ran up beyond
the thousand.
II was Mt S1,5OO that the auction