Evening star., 1932-11-06

taDle on ner ldlner ana Salu, WeA,
Dad what's on your active mind
this evening, I mean-what in par
ticular?"
L. E. Brown, owner of the Viking Ventilator
Co., WINGED mentally as he compared those
blue, life-enamored orbs to searchlights.
Business" he answered, applying match
to his cigar. And may the angels record that
he told at least part-truth.
Silence. Then again the lovely daughters
voice gently persuasive this time.
"Yes of course. But repeat what In par
ticular? All during dinner you've been hdgety
And several times I've caught you looking
rather sharply at me-your only child ana
heir Now will you break down and confess,
or must grill you for hours like district
attor-"
.Ill confess" he replied, IF you must use
that unpleasant term. Our sales have slumped
alarmngly, Marie. I hate to admit it-and
wouldn't to them-but the Briskaire Co. Is run
ming me ragged"
.1The Briskaire Coz" The slight lifting OF
her left eyebrow indicated surprise.
.8rhat's the first time I've ever heard you
call that concern by its proper name, DAD.
Usually YOU refer to them as my cuttnrat
competitors or that Briskaire layout
well no matter what you call them, they
60 right ahead" he said. Ihey landed the
contract yesterday for installing their product
in the new Metropolitan Building-and after
I thought the Viking Co. had the thing cincned.
Something has to be done about it, tell you.
"Weve been fighting back and forth Tor the
mast five years. First they cut prices; then
cut then they cut again. And now neither OF
us is making decent profit, but the overhead
goes on just the same as always
"But surely you could go TO them Dad and
talk the thing over frankly; make some ar
raneement Whereby
mo I can't go to them. was in TINS town
first" he said. Besides, that's Where-Where
you come in'
.Where 1 come IMP" The eyebrow went
higher this time. How intriguing DAD!
Please tell me more"
INA /ELL, II hardly know how to put IT,
w he began, desperately But you have
a way of making men fail for you, Marie.
There was Phil Keller. Then, Jack Douglas;
and even old j. D. Scott sent you flowers
every day for time And there was
She laughed at his earnestness
But what has all this to do with increasing
the sales of Viking ventilators? And checK-
ing the progress of your too-aggressive COM
petitors?'
Il was coming to that" He squirmed un-
comfortably under her scrutiny. You see, Jeh
Ferreter who owns the Briskaire company, has
a son. very capable and, hear, hkaole
young"
follows in this little farce Here it is
"Mr. Brown and Mr.. Ferreter are business
rivals Both are anxious to reach a mutual
understanding about the manufacture and sale
Of ventilators: yet each is too proud TO make
the first overture. They might even Ike TO
merge their resources
"But Mr. Brown has at last hit upon an idea.
His beautiful daughter has only to meet MIR.
Ferreter's son-whom she has never seen-nake
his pulse skip few beats with her langmd
smile-and presto! He falls to one knee, raises
plaintve, love-stricken eyes"
Marie! I tell you it isn't farce" the
parent objected I'm not asking you to marry
Ferreter's son. I'm only suggesting that a.
business conciliation might be effected through
-er-social friendliness.
I'm sure that young Mart Ferreter would
like to meet you. Any young chap would. It's
been proved conclusively time and again."
The girl tossed her head impatiently. I've
heard of Indian chiefs selling of their surplus
daughters for stipulated number of pinto
ponies" There was little break in her voice.
Il didn't think the same idea would descend
upon our house. nor did think that was
surplus!"
BE reasonable" Mr. Brown urged. I'm only
telling you that you can help me, If you will"
Then as she rose and started to leave the
room, he added, II didn't mean to offend you,
dear. But if you'd sit down and talk this thing
over saney-"
1--WE heard enough!" she said. II knew
that business was worrying you, Dad; but If
you think that I'm going to be a party to such
thing as you've proposed, you're doomed TO
disappointment. Please don't allow your busi-
ness worries to get the better Of your-of your
paternal decency!"
And she fled from the room quickly, proudly,
angrily.
DERSEVERING courage had made L. E.
Brown owner Of the Viking Ventilator Co.,
yet when he tried to employ this persistence on