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Show HttBM&& fe& REAP IT HERE-ThenSeeh In Motion Rctaws PATHE FLAYERS WRITTEN BY GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER , Author of "Get-Rich-Quick-Wallingford" DRAMATIZED BY ' CHARLES W. GODDARD : 1 Builder of the World's Greatest Serials INTRODUCING BURR McINTOSH - - - - - - J. Rufus Wallingford MAX FIGMAN - - - - - - - Blackie Daw LOLITA ROBERTSON -------- Violet Copyright 1915 by The Star Co. All Foreign For-eign Rights Reserved. A TRANSACTION IN SUMMER BOARDERS 1 f0Ttris'G' ladles!" observed J. Rufus "Wall- 1 ingiord, as he looked at the dilapidated stage which was to carry them from the forlorn and lonesome little- station at Birch-I Birch-I wood to the Pine Lake Health Resort. "It takes a couple of wise lollops like you and me, Blackie. to get the prong good when we I do set it"; ar.d he glanced at the discourage. i . looking Violet and Fannie "Warden. Aunt ' Pr.r.v Warden was smiling cheerfully. '.D'on't ring me in on this, J. Rufus," I pro lasted Blackie Daw. twirling his black musuhe with complacency. "I didn't want I any health, remember. I've got too much I now. in spite of all I can do to ruin it." Perhaps that isn't out stage," said Fanny "Warden hopefully. What faint hopes Fannie hand entertained, however, were dashed by the driver himself, as he stopped his horses at the platform. "Are you Mr. Wallingford and ;ariy?' he inquired in a voice which was a startling reproduction of the tone of th-3 rear orf wheel, and he surveyed them with 1 mourn fulness of the grave. I "Vaillnpford looked at Blackie with stern a-cialion, and then his Jovial pink face broWs into a smile, which, while infectious o oc-aold, was not all mirth. "I never had a wronger hunch than right now to slip any-hedv any-hedv ine wrong name," he confessed; "but th "train's gone and we might as well be g;vne If our party can stand this, though, he's a piker. I suppose you're from Fine "vos. I'm from Rugg's place." admitted the driver. "I reckon you'd better set as near in he middle of the middle seat as you kin." h continued, eying the huge Wallingford w'h more or less of dismay, and he winced OU;te painfully when Wallingford, having Elated all the others, gravely trimmed ship and forced all the springs down tightly and ' 3rmlv upon the running-gear, where they 1 cnW served to accentuate the ensuing Jolts. "it'll seem real nice to have sech health-' health-' lookn' folks as you around," volunteered 1 1 the driver when they were well on their I eeoaizing way. "They don't none o' , you seem noways peaked lookin' !" ! -I feel myself peaking rapidly, however, 1 returned pretty Violet Warden, her blue eyes sparkling at Blackie Daw. ' "-ilackie burst into a chuckle. In which the others presently joined, but the physical discomfort of the trip was such as to check 1 lev:; v, and it was a tired group which f:n 'U- alighted in appalling stiffness at the Pine Lake Health Resort. "It' right about the name," considered Blackie moodily. There's the lake and ' there 3 the nine," and he pointed out the ' : one single pine-tree which stood by the i pond. "Go in and see if Charles Algernon fcvivel is here; if not we hike; If so, he hikes. For we won't work here." "I ought to sue Charles for damges. declared de-clared Wallingford with profound dejection, : i but when he saw the emaciated Ruggs he changed his mind and figured upon buying 1 him a "Gates Ajar" floral piece. "Why don't you get a fat clerk, to encourage incoming : guests?" he asked. "I can't afford it," wheezed Ruggs. I wis.-. I could sell this Joint. I'd hike for Te".i. This Is no place for a lunger." 'What, do you want for the outfit T Wallingford asked him idly, not because he had the remotest idea of purchase, but merclv from commercial habit. 