The Washington times., 1937-08-14


Still simmering, Wharton seized
the sheaf of estimates.
Seventy cents is the lowest"
he muttered. Cant get it done
for less. And I had hoped this
would be a banner year! Might
as we'll accept the Horner and
Smith estimate. They're the most
reliable"
He stopped, looked up as the
door swung open. Steve Morgan,
immaculate in white linen, strobe
into the room; he had a briefcase
under his arm and wide smile
on his somewhat freckled face.
Morning, gentlemen" he said
pleasantly. Heard you were In
terested in a filling job"
Nothing you can do, Morgan"
President Wharton apped.
We've got estimates from the
city's leading contractors. Your
organization is too small to COM
pete with their figures"
Then you wouldn't be in
terested in, say 80 cents a cubic
yard for your dry fill?"
IMPOSSIBLE BID
Thirty cents a cubic yard!"
Wharton roared. "Impossible!"
"Precisely!" Parker'S smile was
tinged with sarcasm. mo doubt
Mr.. Morgan acts in good faith.
Not having been in the business
long, he may believe he can sup
ply us with fill at those figures.
I have gone over the other bids
carefully. Even allowing for a
profit of 10 cents a cubic yard,
the job cannot be done for less
than so cents"
Mean to say you refuse my
offer?" Steve demanded. Surely,
Mr.. Wharton, you're not going to
throw away twenty thousand dol
lars. I'll guarantee to do it for
the price I've named"
His mood suddenly changing,
Mr.. Wharton INDUCED in a
friendly, sympathetic smile.
Sorry" he said. I'VE can't take
chances. It's impossible to supply
fill for what you've bid. After you
got half way through the job you'd
find you were running at loss and
quit. Figures don't lie."
Steve leaned forward, his hands
upon the edge of the table.
I'll furnish bond!" he
snapped. Same as the reSt!"
Once more Mr.. Wharton smiled
tolerantly. "If you can find COM
pany that will give one" he replied,
well be only too glad to award
you the contract. You must realize
that no bonding company"
Can have until three o'clock?"
Steve cut in.
IF you wish. We are not likely
to accept any estimates before
then. Good morning" Wharton
turned once more to the group
about the table. And now, gentle
men, think the Horner and Smith
| bid"
Steve strobe through the door,
his eyes like slivers of gray granite.
Nor was his exit made more
pleasant by the sound of Parker's
laugh, bleakly sardonic, ringing in
his ears.
MUCH EXPLAINING
Three o'clock found Mr.. Whar-
ton in his office, porting over rows
of figures. Thirty-five thousand!
1t would show against this years
dividends; the stockholders would
demand great deal of explaining.
That fool Parker! Mr.. Wharton
shook his head, mangled still
further the end of his cigar.
mr.. Morgan" The Secretarial
voice came from the doorway.
Before Wharton could make any
comment, Steve entered the room.
Clinging to his arm was Nancy,
a trim, Svelte figure in a smart
summer suit; her eyes were bright
and the glow of her cheeks could
scarcely be attributed to anything
so banal as windburn, embaraSS-
ment, or rouge.
"Nancy!" Mr.. Wharton ex.
claimed. What are you doing
here?"
I'VE We'll explain in a min.
ute" There was a lit in her voice.
Business first"
Right" Steve slapped a sheaf
of papers upon the desk. Here's
that bond, Mr.. Wharton!"
We'll, I'll be i" The older
man glanced through the papers.
You get the contract, all right,
son! It's saving us twenty thou
sand dollars! But how on
earth. ..?'
Simple" Steve chuckled. IT
already have contract with the
Hutchinson Realty Company that
didn't expect to make cent on.
They're building a new develop
ment and arranged with me to
clear away a hill. Well, now, in
stead of hauling that dirt to a
dump outside the city, I can take
it to your new plant and still col
lect 80 cents a cubic yard clear
profit. I hill in a hole what
could be SWeeter?"
President Wharton stared at
Steve a moment, then grinned,
boyiShly. $50 you save us twenty
thousand and make fifteen for
YOURSELF" he said. "Snappy bust
ness, SOM"
Son is the correct term. I"
Nancy placed a ringed left hand
upon the desk. We're keeping
that fifteen thousand in the
family"