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CHAPTER XIII

ADELAIDE JONES brought to the Sandages first news of her father's amazing coup against the Irontown Bank. She flew over in her motor, embraced and kissed her neighbours.

"You see," she cried. "Dad was right—he's always right!"

Mrs. Sandage was so full of joy she could hardly speak. Tears stood in her eyes.

"A-Abner said Mr. Jones w-would fix ever'thing. . . ."

"Imagine," cried Beatrice shrilly, "the bank's his'n, the railroad's his'n, ever'thing's his'n."

"And he just thought of a way to do it all!" cried Adelaide with a wriggle of ecstasy, and she embraced her friends rapturously again.

"Jim shore won't lose his office now," blinked Mrs. Sandage.

"Oh, no-o," echoed Adelaide, squeezing her hand. "I drove by the—by the house where Mr. Sandage is staying. I thought I would bring him right over, but Mr. Bascom said there were some forms to go through with yet—it made me so mad!"

"Wouldn't he let him come!" cried Mrs. Sandage, amazed.

"No, he said everything wasn't settled yet," snapped Adelaide with a flirt of her head. "But I know it is. I left Abner to bring Jim right on over as soon as it's settled."

At this point the doorbell rang and the women rushed to welcome the released prisoner, but at the door stood Mr. Pratt, the drug clerk.

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