'Mve thousand," returned Ruggs. though without hope. "Forty rooms, sixty acres, fine supply of pure spring water, splendid air. Want to buy?" "No" returned Wallingford with the pecu-1 pecu-1 1 liar chuckle in which his big shoulders al ways assisted: "I did once think of having t my own private cemetery, but I've given it up is Charles Algernon Swivel here?" ' "Never heard of him," declared Kuk-zs 1 whzily. and the party groaned. Charles : Algernon Swivel was somewhere in this 1 county of health resorts, and they had to , find him. ., ; Breezy Point was a regular place; fun.ly , drea:;ed old women crocheting on the wide ' verandas, and keeping a sharp eye about for possible scandal; young couples in tennis flannels sauntering about on well-kept ,!' Jawns between prim flower-bed 3 and de- ! ' livering themselves of conversation which I would bore them to tears if they could hear I it in a phonograph ten years later; strik ingly dressed married women taking the Prist steps toward divorce while- waiting . for their husband's week-end visits; boat t with couples of contentment drifting lazily - on the quiet bay; smart riding-parties on handr-omo hornen, glancing in cold diwlatn at mfre pedestrians and automobillntH; women wom-en changing gowns three times a day. and 1 men dressing at least twice; prices beyond the reach of honest folks, and all tho rent of It that goes to make a really exclusive fashionable resort for the middle classes. I In this- place the Wallingford party fitted t like a glove, and J. Rufus was tho llfo of f the party. Wherever he went light followed f him. lie was so big, no Imprest, ve, and withal no genial that the women had all noted him with eager queHtioninK. and half ' the mn were his friends and admirers be fore lie had been there a day. Ksprrially r Charles Algernon Swivel. That youth, found v . on the first evening and promptly annexed, v trailed Wallingford about, laughed at his Mori'-, drank In Ms good-natured phllos-s phllos-s op), v, and emulated him in every renpect. C'ha'ri'-n Ajf-,:rnon van a most Immature ! -you r man' of not overly good breeding, ' nor overly go"d looks, nor apparently overly good ::en"K. though in h)H rath-r watery lt'! ev-H wan a trace of Inherited nhrewd-nen'j. nhrewd-nen'j. Moreover, he waH very wearing upon 1 the ncrv.-s, and hi ethlcn were crude. Hid s 1 father had mar his money in oil. AIko hln t father ha stolen twenty-five thousand 1M- lan from the Warden orphans, on the di-uth of their father, and thiH was why Charlie Alf:irnon had been hunted and found and BtU'Ilftd. f -Thin in tno gr'-r-.N-M place I ver saw. :. n(. ,.,tTrr;:w to V, ;i Hint-ford ttB his pro- jn;''i;rHy wrir:kl" ".' followed rt pair of 1 Mrikingly HrcNKrd wnrnrn arrorn tho lawn. "Sik h women ;aml n.i.-h flirt Ing'" ; 1 yen," paid V.';Ll!InKford dryly. Do i . yon r.tippor!f they all flirt?" ! "Outr;.g'OiiHly!" declared Charlon Altrr- nr.n with unction and motnt UpB and ern- "l r -idn't notlred It mynHf," returned ' V. -'ord "t had a nor I of Idea thu ttio 1 n.'iloritv or wornen vere decent, nny where t y'J I mip'.omo I'Cf. growing old A hanrtoin J '-.I w-althy V'Mini: f-llow like yoy. r. j rr(IJ., h;,vr thern florkUi around him like t Ml' around a v r u p - J-'' r" ' li no" roT.ff.i.-'-d Charlen Algernon, , 1 , , Main' tirKO;f.forlab!e r " rt. I n I r ' ti '-e-t of , ; J,., ;.!,!; . - Mi1" rr.v fir-r trip 10 " rtj'd,' a ,:" a i thin, you know Kafh'T v.ar. a I way r. pi . ' y ;lo;)j w It 1' M monoy bf-f he died. But I've had some luck with women wom-en at that," and he grinned with a leer which might have made a more austere gentleman and a more impulsive one than Wallingford slap his silly face. "I see," said he. "I guess you'll make father's money circulate in its old age." and he winked at Blackie Daw, who had just come up. "Well, I'd like to make it more active, anyhow," any-how," declared young Swivel. "That is, just as soon as I get it. You see, I've only been on allowance until now, but on the fl f th of next month I come of age. and I get the rest of it a hundred and fifty thousand thou-sand dollars! Of course I'll only spend the income. I want to invest It in good paying pay-ing business that will make a good profit and give me plenty of time to spend it in. I've been thinking that for a business which only takes up half the' year; the summer-resort summer-resort line ought to be attractive," and his watery eyes once more followed the progress prog-ress of a couple of short-skirted tennis-girls, tennis-girls, their flannels draping themselves prettily in the breeze against lithe young limbs. Wa lllngford saw and understood, and gain found himself loathing Swivel quite out of proportion to his deserts. "Finest husiness in the world." he agreed; 'pay big, requires small capital and no experience." experi-ence." Blackie Daw's head suddenly went back with a laugh. He had been blessed with a happy Idea. "Mr. Walline-ford knows what he Is talking talk-ing about," he observed, twirling his moustache mous-tache and winking gravely while Pwivel watched speculatively