Part 9 (2/2)

Everything was settled on that basis. It would take about ten days to get the place fitted up as the boys wanted it, Mr. Morton told them. In the meantime there were many little things that needed to be done in which two handy lads like Randy and Pep might help. They and Jolly went to the train to see Frank and Vincent off the next morning. Two hours later Ben Jolly took a train in another direction, bound for Fairlands and carrying messages from the boys to their home folks and friends.

Part of the fixing up of the store room Mr. Morton had agreed to do at his own expense. There were, however, innumerable details that fell to the lot of the boys themselves. There were rolls of matting to buy for the center aisle, and the stage was to be built under Randy's supervision. They had decided to use the old name, ”Wonderland,” so as to utilize the ornate electric sign they had at Fairlands, and Pep was given charge of having this same name placed in a decorative way on the two front windows.

n.o.body could work with Randy and Pep without coming under the influence of their suns.h.i.+ny natures. Randy was willing, accommodating and tireless when he liked a job. Pep was no laggard, either, and in addition he kept up such a lively chatter and made so many funny remarks that he had Mr.

Morton grinning half the time.

The result was that not only did the owner of the place do all that he had agreed to do, but did it just as the boys wanted. Then again when it came to things not in his contract, he supplied the material voluntarily and ended up by helping the boys at their tasks.

At the end of three days Randy and Pep prided themselves on having accomplished wonders. They had added several genuine comforts to their living quarters at the rear and had pretty well spread the news over Seaside Park that a first-cla.s.s photo playhouse was soon to be opened.

A letter came from Frank Sat.u.r.day morning. It told of his busy hours in the city and referred to Vincent as a splendid help in introducing him among the motion picture supply men. He sent on a bundle of film and song posters from which Pep could scarcely keep his hands. Frank mentioned some of the movies accessories he had purchased and told of some novel features in the way of films for which he had contracted.

”I tell you, Pep, we're in for the best or nothing this time; eh?”

questioned Randy, almost as much excited as his chums over the prospects of the new Wonderland.

”Oh, I'm 'way up in the clouds all of the time,” piped Pep. ”Why, I'll feel like a girl just going into society. I'm going to call it a short day and quit. There are some groceries to order, so I'll attend to that and we'll take in the beach this evening.”

”Yes, we've earned a little recreation, I think,” agreed Randy.

Pep started off, whistling like some happy lark. It was then five o'clock in the afternoon and he was due to return in half an hour.

Double that time pa.s.sed on, however, yet he did not appear.

”Wonder why Pep doesn't show up?” ruminated Randy. ”It's time he did, as we wanted to get an early start.”

At half past six Randy was nervous and a little put out. At seven o'clock he put on his cap and started to lock up to go in quest of his missing comrade.

Just as he came out on the broad planking leading from the boardwalk to the entrance to the store, a man hailed him. He was a stout, lumbering old fellow whom Randy had seen before.

”Hi!” he hailed, ”you remember me; don't you?”

”Why yes,” nodded Randy. ”You are the man Mr. Jolly traded his rig with for our furniture.”

”That's it,” nodded the man. ”I say, I thought I'd come and tell you. It was near my place that the accident happened.”

”What accident?” challenged Randy sharply.

”Automobile-that young fellow that's jos.h.i.+ng and jollying all the time--”

”You mean Pep-Pepperill Smith?” asked Randy.

”That's him, I remember hearing Jolly call him by that name. Well, it was him that got hurt and--”

”Hurt!” cried Randy, alarmed at the word-”When? How? Where?”

”About an hour ago, by an automobile in front of my place,” was the reply.

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