The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-15

never gave hlm word Of encouragement" :"
 "But I did," MT. Sinclair Smith con- fessed doubtfully. 'I promised to meet him tonight and let him know how far we could go."
 ''You can tell him the whole things off,, the other declared ruthessly, ''that is to say, if MT. Cray here fancies the proposi- tion."
 ''Put me wise about this," that gentleman begged eagerly.
 Mr. Sinclair Smith shrugged his shoul- ders
 '.Mr Cray" he said, you're very good fellow, and I quite share Frinton's admira- tion for your charming daughter but as a rule, to be perfectly frank with you, we reserve our little side shows for our older friends, especially when the plums are ripe. However, Frnton's said the word and won't go back on him. Ever heard of the Idaho rubber plantations?"
 We're not great on original rubber, on the other side," MT. Cray replied "but l do just happen to know that the Idaho is a sound concern"
 'sTen thousand of the new issue com ing on~the market this week." Mr. Sinclair Smith confided. 'I don't know how you
  manage these things over on the other side, but the directors don't want the market dis turbed, and they're handing them out in big blocks. Frinton and 1 have five thou sand each. There's another five thousand to be bought for prompt cash.'
 And the price?"
 'sThirty-seven and sixpence," Sinclair re- piled. You can see what they stand on the market in this mornings paper. Forty one offered"
 T don't quite get the hang of this," MT. Cray confessed. "Just why are you offer ing these shares at three and sixpence less than the market?"
 Because the directors don't want the market price disturbed,' Mir. Sinclair Smith explained They've taken nearly all the new issue themselves. These are just a few over, which they've been handing out to their friends If you take this five thou sand, you'll have to pay prompt cash for them, but they'll stand you in a profit on today's price of over two thousand pounds. On the other hand, we shouldn't expect you to put them on the market, except in very small lots for the next fortnight"
 And supposing they go down in the meantlme? Sara asked.
 Mir. Frinton smiled.
 "Your father can get all the information about Idahos he wants," he suggested; "but matter of fact, if you like a little gamble yourself, Lady Sittingbourne, I'll bet you five hundred that Idahos are higher rather than lower in a months time."
 "This sounds good to me" MT. Cray con- fessed. "I'll have look at the tape pres ently"
 That's right, no hurry" MT. Frinton said "Sinny, you're hose. I think another bottle of this Chateau Yquem. And, Lady Sittingbourne, we really ought to apolo- gize for talking shop"
 'Indeed, you needn't" Sara protested. "As a matter of fact, it is my fault en- tirely. It is nice of you to help Dad to make a little money"
 Perhaps I wasn't thinking altogether about your father" the Hon. Charles Erin ton ventured.
 ''It isn't the money really, of course," Sara went on. Dads got plenty of that. But it does give him something to think about. Men are so much better when their thoughts are occupied, don't you think so?"
 ''That depends the young man replied with an impressive sigh. Sometimes a mans thoughts are rather hindrance to his days work"
 Sara laughed gayly.
 'I think you London men are terrible" she said.
 ''There's only one fault about us," Erin ton declared, "we're too impressionable."
 Sara laughed softly at that and looked down at her plate. It was indeed gala