the ankles of a girl stepping out of a boat. "He made his fortune for-tune In the summer-resort business. But, of course, you've heard of him J. Rufus Wallingford, the big summer-resort owner; owns a string of places from Maine to California. He knows what a fat business It Is, I tell you." "Indeed." fluttered Charles Algernon, to whom the name of Wallingford had been unknown up to two days before. "It's an honor to meet you I'm sure. Mr. Wallingford," Walling-ford," and he shook hands anew over this fresh introduction. "It may be worth a lot or money to meet you. "Yes, it might be worth quite a bit of money," replied Wallingford with a double meaning in which there was almost a snarl; whereat Blackie, knowing Wallingford'e most inward rnind. almost snorted. "I say. Jim," suggested Blackie with Blow emphasis, "you might let Swivel, have your Pine Lake Health Resort." This would have been too much for even Walllngford's gravity if he had not at that moment caught Charles Algernon's speculative specula-tive eye fixed upon Fannie Wurden. who was passing them with Aunt I'atty and Violet. She smiled pleasantly at J. Rufus and at Blackie. and was about to move on, when Mr. Swivel, his ex predion changing to one smirking courtesy, exclaimed: "And is that beautiful young lady a friend of yours? You must ire sent me!" Wallingford surveyed him with amusement, amuse-ment, and then, with sudden determination, called after the ladies and gravely introduced intro-duced them. "Indeed I am glad to meet Miss Warden," asserted Mr. Swivel gallantly. "I've been noticing you for the past two days, vlth your charming slater." "You're very Mattering, observed Fannie demurely, while Violet suppressed a giggle, "Coming. Aunt Patty." "You shouldn't have spoken of Pine Lake, Mr. Daw," said Wallingford with pleasant reproof. "I'm not pure that I want to sell such a money-mak inr plant just yet. even though it is somewhat out of my wheel of resorts. , "Pine Lake?" mused Mr. Swivel. It 0 an attractive name. Jr It a gay place?" "Gay?" repeated Black lo with enthusiasm, "(iav in no name for it!" "Fashionable, I suppose?" suggested Mr. Swivel Interestedly. "Fashionable," Mr. Daw assured him. Is no name for it. And women! You'll seo no women here like thoe at Pine Iake; I'll give you mv word of honor on that." "You're absolutely correct about thd t. Mr. Daw," asserted Wallingford. There aro no women hero who can V"1 In any way compared com-pared to thore at Pine Lake. And, of course, the proprietor of such a place becomes very well acquainted, Indeed, with the very beHt of his guests." "About what would you want for t me Lake. In rase you should make up your mind to part with It?" he hoHltatlngly ankd. "I shouldn't care to Het a prlc upon tt now." Mr. Wallingford declared, after some deliberation. "I might Bay. however that the price would be within your mentis. "I say," pleaded Mr. Swivel, "If yon do make up your mind to nell it, see me about It before you make any borpaln, won't you?" "Well.1 hesitated Wallingford, I don t mind promising you that." Later Swivel attempted to display n In wit before the beautiful Warden girls, who soon became bored and excused thomsolves to dreHs for dinner. "Herd's wher thl.i Rwive) person certainly doer; et the hook!" declared Wa lini.'ford parage par-age ly. "Heretofore wo on ly 1110:1 u t. to ta k n hi a money, but now we'll take It rough. When I run acrops a damn fool Hko that with money It makes me mad. What right has ho to have money, anyhow? He don't even know how to wperwl it! Why, yesterday yester-day at breakfast I n"w him nwallow a whole glHHHf ul of the most rr-on wan-torne wan-torne In America. only fi few rises of It l,.ft without ever Mopping to tap to It, right between bitn of country sausage!" "I've decided, nfter all, to let. you have the firM look-in on that 1'ir.e Lake proposition." raid Wallingford to CharleH Algernon that ril"ht as they nat over a bottle of ch.im-n;t7no ch.im-n;t7no In h r'-Hrd little nl-ove. The. flrM of tho month I'll be bank this way and well go down and nn It; and when we (ret there you'll lay eyes on some beauties that well, JuM you wait and nee!" and ho winked most rnea nlncly. "I'll bo dellKhtnd. I'm num. roturned Char! en A It-em on, F((iilrir(l n g with plea,Nur In the anticipated tre-it. "Not until the first, yon say?" "Well, along about then," replind Wallingford. Wall-ingford. "Thank you, thank you'" xclalmd f'narlc., Algernon f r ve n 1. 