PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 5

PAID IN FULL

~ NEW SERIAL STORY =

by H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued.)

. . In the next few minutes W inn found that Preston had been beating him in several sections. “Well?” David asked the question as the other put the papers down. “Not so bad,” John stated. “Pretty good, John, all things considered!” “Maybe, but I shall pull up on you this year ” “That’s what I’ve come to talk to you about. My shop and goodwill are for sale.” “I’m not so sure I want to buy now,” Winn said cautiously. “I did say in the past that I might maKe you an offer, but now—well, I don't know. I’m not so young as I used to be, and now there doesn’t seem much chance of Viola getting married, what should I want with two businesses? The second would he more trouble than it was worth. 1 might just as well sit back in my chair and take things easy!” David rose to his l'eet. “If that's so, I won’t waste any more of your time,” he observed. “I’ve got to get going.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that I must get in touch with my agent! I want to sell my business, and I want to do it quickly. I dare say one of the big firms ” A startled look came into old John’s eyes at that. It was the very last thing he wanted—to have oue of the big multiple firms coming down there. That was what ne and Preston had always been nervous about. Actually, he was just as keen to buy Preston’s concern as ever he had been; but he was one of those who would make a bargain, even if he lay on his death-bed. He i pointed to the chair. “Sit down, man—sit down!” he said sharply. “The way you go on! A fine sort of friend you are—to talk of bringing those big shops down here and cutting us all up. I thought we had agreed about that long ago.” “So we had,” David replied, “but I want to sell, and I’ve come to you with the offer, as it was always arranged I should—although—” and David Preston’s strong voice trembled—“l never thought that the time would come when I should actually have to do it. But I want the money, John, and that’s the truth, I want the money at once!” “How much?” “Seven hundred and fifty pounds.” John Winn threw back his head and laughed. “The man’s mad!” he declared, addressing the fireplace. “He knows perfectly well that the business is not worth more ” “John, the business is well worth every penny of seven-fifty, and well you know it!” Old John rose to his feet. He looked straight at the other. "l\ow i’ll ask you a question,” he said. “If you followed out your threat and offered to one of the big firms, even if they were interested ” t “They would be interested,” David put in quietly, “when they saw that balance sheet.” “All right, then say they were—would they be offering you that sum?” “I don’t know. I should try for it.” “Five hundred!” John Winn’s mouth opened and shut like a trap. “I’ll give you my original offer—five hundred pounds.” “It’s not enough, John.” “It’s all you’ll get.” “Then I can’t sell.”

There was another pause. “I don’t know what’s at the back of your mind,” John Winn said presently, “and I can’t tell. You’ve got something, I’m sure, or you wouldn’t be wanting to sell out, lock, stock, and barrel at a moment’s notice like this. I expect it’s something to do with that son of yours. Perhaps you want the money for him? Perhaps ” “I can’t give you the full particulars,” David told him. “Don’t ask me to. But I need the money; need it quickly. I can raise a hundred, and if you’ll let me have six huni dred and fifty I’ll give you my word | that I’ll pay you back in instalments. I That’ll mean you’re paying six i hundred for the stock and good- • will of Preston’s—and it’s cheap at I the price!” i It was cheap at the price—John ■ Winn knew that well enough. He also felt pretty certain that there A vas something sorely amiss with D avid Preston. Now that he came to look closely at him there was no taking the troubled expression : on h'is face. ; “iVi come over first thing to- ! morro.V,” he said, “and go over the shop a. r id check up the stock with you. Vhen if everything’s in order, we'l 1 go the lawyer and get the mahter dra n U P» l e §al and piopei and I’ll mak * y° u out a cheque lor six hundred ai.' d . Pounds. Leave it until tomorro.* v * . „ At ten o’clock th following morning John Winn entei Davicl s snop, and by one o’clock t. agreement had been signed, and thV cheque was in David Preston’s pocket. ’ . I There was the question oi ! household furniture, but Da\ ncl liacl decided that he would store this. / One thing John Winn had disc “ ered, David was leaving the tow. n * He was going to London, and this time it did not appear likely that I he would be returning. , It was only when the matter had ; been completed that Viola Winn j ! heard that her grandfather was the j i owner of Preston’s. . “You’ll have to go over each day,” ■ ! Mr Winn told her, “and keep an eye I I on the shop, while I attend to this I have diearned about it, but 1 nevoi really u.ouguc I should get tne ownership of both shops. I’ve got a i bargain, too—little doubt about that Now then, my lass,” —he spoke sharply—“what are you crying for?” j Viola h>d taken out her handkerchief and. was dabbing her eyes with it. CTo be continued daily)