The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-03-19
CHAPTER vI-Continued


"Wants to fire me, ! guess" Jim
paused to answer the question on
his way upstairs.
81 doubt that" MACPHERSON said
quietly, and it was then that Jim
saw again the expression he no
ticed at supper.
Mr.. Vaughn sat in the library in
a haze of cigar smoke, making rap
id calculations on pad on the desk
before him. He glanced up as Jim
entered the room.
"Sit down." he said cordially.
"This is likely to be long session.
Smoke, if you care to-"
"Thank you" Jim sank into a
leather chair and lit cigarette.
Mr.. Vaughn came to the point
with gratifying directness.
"Do you think you can handle
that riding academy" he asked,
watching Jim intently.
Jim glanced up questioningly. To
his surprise, Mr.. Vaughn appeared
to be in earnest.
I'D like to have try at it," he
said.
Have you thought of it since this
morning?"
"All afternoon. Jim smiled lit
tie self-consciously.
1--WE been telephoning all after
noon. l think it's we'll worth taking
a chance. The property wouldn't
bring anything like it's value at pub
lie auction. This is good time to
Put the place in order. Labor and
materials are cheap. You can take
charge of the repairs. There are
masons and carpenters in the viii
lage."
Glow soon?" Jim managed to
ask
Immediately" Mr.. Vaughn's
tone was crisp and decisive. well
get it partially ready for the hunt
ing this fall. There won't be much
business during the winter. By
spring we'll be all Set"
Jim experienced a moment of
panic.
"I'm not sure" he said doubtful
ly. 81 think 1 can do it. I'm not
unduly modest, as you suggested
this morning. But I've had no ex-
perience except with horses.
You're probably taking a chance"
81 know. But think you can do
it." Mr.. Vaughn was as delighted
with the new project as child with
a new toy and proportionately ge-
NAL. ST had talk with MacPher-
son this afternoon and he agrees
with me-"
That explained MacPherson's ex-
preston. He wouldn't have men,
toned his conversation with Mr..
Vaughn under a third degree grill
ing.
There's no doubt about your be-
ing competent to please the ladies"
Mr.. Vaughn went on, his eyes twin
king at Jim. Il never have any
idea whether a young fellow is good
looking or not but straw vote in
my almost entirely feminine house
hold seems to settle that question.
You are, it appears, cross be-
tween a young Viking and the dis
Gus thrower with possibly just a
touch of that what's-his-name in
the movies who plays society COW
punchers and last summers life
guard at Cape May. l mention
this, in passing, because it's likely
to be an asset" He opened box
on the desk, selected fresh cigar,
regarded it with a guilty express
sion. 81 smoked my allotment for
today" he said irritably. ''How do
they expect me to talk business
without cigar?"
"They DON'T" Jim said, grateful
for change in the conversation.
"That's all poppy cock!" Mr..
Vaughn proved his point, to his
own satisfaction, at least, by light
ing the cigar. I'm as well as I've
ever been-or practically So" he
amended. ''The first of September
I'll start going in to the Office at
least two mornings week. You're
fred, jim" The fragrant smoke in
creased his geniality. "You weren't
bad secretary, though, except that
your tipping left much to be de-
sired. Now, see here-I have an
idea"
Jim drew his chair close to the
desk and the two plunged into pos
stble figures and specifications. Jim,
hesitant at first, found himself max
ing suggestions, even arguing a
point with his employer, now and
then, and in one instance, winning
the final decision. He thought that
Mr.. Vaughn was pleased with his
suggestions.
Later Mr.. Vaughn questioned Jim
about his college career and talked
of his own. They discussed fishing
and baseball and the possible
causes of the depression. cts a
mathematical fact that panics occur
in cycles" Mr.. Vaughn expounded.
And "a tarpon's the gamest fish in
the sea-" Jim contributed. And