1 y , altnont rrft'tp-!-- Walllngrnnrn hand In M't e n t h iisl n nm. "Tlirni 1m ona thing, t hough." rnnt Inued Va 111 nr ford. "ff I bold off all offer 1 on thin Tor you. 'vn i;nt to ha vn your T 1 " " ' " Isn not to rri,i'l-lT arty other prnpo;:! t in"' until you ) n In." "Why ceriuinlv," re;:dllv pmrnln'-d S'.vtv-.. "I'tn.fH ' only fair. Regular iitunnorn, you unv," J. Rufus Wallingford'e second visit to Pine Iake was at the head of a much larger party than the first one. for at the nearest big town he had stopped to hire a small army of carpenters, painters, paper-hangera, and gardeners. "I got your telegram, and Tve got my things packed," wheezed Mr. Ruggs; but I reckon now Til have to stay and tend to all these people. You say there's three or four more stage loads coming? Gosh!" "Don't worry about them," said Wallingford Walling-ford cheerily. "You can get right off the lot as boon as you please. Here's five hundred hun-dred in cash and the balance in a New York draft." "Gosh!" eaid Ruggs. "This is life. Mr. Wallingford. Several years of it, maybe. "Let's get that deed fixed up," replied Wallingford. "I suppose we need a lawyer." "I've got one right on the, place." Mr. Ruggs explained, with Borne pride. "He's one of my boarders." The lawyer, who proved to be a living shadow, lost no time in preparing the necessary neces-sary papers, and then BUI Ruggs went down to the station with his decrepit driver. The boarders were the next trouble. They wouldn't go. Very well: arrives Onion Jones the next day, and aT'er a session with Blackie behind closed dors and a little clever manipulation w ith a paint brush, Onion appeared on the porch with spots all over his face and his baid head and fainted. Smallpox ! The boarders left, in a hurry. Immediately things began to happen. Wallingford called the head carpenter to him. "Patch up that roof." he ordered. "Pi op up that old barn so It will Btand for one month and make It look like new. Splice that picket fence and build a million ml leu of wide porches around the house. Then t il tell you what next to do." To the head painter pain-ter he said, "Just start in and and paint, that's alL" To the head gardener, "Here's the place, fill up the lake and get busy." "Now comes the hardest part of It." said Wallingford at this point. "You stay here, Blackie, and doll the plaae all up like an eld man's bride, while I run in to Chicago and pick out a herd of Class A dimmer-resorters dimmer-resorters for our friend Charles Algernon. I'm sure going to give that pinrhead a run for his money." The job of "picking" summer boarders by offering free vacations to manicurists and the like was not so enFy as Wall ingford had anticipated, and at the end of the third day he was almost discouraged. He was standing at the b:tr of his hotel. muBing In more or less dejection over his poor luck, when a familiar but long-unheard voice bailed him, and he turned to find a good comedian of his Broadway acquaintance at his elbow. "Hello. Guyer !" said Wallingford heartily. "You're Just in time to save me from going the toboirran route; only a drunkard drinks alone, you know. What will you have, Danny?" "A sandwich and a glass of milk, with , piece of pie and a demi-tasse to follow, said Mr. Guyer In sepulchurral tones. "The company accepts the engagement with tears of graMtude. Wallingford. It's the heart interest that gets ub. When do we start?" "In the morning. I'U give you about three days to rehearse, and then I'll bring on the hick." "Rehearse? Oh. of course." "I thought you'd see the pretty white light. The thing must be properly cast, you know; old Ticker Tape, of La Salle Street, worth a million million dollars; old Persimmon Pucker, of Wall Street, worth a billion billion, then some just common, every-day rich people, marriageable sons, marralge-able marralge-able daughters, flirty wives with rich husbands hus-bands in the city, flirty daughters with blind aunts, and all the rest of it." "Say no more," said Mr. Guyer, smiling fondly as he caught the spirit of the thing. We'll write the piece in rehearsal, and I'll guarantee It to be a scream." When Mr. Wallingford brought Mr. Swivel to Pine Lake, by way of Chicago, two beautiful women boarded the train at the city by the stock-yards, and were no sooner ensconced in their seats than Wallingford hailed them with great joy. My dear Mrs. Torrence!" he exclaimed to the