The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-13

CHAPTER VI
Wilton Ames stared ut his IA
Their.
"FanSworth HotelS?" he cX-
claimed. They're a big outfit,
aren't they"
Spencer inclined his head.
Every big, very solvent and, | am
told. very nice people to do bust
ness with"
Pm beginning to understand"
said Wilton. "You'll-yOull take
the place over?'
"precisely." said Spencer. IF
The interest and amortization pay
ment is not met. the Preston prop
erty will have 10 be put up ut
public auction. And I'll find Il
way to buy it in quietly"
Wilton'S eyes lighted. That's a
great idea, Dad. We = lie
stopped suddenly. But what
about Sally"
sally? Oh, you mean the
Pennington girl? Well, what
about her? She'll get Il price for
il, won't she?"
ayes" said Wilton shrewdly.
but not as much as ii she paid
the interest and sold TO Farms
worth hotels herself"
Quite 50" said Mr.. Ames.
Pm glad you perceive that, Will
ton. II shows you've grasped the
situation. Now don't you be
fool. my boy. If We play our
hand right, Miss Pennington need
know nothing about it. Wen
make handsome profit on the
deal and you can marry the girl,
if she'll have you. | don't know as
I'd object to that, either. She
seems u nice enough young per-
son and you've got TO settle down
sometime.
Wilton was silent, considering.
The proposition certainly appeal
ed to his native craftiness.
YES" he said, at last. Il see
what you mean. There's one thing
Allll WI lSS SA4NSeAA- -
eyer found out that :"
"She won't" interrupted his
father. Unless you're fool enough
10 tell her. The thing for you to
do is keep your ears open and
your mouth shut. III handle the
transaction. Now you'd better go
over there this evening and learn
what you can. | don't like tins
Parker chap getting into it. he
might be dangerous.
YES" SAID Wilton, and he
meant it two ways.
BY the middle OF the afternoon
Kinks Parker was through with
his advertising campaign. The
sign, a white affair blaZonng
with red letters, had been finish
ed.
The copy read:
~ Mile 20
THE Observation-Disclosures
RESTORIUM
Unequalled Cuisine
Comfortable Rooms
RedSOHdOIS NdlSS
4 Place for Rest and Relaxation
And at the top of the board a
little, red arrow would point the
way TO the home of the late Mrs.
Martha Preston when the sign was
finally set up.
Kinks was very proud OF 1T. He
thought that it ought to arouse
the curiosity of the reader. So
enthusiastic did he become that he
persuaded the gentleman who had
painted it to drive him to the
point where the dirt road forked
from the state highway and led To
the Preston place.
Without difficulty they found
the man who owned the land just
off the junction of the roads. HE
was a farmer and, though CON
WINGED that ii raving maniac con-
fronted him, ne finally gave
Kinks permission to place the sign
Oh his property. After 1t had
been set up and duly admired,
Kinks refused the sign-painter's
offer OF lift to the Preston
home, took the suitcase he had
brought from New York and
walked the half-mile along the
river.
He arrived To find great peace
brooding over the abode of his
late Aunt Martha. Birds chirped
in the trees. The sun was warm
Oh the greening lawn. In the back
the river tapped peacefully by.
And in q steamer-chair near the
front steps reclined Mr.. Hank
ness, wearing the air OF a man
whose work has been well done.
Hello" said Kinks pleasantly.
Taking it easy"
Mr.. Hardness nodded. Just re-
Taxing. But | have not been idle
today, young man. Go up and
try that front doorbell."
Kinks mounted the steps and
pressed the bell gingerly. The
next instant he jumped back and
almost dropped his suitcase. o.. An