slightlv older of the two. "What a delightful de-lightful surprise to find you here, for it's two weeks too early to hope that you are bound for Pine Lake. Howdy. Miss Torrence; married yet?" N "Not yet," laughed Miss Torrence. ."Maybe we can still get rid of her. If you have the usual assortment of nice young men at Pine Lake. Tou may suppose that we're going to your delightful place just for that purpose. If you like," laughed her. mother, stealing an instantly suppressed Inquiring In-quiring glance at Mr. Swivel. Immediately Wallingford presented that flattered young man to the ladies. Never in all his experience had Mr. Charles Algernon met wltth so warm and cordial a reception from ladies of such evident breeding, breed-ing, taste and wealth. At last, through Wallingford, that jovial prince of good fellows, fel-lows, he was coming Into his own, and all the wav to Pine Lake he monopolized the attentio'n of the wife and daughter of a supposititious Rodley Torrence, supposititious suppositi-tious traction magnate. Finally they reached I'ine Lake, and the ladies hurried away to dress for the next act. They were scarcely missed. Across the lawn, down flower-bordered walks and beneath be-neath bending boughs, sauntered bright-eyed girls in ravi?hlng garments, who cast shy but languishing glances at the handsome stranger. Upon the rails of the wide porch hung -draperies of rich, warm coloring, and In the hammocks lolled yet other startling beauties, who. though remarkably careless as to ankl.'s. made a succession of living-beauty living-beauty tableaux -vhich were wonderfully appealing to Mr. Swivel. All this was In ;he very flrt afternoon. In the evening there were raviNhing gowns and ivory shoulders and languorous music, and, about an hour after dinner, Charles Algernon found himself blissfully settled down in a dark corner of the porch for s Suddenly an ominous sound smote upon Wallingford's ears. Back in the parlor they were singing, in full chorus, "Give My Regards Re-gards to Broadway," and there was a sob in the voices! "Great Scott:' said Wallmgrord. "If that bunch of aotors and actresses are getting mushy about Broadway, its an over." He hurried back to the house and had the music switched, but the incident had made him thoughtful, and he called Mr. Swivel one side. , ' "Well, old top; how goes it?" he asked. "Great!" said Mr. Swivel. "Great! Never had such a night in my life." "How would you like to own the place. The eyes of Mr. Swivel narrowed a trine. "Well" he said, "I might dicker with you. "What do you eay about going to Chicago in the morning, then?" suggested Wallingford. Walling-ford. Again Swivel hesitated a moment. Give me just an hour to think it over," he said. Wallingford, of course, gave him the hour, but he looked In anxiety after Mr. Swivel as that young man walked back to the hammocK where he had left Miss Van Vohies. It was after the concert was over that Mr. Swivel came to Wallingford, all smiles, and full even of eagerness. "Sure thing," eaid he. "We'll take that Chicago trip. Eefore Wallingford started in the morning, morn-ing, he paid a visit to the sleeping apartment apart-ment of Mr. Danny Guyer. "Well, old boy, said he; "how does this look to you?" and before the half -opened eyes of the eminent comedian he held a large roll of real money. "Count it over," invited Wallingford. "It will do you good. It represents extra fare train transportation, berths, meals, and a liberal allownce for Incidentals from here to the corner of Broadway and Forty-second Street, for the entire cast of "Stinging a Live One, or Staging the Lone Pine Tree!" "Three cheerM" said Mr. Guyer. throwing off the covers. "I suppose we are to get an earlv train.' "It's us," replied Wallingford, with a chuckle and a grandiloquent wave of the hand. "The hick and Blackie Daw and yours truly are on our way, for the gold-extracting process from the raw ore begins today in Chicago. So. good-bye, old boy. Bid good-bye to the rest of the company for us. and thank ihem; and good luck to everyone every-one of them." When Wallingford hurried out to the stage, he' found" unexpected addition to the part v, in the person of smiling and confident con-fident Miss Tottle Van Vorhies. "1 have to meet papa In Chicago," she sweetly observed to Wallingford, "and I am certainly the lucky one to find that I am poing to have such good company. I know you boys? will all be nice to me." Wallingford and Daw exchanged glances of wonder, and then, as by common impulse, they cast black looks at the back of the neck of Charles Algernon Swivel. "Why, say, Blackie," declared Wallingford. when they had a moment together In the f moking compartment; "If this unbaked lob tries to put over any trick or hold back any of his own coin. Til have him pinched. They f 4..' : r ! -. , n ' a;-? i v , - ; ; , Will I - I :'- - ' ... i;-,W:,v j, f 1 . , fM . ' : : . I ' - K ' " -! ' . t . t---- w v, U 1 "Genlomonl mj 'vifo." ;?or once the u.unllr relf-poiiood Mr. VaHingfori wau flu.torrrt. PnrV all Walllnefonl. "Won't you add Voul'c'ln't Ao H In jiwtlua to the balanco of the company." retumrd Ouyor. "What'B the ma"r with the rent of the company?" aHke.l Walllnn forrt. "Tou hnvent had a flivver, or you wouldn t be looking IiroMiioroim. trvAK$ my boy," said the other. "Wo have clothrs. and to R:irc, holh the men and tho women of u; but f0TheJdlvlnennro-of Inspiration hit WalllnK-ford WalllnK-ford at about th.it moment "I'J; f J""' did yo'l any?" ho demanded. "What woro tho coilumeB you attached?" "Modern. Hwell afiernoon Rowni, for the women; ntreet and 'venli.K r.lothe, or the men. Innlu.UnK H.-mnoln and outllta for a conntrv-chilt Hcene. ..0rr' 1,1 WalllnRford. with eairer en-thuhlamn. en-thuhlamn. "Tonlcht Ckuyer wo hnv food without fear. In the mornli.K we lift the mortj'are at your hotel, and all Bo on a p "nlo How would the momhera of your rompanv HUe to take a woek'H rest at a nr" "romitry reHOrt, at my expenee wear tho.e swell e.ontumes all over he lo t. ami then hlko hark to Hroadway. ""' nt y- "F,n-t aav n-V more Just yet." y " Mr (luyer. holding forth his hand, palm outward out-ward "I couldn't aland It. Where 1 the ntmlly you want murdered. Let's not to W'-Th'e family eonalnts of one stace-door Ink 1 of the kind who think that if hS 'Mt any of the women of 'm; pny to notion him, ll's heraune eaoh one I1 Trrald she'll ho found out by tho other man '"'I;;' "one of those- aald Mr. Ouyor with )nlte contempt. "ronalder h m a r. ly enrasnlnaled. How do you want It tlont ';'"s'lowr.ols"n and horrible alTonv I'V "k-,. "k-,. hi-, mon. v. 1 want "" h m " ,," " ,, r-r,,,nrt The reaort la all rea.'.v. p,l.i.p"d , dear to the iBMt. .lal. or roUK". but I want I !,', ,,'',rale It with n lot of clanay BuoU; and then " I tete-a-tete with s. particularly fetchlnK helr-ese. helr-ese. a MlflB Tottle Van Vorhtes. daufrhter of President Van Vorhies. of the Amalgamated Lead Corporation. Another than Mr. Hwlvel might have thousht that Miss Tottle's lips were too thin and firm that her chin was too sharp, her cheek bonea too prominent, and the blue of her eyes too cold. But what did Mr. Swivel know or care of those thlnica when ho saw the rounded ankles, and the tapering arm; In the display of which Mlsa Tottle was so Kenerous? lie liked, too, tho decided ways In which she had appropriated him and thought her hold possession of him really pretty; also he admired very much tho entertaining nalvetto with which she admitted ad-mitted him to immediate good . fellowship with her. Wallingford, who never allowed himself to ho Ignorant for a moment as to the whereabouts of Charles Algernon, pnssed that wiy with tho temporary Mrs. Torrence In keen delight. At some flippant remark which Mrs. Torrence nnide to him aa they parsed out of hearing, Wallingford chuckled heartily, and the chin of Miss Van Vorhies suddenly gavo a sharp upward tilt. "Your friend Wallingford gives mo a pang," she aaid. A rollicking song from the pnrlor hrought Miss Tottle to her feet at the same moment, end she hurried Into tho parlor with her protege. The next dav was hut a repetition and an amplification or the first. Heautlful women Inside of stunning gowns were everywhere, nnd these offered him a full and easy good fellowship such as he had never hoped for In his wildest and mcisl daring moments. In the morning there had hcen a long, quiet ramble over tho place with Miss Tottle. and In tho evening she m on o P"l I r.ed him ngnln. Wnlllnrford, seeing him sn fe In a hammock with her. went contentedly about his business busi-ness and' walked away from the house n little distance villi lllni kle to rpeculate ultll lev upon how well his flail wan en tight, nnd Just how much they would he able to extract ex-tract from Charlei Algernon, when tho moment mo-ment came. iavo atrenuoua law, rtt Chicago nfalngi rubes Staving money." "I told you about it." growled Hlackio "The only way to handle a mm like this la to show him the bait, then take It right away from him until he puts up for It. Even a born Idiot like Swivel, if you leave htm nlone with a gold brick, Is going to finally tumble, that It would be a cuto Idea to eptil acid on It. Well, that's what happened. You allowed Charles Algernon to slay over two days, and ho tested the brick." "Yoj're the original 1-told-you-so-kld, nil right," declared Wallingford; "but like all the rest of them, you tell what's the mat. ter and don't tell what to do. C.o away, and let nie think." Before tho trip was over, however, he concluded con-cluded that ho had heen doing Mr. Swivel an Injustice, for Mr. Swivel paid no more nttentlon to Mlsa Tottle than did either of tho others. He wns cheerful and chatty all tho way, and corroborated his Intention to purchase l'ino laike, by mentioning certain cer-tain tritllng Improvements he meant to make In that pleasant health-resort. When they arrived In Chicago he bade Miss Tottle Tot-tle a pleasant good-bye, and went with the other n.en to their hotel. He even permitted per-mitted them to go to his hank with him after lunch, and see the transfer of his account. As they came out of the hank however, Charles Algernon slopped on the steps and bade them good-byo. "You'll have to excuse mo Tor about on hour," ho said, "I have a little private business to look after." "Hut we were to have our talk Immediately Immedi-ately after you had heen to tho bank" protested pro-tested Walllngrord. 1 "1 shall be compelled to excuse mvoelf for one hour, Insisted Mr. Swivel. "ltut I want to get out of town this afternoon," after-noon," declared Wallingford. "1 shall meet you at tho hotel t two o'clock," staled Mr. Swivel, will, huiiuIkIuk cnolnesH. and walking down the step,, he luillcd a tnxt nnd drove away. "Follow him. JImmyr' exclaimed Blackla. i clutching Wallingford's arm. "Follow him!'' There goes fifty thousand dollars:" "There goes the money, all right; or part of It," agreed Wallingford; "but there', 0 ufse to follow him, for he Is coming back." "I'll bet you a quart of the special." "We'll go right back to the hotel m4 order it, then ; because you lose." At precisely two o'clock there was a rlny at the bell of Wallingford's apartments. Mr. Swivel was below to see Mr. Wallingford. "Bend him right up." said Wallingford, and he passed Blackie the wine check to 81Vhen Wallingford opened the door In response re-sponse to a present knock, however. Mr. fcwivel was not alone. With him was Misi , Tottie Van Vorhies! ' "Permit me, gentlemen, to introduce Mr',. Swivel," said Charles Algernon, beaming with joy. "Swivel, Swivel!" chlded wallingford, 6haking a reproving finger at the happy bridegroom. "I never thought you'd turn out to be a mere fortune hunter!" and h 1 cast a malignant glance at Mies Tottie. For once the usually 6elf-posaess6d ilr. Wallingford was flustered. "You needn't spring any of that guff," said Mrs. Swivel sweetly, taking possession of the best chair in the room, and spreading her skirts picturesquely. "Charlie knows all about it. He knows that I'm a show girU ' and he married me under my own name, which was Molly Smith. Also Charles know, all about the plant you put up there at Pine Lake for his special benefit." "Exactly," agreed Charles Algernon, speaking in a surprisingly brisk tone. Now, let's get down to business. We're her, to take Pine Lake off your hands. Now. how much do you want?" Wallingford bent smooth brows upon Mr. and Mrs. Charles Algernon. "Fifty thou-eand thou-eand dollars," said he. Miss Tottie laughed with keen enjoyment. "You got to cancel on that," she said. "1 know you figured on a large chunk of Charlie's pile, but he's taken some braid into the company -since then." Charlie smiled delightedly, as if his wife had paid him a compliment, and he patted her upon a plump shoulder. "So I see," said Wallingford slowly. "Well, how much does the brains of tb company propose to pay for Pine Laker and he looked pleasantly at the bride. "Just cost," Charles Algernon told hin, the wrinkles around his eyes becoming hard and sharp. "You paid five thousand for the place, and you put in about five thousand oa improvements. "So you are actually willing to pay m ten thousand dollars for It?" returned Wail- . ingford. fingering his big chin thoughtfully. ' "Ten thousand dollars. Not a cent more," Chirruped Mrs. Charles Algernon. "All right then," said Waiilngford. w!th sudden determination; I don't care to selL I'm no piker, and I can pocket my losses hit a good loser." Watching carefully, he caught the slighter: slight-er: trace of a startled look passing between Mr. and Mrs. Swivel, and saw that he coxd 8lt tight. w e we mtgnt increase tnat oner a little bit." suggested Charles Algernon after a painful wait, "All right," said Mrs. Swivel. "We'll mak It fifteen thousand, and that la the top figure." Wallingford looked down upen her smiling smil-ing confidence. Now he was sure of his rround. "Will you please tell me," he demanded, de-manded, "Why you are willing to pay fifteen fif-teen thousand dollars for sixty acres cf land that won't grow pumpkins, and a house that Isn't worth burning up? You know it's no summer resort." "Well, you see. I think you're wrong about it being no good as a summer resort." explained ex-plained Mr. Swivel, with a glibnesa which did not deceive Wallingford. I've always wanted to go Into the summer-resort business, busi-ness, and I think we can advertise this place in a way that will get us good trade." Both of them smiled at Wallingford brightly and Ingeniously. "You'll pay me forty thousand dollars for Pine Ike." "observed "that gentleman, snui-lng snui-lng In return. Mrs. Swivel laughed uproariously. "You'll pay me forty thousand dollars cash for the place." repeated Wallingford. "You won't? Fifteen thousand is the 'limit? All right. Swivel, I'll make you a proposition. Til run down to Pine Lake and look it over. If I decide after that not to keep the r'.ace, I'll meet you here at this hour day after to-morrow and take your offer of fifteen '.housand." He went to the telephone: he inquired for the next train to Pino I-ake; he ordered two tickets purchased for that place; he ordered nis bill sent up. a valet to pack his hiP-S'lge. hiP-S'lge. and a porter to remove it. It was r.et until the porter came for the luggage that the Swivels gave in. "Can you give us a clear deed?" asked Charles Algernon. ' There'll be no trouble about that." wall-Jngford wall-Jngford politely assured him. "for I have "nwyer right downstairs." "So have we," promptly returned Charlei .ilgernon. When everything had been arranged ,n ship Bhape, when Wallingford had put the rheck In his pocket and Mr. Swivel had put ;he deed In his. the triumphant moment arrived ar-rived for which the bridal couple had bean valtlng. "Now. you big grafter, I'll tell you ths Jrutb." said Swivel, every little wrinkle In ais oily face twu'.tlng Itself into ki""" 'You've Just sold a peach Rt a lemon pri That peculiar smell at Pine Lake Is That land down there Is Just dripping with It. My father was an oil prospector, ana 1 was raised In the business. When I ""' kid I w.-vs dragged from one otl-fteld to tnj other, and can smell crude oil further eft than a buazard can see a dead horse- I WA scared stilt you'd get on to it before we away from there." ' "o to It. Swivel" replied Walllns'''rd urbanely. "Hope you make a fortune. had my education In the mining business, from oil to diamonds, vears ago. and 1 want to say to you. right now, that there smell In tho universe that 1 wouldn't for thirty thousand dollars1 profit. , later, when the smoke of battle cleared awnv. Blackie Daw was though'"" and silent. "I don't know about that in' Lake deal. J. Kufus." ho said. "It's ' l0" an even break that wo got the wrong 1"a of It." ,r m "We got nil that Mr. Swivel Mole fr . us." Immediately spake up Fannie V nl.YJ always rea.lv to defend Y a lllng ford. 1 Wardens were on the swt within t""" mlnutea after the Swivels bad gene. "There's not much over for the ripens ,,'u' considered Violet. ... "That Isn't the point." returned 7'"' unconsciously patting Violet's hand wanted to sting Charles for reasons of own " y Wallingford. resting back In a b',C,, '.V'a chair, paused In the operation of Hk'"' "," , long, black cigar, to close his eyes chuckle. -Suppose you'hnd to takejo',,, tire Beaumont oilfield, and Moil? ":, ,v-It ,v-It for life he suggested "No. I'hir' whstever turns up. we stung him'" ,,r" "But suppose thev do tied an olt-S"""" protested Blsckle. much worried about " "tt can't gush much," asserted ford, crossing hi legs In perfect ' ', tlon. "Win, rou row apprentice, do" ' , know 1 Invented that smell? VP 1 eoggr. wet Held. Kick of th' wve.1.. Poured two barrels of crude petrc'ftoo (Another l,rninr, ! |